The Bret Bielema Show 09-04-24
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Inside Fighting Illini Athletics
The Bret Bielema Show 09-04-24
- One, two, three. - Welcome to the Brett Bielma Show. On the Busei Bank Alignai Sports Network from Leafield, presented by Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Also brought to you by U of I Credit Union, the Illinois Signature Cashback Card, introducing cashback with the official credit card of the Fighting Alignai. Carl, the official healthcare provider of the Fighting Alignai. Coke Zero Sugar, is Coke Zero Sugar the best Coke ever? Try and decide, and buy. State Farm, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Now, here's the voice of the Fighting Alignai, Brian Barnhart. - Hey, good evening everybody. Welcome to the Brett Bielma Radio Show. We come here way tonight from the University of Illinois campus, the fantastic Smith Center is where we are on the patio out here tonight, on a beautiful night. It's gonna be a great night for football, coming up on Saturday night, against the Kansas J Hawks. Sellout Crowd, gonna be at Memorial Stadium. We got a nice crowd here tonight, here right by the Putt Putt Golf Course that you have here at the Smith Center, so very nice. - That is the Briella and Brexley Putt Putt Course. They spend a lot of time. They don't wanna come see Dad at work, they wanna go play Putt Putt Golf. - Well, good to see you, how are you? - I'm good, very good. I'm excited, got a week one under our belt, came out on the right end and excited about the growth of our guys and put in a good week of work here today, it was Wednesday's practice, tomorrow's kind of a shining polish Thursday and then we'll obviously do some walk on Friday, but very excited to play Kansas on Saturday. - Yeah, got back to the normal Monday, it's Monday, Tuesday, it's Tuesday, you were mapping all that out the week before, so. - I thought our guys handled it, really. You know, to play a Thursday night game in the middle of the first week of classes, you know, for us, you know, the Monday practice was really the equivalent to a Tuesday, which is our heaviest work day, and to have that be in combo platter with the first day of classes, I don't care if you got a first grader or a second grader or a guy that's in his third year of college that first day of class usually throws them off a little bit and our guys handled it and championed it and Thursday obviously came out and played a pretty good 60 minute game. - Yeah, we'll talk about the Eastern game, we're gonna look forward to the Kansas game, of course. On a few of the tables, we do have some questions with a couple of my pins up there, so you can write some questions, we'll bring those up, maybe get to some of those here from our audience here at the Smith Center. - Some easy questions. - Some easy questions, that's right, that's what he always says, yeah. But when you first got the job, one of the first places Josh Whitman brought you to was this building. - Yeah. - And here you are four years later, but it's just a fabulous building. - It is, you know, when Josh first called, we had our first conversation and obviously started a lot of thoughts in my mind where it was and, you know, I'd been looking at the Illinois job, kind of waiting for that moment, that opportunity, but obviously when Josh called me and made things a little real and he and I probably talked to a good, maybe 45 minutes to an hour, introductory conversation, set up a Zoom, I believe for the next day, but by the time I got downstairs, my wife had been through every website connected with the University of Illinois athletic department and she was showing me this building and several others and then to walk into our first day here, right before the presser and I remember walking through the locker room with my girls and met a couple of players, but also came up here and realized this, this is a building that is built for one reason to be a successful football program. The Smith Center is 100% football. We have a lot of people come through here, but really it's just housed for football. Up on this main level is a lot of what we call the learning area, right? So all of, as you look right across the hallway here that connects into all of our meeting rooms. On the other side of that is a hallway that leads to our football staff, our support staff on the lower level that a lot of people, I'm sure, will win through there. That's the work area, the training room, the weight room, nutrition center, walks out to our indoors. So the, really, the functionality of this building is second to none. - Yeah, as a player, student, you could almost live here. I mean, you come in, it's got the facilities here to work to train, to eat, to play a little bit here. I mean, it's, I think they're bowling, they're bowling a couple of bowling areas down there, yeah. I mean, you could do everything in here. - Yeah, funny story. So Mark Torsani, our chief of staff. I believe it was in year one, maybe in the fall. And exactly what you just said was happening. There was a couple of players that were living here. They were sleeping. I'm like, what are you talking about? He said, well, the night custodians are coming through and, you know, they can't clean the certain areas because players are sleeping in there, right? So we had a conversation with those players that we also have cameras, which made it very easy. They were making their smoothie at about 10, 30, 11 and calling a night about midnight. Nothing hard. They just didn't want to be late, to be honest. And then it was probably another year later and we had a young man that was, we were having five, 30 a.m. workouts during the winter. And we had another young man that had joined us at that point and he was actually sleeping under, down in the player's lounge. There's a hoop machine that, you know, one of those that, you know, you shoot the hoops and little basketballs and all that. And he was sleeping underneath there because he liked the hum of the machine as it went on overnight. And I'm like, holy Jesus, this is at a whole other, whole another level of commitment. So it has happened, but we don't condone it. - No, we don't recommend it. But tonight's show is brought to you by Bud Light, proud sponsor of Illinois Athletics. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Of course, the news this week on the sellout and you said a really good thing. I think this week you said, hey, that's great. We want to make this consistent. Consistently do this. I'm just great that it is sold out. - It is. I'm excited for the fans. Obviously very excited for our players, an opportunity to play in front of a crowd like this, an opponent like this, just a dream come true, especially the second week of the season in this world of non-conference games and all that goes into it to play a team. It's in the top 20 and they've deserved it. They've earned it. Obviously the rematch game from a year ago. Really excited for everybody to get to the game on Saturday night at six o'clock and see our guys play their best football and hopefully be able to have some success and give a reason for everybody to cheer. - Yeah, and you mentioned the rematch games. You keep a chart of those. The games where we played last year, what we did in the rematch game. And I know this is one that we want to get back. - Yeah, we have 12 scheduled games and six of those are rematch games. This is the first of six. So we're excited. Obviously when the athletic department, this was before I got here scheduled this contest. I think both of us were in a different position. Teams that weren't really accomplished in a lot, right? So they formed this two game series, not knowing the growth of both programs. Obviously the respect that Coach Leibold has gained in college football and what we've been able to build here. I know we haven't been to where we exactly want to be, but there's a lot of positive steps in the right direction. I think our guys are excited for this weekend. - All right, it's Illinois and Kansas coming up at six o'clock on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. We'll take a break here. We're gonna talk about Eastern Illinois game. We're gonna talk about the Kansas Jayhawks. And also we have two player guests tonight, Luke Altmeyer and Pat Bryant, who were pretty busy the other night and did very well. - Absolutely. - So we're looking forward to that. So we'll talk to those two young men coming up in a little bit. But first, this time out, this is the Coach Bila Macho presented by Bud Light, Busey Bank, a line-eye sports network from Learfield. (bell rings) - Some days you hit snooze, but not today. Today you have to go on a run to get burgers for the tail game. You've got to haul something heavy, a cooler stocked with Bud Light. And you've got beer and football, nothing is hard. - Until the other team scores. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly, 21 Plus, copyright 2024 and Heiser Bush, Bud Light beer, St. Louis, Missouri. - In the heartland where ambition thrives, there are those who are made and those who are made for more. Just like the Alainai on game day, Klaus, a leading producer of Ag Equipment, unleashes the power of ambition in the field, discover why our cutting edge machinery and unwavering support aren't just a promise. They're a commitment to your success because at Klaus, we know you are made for more. Visit your Klaus dealer or clas.com. - This is Coke Zero Sugar. Could I be the best Coke ever? Try and taste with your ears. Hear those bubbles. Imagine them tingling on your top. Visit deliciousness. Listen to that cascading liquid, a mouth-watering waterfall. Here's this to be tasty, zero sugar, crisp, refreshing, and ice-gold. Is Coke Zero Sugar the best Coke ever? Try and decide. - Bruce, Bill, how's business? Booming, bountiful bushels of soybeans you're boasting. Boatloads of bushels, but how? Bags of Zetavo soybean seed, bags of Zetavo soybean seed, bunches of them bunches of bushels from bags, huh? You betcha that's a breakthrough being to boggle the brain. Bill, Bruce, best we give it a break. An innovative seed packed with in-list E3 trade technology and award-winning varieties for yields that keep growing and growing. Zetavo is seed-done right. Always read and follow label directions. (upbeat music) - Right here at his second intent for the 49, here's the Prince of the Rhine Fagon Big Hole right side. 40, 35, 30, and out of bounds, close to the 20 yard line. Clapping his hands on Meyer. He's gonna fake it to Fagon. Throws to the end zone. One, touchdown, Illinois and Bryant. 15 yards, he had seven of those a year ago and he lights up the scoreboard first in 2024. Pat Bryant got open, good fake by all Meyer. - Yep, and those two young men to be with us here in a little bit, Luke Almeier and Pat Bryant. First touchdown of the year, appropriately enough to those two guys against Easter. - I like the way it started and hopefully gonna like the way it ended. But yeah, those two guys, you're gonna enjoy talking to them too. Well, obviously really good players, but who they represent off the field. And you know, obviously Pat's been with us since I got here. I think a tremendously buffet. He committed here and stayed true to that before I was even named a head coach. I got named on Friday. He actually signed two days earlier on Wednesday to come here and hit the ground run and played immediately, but the growth from him, you know, over the last couple of years, especially, but just since January and Isaiah, in case he walked out of that wide receiver room, he took over a leadership role in that room that's been special, but then also to be elected captain, you see the voice that he's had on the entire team. And then Luke obviously joining us a year ago and the growth, I think the experiences he had last fall to get where he is today has been pretty special to watch and hopefully the best you have to come. - That second touchdown that Pat had, that was not an easy catch. - No, no, I worked with him specifically on that stroke to turn around and get that foot down. But yeah, it's kind of just, you know, it's fun as a coach as to watch guys that perform on Saturday, the way you see him perform during the week. And, you know, Pat's been making great catches all throughout last spring to this fall. And Luke's been having a nice touch on the ball and those guys have obviously performed a special connection that hopefully is going to continue to be rewarded. - And it's one of those things that during the summer workouts, and I'm sure we'll talk about this with them, but working together seven on sevens, all the different things that you do during the summer that builds that trust and that repertoire. - Well, you know, Luke came in in January a year ago, but, you know, when you're first, a transfer coming in, you're getting your feet wet on everything. And, you know, obviously there was, you know, other receivers, you know, Casey and Isaiah, kind of strong guys, right? So Pat, I know it was building a relationship, but nothing like he was kind of the guy in the wide receiver room. And now that development, I think started as early as January, February, last year through the spring. And then this summer, you really saw it formulated. And then, you know, I took some quotes from those two guys, especially after the game. You can see the connection that they made in a way that's going to reward all of us, hopefully here for a really special season. - I'm guessing, as you get ready to chart a game, here's the things we'd like to accomplish in a game, and you were balanced with your passing. - Yeah. - And you're rushing. You got out of the game healthy. You got a lot of guys in, a lot of experience. I mean, as far as scripting it and saying, here's what we'd like to do, you got it done in the game. We kind of have keys to victory. And I always have it for the general team, but then the coordinators have one. And then Coach Step has one in the wide receiver alone room, Coach Lenny has one in the quarterback room. But one of the first offensive keys was to play clean football. And I thought overall offense, especially just, you know, there was a couple of penalties that were legit and real. But overall, I thought our offense, going against the defense that, you know, we knew it was going to be a certain look, but you never know exactly what they're going to bring that first game. I thought our guys performed to a premium. Yeah, and a clean game. You mentioned having a clean camp. I mean, I thought over, because you've seen it. I've seen it in first game. Sometimes you have more penalties than you'd like just from, and we still had a couple. We lined up, you know, off sides a couple of times. But other than that, it was pretty clean for the first game I thought. I was watching a TV copy of this game from a year ago, Kansas on the, well, last Friday, the day after our game. And they showed a stat of our game last year, the week before, and against Alito, we had, I believe, nine or 10 penalties. It was kind of ugly, and we were able to get the win. But I just know coming out of this game felt that our guys played that way. We've been talking about it all camp. And, you know, to see what you see at practice, carry over to the game, you know, is very rewarding, and hopefully a good indicator more to come. - Caden Fagan had 109 yards on 16 carries. That was, I mentioned during the game, it felt like a quiet, 100 yards. He picked up 20 here, 15 here. Next thing, you know, he's got 100. - Yeah, you know, Caden, again, I think these guys would tell you just a really good worker. You know, one of the things that people aren't writing about or talking about, right? So Caden, you know, obviously was heavily involved in our offense, you know, obviously in a run game, but also in past protection and different things. And then one of the greatest things that we saw on Saturday is he literally scored a touchdown and then ran down on kickoff and delivered a devastating blow. And that, you know, deep, normally your kickoff coverage is probably 75% defensive players. But, you know, we were at a point where we were trying to take him out of the game, 'cause we were, you know, on the beneficial side of a big score, but he was very upset if we tried to take him off kickoff coverage. So to see that dedication, it kind of reminds me, you know, during my coaching career, I've had a lot of really good running backs, been very blessed. But I remember when I made the remove to the SEC and the first time I was playing Alabama, I remember watching a play where they're running back scored on a, like a 50 yard touchdown run. They kicked a P.A.T. and then the tip of the guy that made the tackle on a 12 yard line was the starting tailback who had just scored a touchdown. And I'm like, okay, that's the concept of an entire team. And it kind of played out right in front of us with Kayden and also Josh McCray was running down a kickoff and Aiden Loffrey is on our kickoff team as well. And just a selflessness of that crew. Pat is first string on our punt as a flyer, which is the guy that puts on a perimeter that goes down and attacks the punter, you know, on our punt team or the punt returner. So just a lot of selfless acts by our guys. - Yeah, does that happen a lot? Have you done that a lot? Have you done that a lot? Have you done that a lot? But guys like Fagin and Loffrey and Kic coverage. - Well, it helps when you have a little bit of depth. - Yeah, I guess so. - You know, we knew going in that game there were gonna be five running backs we wanted to play. Obviously, Aiden and Kayden were gonna be the first two off the bench. And then we knew Josh was gonna get in the mix. I want to get Jordan Anderson, I want to get Khalil. And when we're completing a roster, right? And you have basically, you know, we have a 74 man travel roster, but really it gets down to, you know, a two deep on both sides of the ball, 22 offensive players, 22 defensive players. You probably have another, you know, that makes 44. You probably have another eight to 10 auxiliary players who play on sub packages. You know, so you know, you're getting into that 50 range. You got six specialists. So now your roster is really on game day, about 60 players are gonna help you win the game. And more of those 60 players can help you win in other roles that just increases the value. And, you know, I'd give it a lot of credit to those players to make that happen. - Yep, and he mentioned all the running backs that got in, good to see Josh get out there, Anderson. And then also, of course, with Khalil. - Yeah. - Valento, would you say he was quick as a hiccup? - He is quick. - He can also run. - That's pretty good. I've never heard that. - He can run under all these tables, not ducking, not all that tall, but he is very quick, very fast, very elusive. He reminds me a lot, I had a player by the name of James White who played for me in my past that just a very, very intelligent, highly functional. He's got a really good skill set with his hands and his feet, really not afraid of much. I'm sure Luke and Paddle at test. He's a very, very confident young man. He's from the Bay Area. Played some really good football and Phoenix. And, you know, we were very fortunate to get him here, so I was excited to get him out there. I think all these running backs kind of all kind of fit under different cookie cutters, right? They're not all the same. They all kind of have their own mold, their own unique skill set. And I think for us, defensively, I know when we're playing a team that has kind of several running backs with different styles, it's very hard to defend. So, I think to have five guys with unique skill sets plays a good fit. And fresh legs, if you're a defensive, here they come. Oh, here's this next guy. Here's another guy. And it just, you know, keep coming at him. Yeah, I think the volume of that. And then, you know, to give Luke credit and Pat, like our guys, you know, Pat, Malik Elsie was really another guy that was blocking downfield on run plays. It was played and had a high level of, you know, when you got a wide receiver, we know he likes to run those routes and catch those balls. But when they selflessly go out and block for those running backs that are doing the same thing for them in protection, that says a lot about the character of the team. All right, Alana, football upon us, catch the action, of course, of September 7th against Kansas. Thanks to our game sponsor, Coca-Cola, is Coke Zero Sugar the best Coke ever? Well, try and decide. We're with Coach Brad Bailey over here. We're at the Smith Center at the campus of the University of Illinois. We'll come back with Coach, get your questions in as well. We'll get to those in a little bit. Talk about Kansas coming up later in the hour, of course. We'll be visited by Luke Almire and by Pat Bryant. Straight ahead on the Brett Bielamous Show, presented by Bud Light on the UC Bank, a line-eye sports network from Learfield. Seeking quality materials for your upcoming project? Kirchner Building Centers is here to help. Our sales team excels in handling all your special order needs from custom cabinetry to unique siding, windows, and doors. No matter how specialized your request, we'll work with you to find the perfect solution. Trust our expertise and dedication for exceptional service and quality. Kirchner Building Centers, your partner in building excellence, and the official building supplier of the Fighting Align Eye. It's time to trade up. A job is just the place you go to work. 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For the 2024-25 college athletic season, you can follow the standings of your favorite team or alma mater at L Directors Cup on Twitter and online at TheDirectorsCup.com. Trophies will be awarded in June 2025 to the winning institutions in all college sports divisions, Learfield Directors Cup, the crowning achievement in college athletics. No score yet, but they're marching inside the Illinois 30, give to the tailback Pearson, breaks the tackle, down inside the right hash, ball is loose, I think, on the turf, and the ally and I have their first takeaway. Fumble Eastern Illinois. Seth Coleman falls on it, and the ally and I get a turnover to stop the Eastern momentum. All right, that was some of the action on the last game. We could go a Thursday night against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. The ally won their game 45-0 over Eastern Illinois. Meanwhile, Kansas won their game against Lindenwood. It's a similar margin, 48-3. We heard Seth Coleman there with a fumble recovery. Your thoughts on the defense overall, what you saw? Yeah, you know, obviously, one of the things that we knew going into it, their quarterback was preseason offensive player of the year. He can really throw it around. Did a lot of things last year. Had basically everybody back offensively, veteran players at all positions, all lined. So we knew on film they could move it around a little bit, but I really thought our guys responded, they got a couple of plays. We had four, I think five missed tackles on the day, and four of the five were in the first drive, right? I think one of the things that really became apparent to me is, you know, as those world of college footballs evolved, we only have two scrimmages in fall camp by NCAA rules, which I know sounds good and all of those into it, but you really, you get better at playing football by playing live football and just have that speed of the game. I think it was important to kind of get that first drive out of the way and kind of in a belt, and our guys really responded pretty well, so. But I thought we took the ball well. We were very opportunistic. Couple of strip attempts. We had a couple of interceptions. Obviously, Miles was, you know, spot on in that first reading break. We were in a little cover two. He baited a quarterback and a throw and made a great play, and then obviously a newcomer, Tori Cox. We were playing a little cover two. He was rolled up in the boundary. He read the screenplay, pulled up in and reacted, and made a good play, so I was really excited to see that. Well, one guy, the special teams coverage, I thought, was good, too, on the kickoff. And Luke Zardsen. Yeah. I mean, that guy's everywhere. Yeah, he's-- He was our special teams MVP. He's, you know, came in as a non-scholarship player, has come in and just played his tail off. You know, a year ago at this time, he was literally on our look team against our guys. And every day of practice, we'd be like, well, man, Luke Zardsen really has done a great job. Luke Zardsen, Luke Zardsen. So about midway through, we got some devastated injuries, you know, got them in a certain position. So worked him into his role that he's in now. And I believe he's a four-core starter for us. I think he starts on all four phases of the kicking game just extremely dependable, smart. You know, he was from Poucho's high school. And so we knew coming in, he came from good stock, and it's just a really impressive player for us. And his parents sell ice cream? Yeah, they own a DQ. They own a Dairy Queen, as we know. And it's funny, you know, you have a feeling as a coach when you meet kids and you're around them. And I'd-- you know, Luke, we knew who he was. We was a V-W-O, so we're a preferred walk-on, and I'd watch film on him. But really didn't know a lot about him. And he came into one of the first team meetings and kind of a spin-off of America Got Talent, AGT. We have an IGT, Illinois Got Talent. So in the beginning of team meetings, we have a little opportunity, I mean, if there's a low, or if I feel like we need some energy, we'll have the newcomers come up and, you know, they can tell a joke, they can sing a song, they can do a trick, you know. So this year, Tanner Heckle, he got up and juggled, which was pretty impressive. A couple guys got up and sang, some of them probably shouldn't. But one of the first things that happened, Luke Zardsen got up in front and told a joke that we can't tell here. But it was pointed at Jay Kanson, who at that point was kind of the-- he was the big man on campus, right? He was a BMOC. And he went right at Jay Kanson, and he's a freshman walk-on linebacker. And I'm like, all right, for that guy to do that, he's got something to him. And it's kind of played that way out ever since. Yeah, it's funny how you learn about young men that way. It's crazy. It really is. All right, Kanson's the opponent. A lot of their guys are back, because of COVID and because the team has stayed together. They've got 30 seniors, I think, on this team. So a lot of the familiar names we saw last year are back, again, including the quarterback. Yeah, very veteran team, offense, defense. I would say the biggest thing, their quarterback drives everything, not just the offense, but when he's been there in the lineup, they've been very productive. You go back to 2022, they started off 5-0. Obviously, he was the quarterback during that scenario. He had to leave for a couple games of that injury, and they went 1-7 the next several games. And then in 2023, last year, they started off 4-0. He left for the year. He only played in three games last year. And they were 4-0 at that time, and they went 4-4 after he left. So he's a key to their success, says, we all know, great quarterback play. Bill's great teams, but he definitely is at. But also on offense, they have a running back, two running backs that are very, very talented. They've got a group of core receivers that are above average and very, very gifted on the defense side of the ball. They've got two corners. Probably the best pair of corners it will be all year. I mean, we've got a lot of good corners in this league, but these two together play at a very high level, and we'll go on to play on Sundays in the NFL. So we've got our work cut out for us, but I think a group of guys in this building they're very excited to get to Saturday night. Yeah, Kobe Bryant is one of the corners. Mellow Dots in the other, they had eight interceptions last year, which tells you about everything you need to know. Yeah, two and three. Two will be to our left, three will be to our right, and they play pretty much boundary corners, but very, very talented players, very aggressive in nature. The safeties are productive guys that, you know, I think do a great job of communicating, and then, you know, this coordinator, the defensive coordinator has been with Lance a long time, so they don't do a lot, but what they do, they do very well. Now, the big 12 is known for big offenses, a lot of high scoring games. Kansas's defense, though, from 22 to 23, went from, I think, 12th and the big 12th to, like, 4th. So they improved over that year. That was one of the problems they had a couple of years ago was they could score, but they didn't do a, I mean, it much like stopping people. Well, the schemes that they run are very, how should they, they're a high rep, right? So they play with what they play very, very well. And when you install that type of defense from where they were before Lance got there, there's a little bit of a transition. They play a lot of coverages, similar to what Iowa does in our league, a little bit of what Rutgers does, a little bit of, they play a lot of quarters. They, they spin it and play some, some boundary pressures as a field pressure, there was some cover three and Manfrey off of it, but the core of what they are is quarter coverages, and you get playing that very, very well, it just takes a little bit of time to get it down, and these guys are playing at a high level now. And they have an Australian punter. How about that? - Everybody does, yeah. - Everybody does, yeah. He's from on the west coast of Australia, so it did not punt last week, by the way, and there went over Lindenwood. All right, some questions from our audience here at the Smith Center, we'll do that. And to talk some more about the upcoming game, Illinois and Kansas sold out at Memorial Stadium in this 100th season of the great old stadium in Champaign, back with more with Coach Bila, right after this on the UC Bank, a line ice sports network from Learfield. Listen up, Alaini fans, Cashback is here with the new Alaini Visa Signature Cashback card brought to you by the U of I Community Credit Union. Earn Cashback every time you make a purchase, 5% cashback on gas and travel, 2% back on groceries and restaurants, and 1.5% back on everything else. But that's not all. U of I Community Credit Union will match your Cashback earnings up to $150 for the first year. Learn more and apply today at alainicard.org. (upbeat music) - Jake from State Farm, I'm winning. I've finally cleaned my house, so I'm breaking out my new tropical room spray. (laughing) - Keep winning and create an affordable price just for you by bundling your home in auto with the State Farm Personal Price Plan. 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Proven results, five-star service and an unmatched commitment to help you win. All backed by Ryan's 48-hour offer guarantee. Get started today at ryandallasre.com. Ryan Dallas real estate, the official real estate team of your Fighting Alainai. (upbeat music) - From their own 31, here's Holly back to pass. Oh, dangerous pass and it's intercepted. Intercepted by the Alainai, Tori Cox, with the interception right about the Eastern Illinois 30-yard line and that transfer from Ohio was run into the other end of the field, celebrating with his teammates, second and nine from the 28th of Eastern. Play action fake to McCray, deep pattern right. Look into the end zone, it is caught, touchdown. Touchdown Illinois, Pat Bryant with a terrific catch. I'm 28 yards, how did he catch that? - Yeah, Pat Bryant with a touchdown. One of the two, he'll be here in just a few minutes. Along with a guy that threw it to him, Luke Altmeyer here on the Brett Beelomashoe, again presented by our sponsors at Bud Light. We're here at the Smith Center, beautiful night to be out on the patio and the Alainai in Kansas coming up Saturday night at six o'clock. Got some questions here, two or three, we'll get to those. Lance Leipold, he was working in Wisconsin when you were coaching in Wisconsin. Are always in Division III and everyone? - Yeah, yup, and then he had actually been a graduate assistant at Wisconsin before I was there. - Work for Barry? - Yeah, and so we kind of developed a relationship there and really just kind of continued through coaching. When I was at Arkansas, he was named a new head coach at Buffalo and I just called to congratulate him and actually said, "Hey, I know you've never "been to the Division I level if you want to." So he came down and spent a day with me, crazy as that sounds, just about kind of overall. We think a lot of like to be quite honest. He's an offensive guy by nature, but yeah, good dude. Obviously I don't cheer for him this weekend or any other time and he made this game a little more personal and to be quite honest. So I think good respect there, but you know, obviously the biggest thing is every given Saturday we always talk about respect all fear and none, right? And that played in the last weekend and it's gonna play into this weekend as well. - All right, so questions from our audience here. Is there a player that is a surprise standout? If so, who is it? Anybody early on? - Well, we had, you know, we had 120 guys report to fall camp, 45 of those 120 had never been here for a fall football game, right? So we had a lot of those guys in January, but we also added in my career the most we've ever added post spring. So we had a lot of guys come into it. I would say, you know, some standouts. You saw from a little bit on Saturday, obviously Tori Cox made an impact play right away with the interception. He's been a very impressive player since fall camp. Dennis Buregs is another guy, defensive line wise. He didn't hear a lot about him on Saturday, but he's been very impressive. Our two offensive tackles, JC Davis and Melvin Priestley, both those guys came to us in the portal world are very impressive. But some of the new guys, right? I think in Pat and Luke would tell you, Tanner Arkin from a year ago is kind of in the shadows of tip Ryman and Tanner is elected captain. Really just embodies everything that we believe in, what we talk about, preach about. And just a lot of our other good players getting, you know, Pat's gotten better, Luke's gotten better. Josh McCray, Kayden Fagan, you know, and to be honest, like the part that's been fun for us is just seeing some of these guys come to life in fall camp, right? You saw them have good springs and you see this summer, but a guy like Aiden Loffrey, there's a reason he was back there for that first snap, a tailback. He had been the most consistent, performed at a high level. He's very chase brownish in as far as like kind of his ability to, you know, burst vertically, take away, separate, has a really good skill set, a really good temperament to the ball, so to see those running backs get better was a lot of fun. All right, question about the coach to player, the communication, did it work out as well as anticipated? Let me say describe a play that was really saved or helped due to all that, I don't know. It would actually be a great question for Luke. So as a head coach, I can hear what Barry is saying. I can hear what Aaron is saying, but they can't hear what I say. So the only person that can talk is one person. So when we're on offense, Barry's obviously talking to the quarterback, right? We can have one helmet communication on the field at a time, right? So there's actually 10 guys that get green dots. So there's five offense and five defense that are set, but only one guy can be on the field at a time. So obviously Luke had it while he was in the quarterback, and then when Donovan went in, he had it on defense. Our safety's usually have it. There are times when our linebackers might have it, but I'll let Luke tell the story. But I think the only time that it cut out the whole day was the touchdown pass to Malik Elsie. So we have a really good batting ratio when it didn't work. But overall, I think it was a success. Now we played a lot of that in fall camp, a lot of practice, a lot of repetitions. And then for us, we also use it at times in a kicking game. There's some very specific rules that you can use it in the kicking game. So it's something that I think we're going to continue to build on, but it was very productive at first. And other than the win, what was the biggest positive you took away from the Eastern game? You know, just getting some of those guys in for their first experiences. I think you always have an idea of what you don't think when someone's going to be, but you never really see it till you see it firsthand. And obviously, all of our starters got in, you know, there was eight new starters for us, you know, to have that many returning starters say something, but to have eight new starters, four on offense, four on defense, I believe we had 26 new guys play that had never played before to see them get their first opportunity to, you know, to be on the field and run around and do some things was very rewarding. And that will hopefully only benefit us moving forward. - You had a new kickoff man too from Texas A&M? - Yeah, child, you know, he was, I believe the number one recruiter and the number one kicker in the country when he came out is from the West Coast and A&M signed him originally out of high school. He went there, you know, had some success, but didn't fall in love with what was going on there and actually came here. And him and David have really had a pretty, pretty neck to neck fall camp. They literally was like a percentage point away from each other on field goals, but a child's leg, you know, you saw those things were, those things were hitting and being caught somewhere in a high four, five, four, six range. And for a kickoff guy to do that with that length, that's pretty rare air. So the weapon of that to have that kind of in a, you know, we tackled, I believe, inside the 15, two or three different times, which, you know, equates to, if you take over an offensive possession behind the 20 yard line, you have a one and 30 chance of scoring, right? So like, that's an unprecedented number to really, you know, start to drive off and make it play that way. - Well, Coach, we'll let you go. We'll get our players in here again. Appreciate you being out here tonight. - Absolutely. - And you're on your patio. - Patio. - And we appreciate it. And good luck Saturday night. - Thank you. - Appreciate it very much. Thanks for coming. - There you go. - Coach Brett Biellema with us. We'll get Luke called by Aaron. Pat Bryant here coming up after the break. Brett Biellema with show brought to you by Bud Light on the Busely Bank Align Ice Sports Network from Learfield. (beeping) - Some days you hit snooze, but not today. Today you have to go on a run to get burgers for the tail game. You've got to haul something heavy, a cooler stocked with Bud Light. You've got beer and football, nothing is hard. Until the other team scores. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly, 21 Plus, copy right 2024 and Heiser Bush, Bud Light Beer, St. Louis, Missouri. (upbeat music) - Premium is proud to celebrate agriculture today and every day on the field and off. We were founded on the potential of agriculture more than a hundred years ago. And our more than 1,500 employees embraced this heritage as we looked at tomorrow. To learn more about how premium teams are working to enrich lives through plant-based solutions across the food, feed, and industrial ingredients markets, visit the Premier website at premier.com and follow us on LinkedIn. - At BUC Wealth Management, we're proud to partner with individuals, families, and foundations, ensuring possibilities become achievements. From preserving and enhancing your assets to securing your legacy for future generations, we're focused on your success. BUC Bank, building business, growing wealth since 1868. Proud to be the official bank of the Fighting Align I remember FDIC. - When it comes to your home starting lineup, you want a superstar on your side. That's a John Deere from AHW. With our online building price tool, you can create the riding mower, compact utility tractor, or gator that fits your exact needs and budget. A machine that's in a field, all by itself. Try out the building price tool online at aHWLC.com or stop by one of our 18 locations, AHW Proud Sponsors of Fighting Align I Football. (upbeat music) - Guess what? He's from Australia. - Aren't all punters now? - Yeah, I think they have to be now. Line drive kick, Lewin. Resettage for the catch. Returnable, 45, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30. Left side, 25, and down he goes. We'll see if they can finish it. Second in goal at the EIU 5. Couple of tight ends for the Alon I. Arkansas in there. And McCray is the back fake to hammer roll, right? Dumped down, Altmeyer, caught, touched down, Illinois. Tanner Orkin, for the second touchdown catch of the year. Yeah, one of the four touchdowns, Lewkaltmeyer had in the ballgame and the Alon I win it over Eastern Illinois. Again, tonight's show, if you miss any of it, you can always catch it on demand via our podcast Inside Fighting Align I Athletics. Download and subscribe wherever you get your podcast. All right, Lewkaltmeyer is with us. Let's welcome him on my far left down here. And he's got the head, you pull that head, sit a little closer there, Lewk. Yeah, pull it in close, you can almost eat it. And then Pat Bryan is here, how you doing, Pat? Great, great, great, thank you guys for having me. Yeah, now I saw, I think today was it today, you were at a school. Tell me what that was about. Oh, we did me and my teammates kind of fundraised a little bit of money and just gave back to the community, gave back some book bags, put gift cards in there just for the community. It was a pretty fun experience, got to play a little bit of football with the youngest. So it was very exciting, I look forward to doing it in the future. Young men, the kids think they could take on Pat Bryan. I mean, one of them asked to kind of run up with me but I told them that would be a good idea knowing I had a game once I had a game. Well, good game for you the other night. You had seven touchdowns last year or two more. But how did you feel about your game, how everything went? I mean, it felt pretty good just coming in, you know, knowing that we worked very hard over during fall camp and just starting off that strongly. It was a pretty great feeling. And Luke Altmeyer with us here, of course. I know, talk for me, Luke, about coming here a year ago. You're a transfer, now you're a starter. Second year, Barry Lunny. Walk me through your experience so far through that year now, what that's been like for you. Yeah, it's been a lot of change. You know, I grew up in the South, grew up in Mississippi in particular and went to school my first two years in college in Mississippi. So, you know, SEC and, you know, the South was really all I ever knew. And, you know, Pat, similar to the influence out to. But, you know, coming to Illinois, like I said, it was a lot of change and a lot of new experiences, a lot of learning and a lot of learning curves. And, you know, you know, throughout year one, the same throughout that season was a lot of learning curves and being a first year as a starter, learned a lot. But, you know, going to this year, you know, my second year, man, I'm so excited, so confident. You know, my most comfortable self. And, you know, you know, that's thanks to my teammates like Pat and so excited to, you know, to go put, you know, that confidence and, you know, all my training on display throughout this season. - I would guess the experience is a great teacher. I mean, you can study all the film you want, but if you get out there and then you make them a stay, okay, I don't do that. I do this. I mean, it's a whole learning process. - Yeah, I think life's greatest teacher experience. You know, you can, I mean, I've watched hours and hours and hours of film, you know, especially my first year, two years of college at Ole Miss, learning football and learning Xs and those. But until you get out there into the bullets, really flying at you, that's when you really, you know, grow the most, obviously. And, you know, kind of played a little bit my first two years everywhere where I was, but, you know, kind of having some, you know, some, a lot of playing time last year and being able to test some things out, try some things and really, you know, kind of throw myself out there and see what I can really do. And, you know, going into this year, I took, you know, I took a lot of things from last year, what I've learned and, you know, brought them to this year and, you know, I've never felt more confident in what I'm doing. - And, oh, Pat, can you sense that? I mean, you've worked your way up into a starting role whenever you weren't playing much, but can you tell with him and the connection with you two guys as that's developed? - Yeah, you know, just coming in, you know, transferring from a different school is kind of hard to adapt to the new culture here, but our main focus was just having him become comfortable, you know, as our quarterback and just being that leader of the office. So I feel like he definitely developed great habits, you know, over from last year this year. And I'm very excited to see what you do the rest of the season. - Is there, I'll ask you both. Is there a connection that develops between a receiver? And I mean, people talk about that, fans talk about that, but is it a real thing? - Oh yeah, of course, you know, just after practice, we come into the locker room, just laugh about things that we did on the field today and just, you know, just keeping that connection not only on the field, but as well as off the field. - And Luke, for you, I mean, if you throw a ball near Pat, he's probably gonna catch it, right? I mean, yeah, that's gotta give you confidence. - Yeah, absolutely, man, Pat's, you know, he's our most experienced guy and, you know, he's a captain for a reason. He's the leader of that room and, you know, people talk a lot, you know, about building chemistry and things like that and that starts, you know, really right after the season ends and whenever it ends and goes throughout January, spring and summer and fall and, you know, into the season and the practices, you know, we're constantly bouncing ideas off of each other and, you know, he's telling me his perspective about a certain route or a certain detail and, you know, kind of vice versa, kind of what I see and he feeds me incredible information, you know, even on, you know, a typical Wednesday practice like today. So, you know, we're constantly growing and, you know, constantly learning from each other so it's been awesome. - Yeah, Luke, all myers with us, Pat Bryant, they teamed up for a couple of touchdowns the other night in the win over Eastern. I know they're all satisfying, Luke, all the touchdown passes, but you get one to Pat who makes a great catch on a throw. You had to, only he could get it, I guess and then you get one wide open to Elsie. So, is one more satisfying than the other or is it all the same? - It all counts. - They all count certainly for six points or whatever, but, you know, they're all different too. So, you know, whether it's a certain play that we have, you know, game plan scheme throughout the week or it's a, you know, a typical one-on-one fade ball. I think they're all so cool and also unique within themselves, but I think the coolest one for me was the first one, the first one into the season. It really was, you know, kind of not a busted play, but, you know, it was a play where Pat really didn't expect the ball, we kind of talked about it, you know, coming off the sideline, you know, I was reading, you know, two receivers kind of towards our sideline. And Pat was kind of drifting towards the middle of the field and I kind of got to him late and he wasn't expecting it. We hadn't been practicing all week, but, you know, with his experience with his savviness and, you know, being able to find a soft spot in the defense, I was able to find him and, you know, put some points on the board to hear the crowd reaction for that first one was really cool. - And Pat, that shows experience when you, you know, the play didn't run quite the way it was designed, but you were able to find a spot and get open. - Yeah, I would definitely say come with experience, you know, just being in this offense, you know, going to four years, three to four years, just definitely just understanding my role on the offense and my role in different plays, you know, just knowing my quarterback and knowing what he likes. - The receiver room, you're in there, you've added Zakari, of course, transferred in, we know about his numbers and, and then Malik seems to be coming on, Kanari, you got to, I think you got a pretty deep group there. - Yeah, we got a very, very talented room, you know, we got a lot of different skills, whether it's speed, size, you know, catchability, you know, it's great, just adding Zakari as, as another weapon. It was, was another great thing. So it, it's allow us to, you know, just have a lot of depth at receiver, allow us to go out there and play fast, knowing that when we need a break, another receiver could come in and do the job just as well. - When you had a guy like Zakari, who's the active leader in yards and catches in the country right now, can you learn from him? - Yeah, I learned, it's crazy, I learned from him. My freshman year, we played with me was at UTSA. He was doing a lot of crazy things. - He was pretty good. - Yup, yup, so once he came here, you know, we kind of, we kind of bonded together, you know, like I said, with Luke, just a transfer coming in. You just wanted to get used to the culture. So I got, I got with him, we did a lot of working on the side and then we even hung out a little bit during the spring break as well. - All right, a break, we're visiting with Luke Altmeyer, of course, quarterback, Pat Bryant, receiver for the Alina. I will come back to the Smith Center in just a moment here on the Brad Bielman Show presented by Bud Light, UC Bank Alina Ice Sports Network from Learfield. (bell dings) Some days, you hit snooze, but not today. Today, you have to go on a run to get burgers for the tailgate. You've got to haul something heavy, a cooler stocked with Bud Light. You've got beer and football, nothing is hard, until the other team scores. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly, 21 Plus, copyright 2024 and Heiser Bush, Bud Light beer, St. Louis, Missouri. Health is a precious thing, and when it comes to deciding who to trust with yours, you can count on Carl. On your life's journey, count on care beyond our walls with mobile medicine, virtual health and community partnerships delivering personalized care. When you're not sure what's next, count on clinical excellence today, because we're researching and investing in the care of tomorrow. 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Prices are based on reading plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts, and savings and eligibility vary by state. ♪♪ Alright, welcome back. The Brett Villema Show continues here from the beautiful Smith Center here on the University of Illinois campus. The football program, of course, is getting ready for Kansas. And Pat Bryan is with us. We've got Luke Altmeyer. I know, Pat, you've been around a few years now. Getting a sellout. What does that mean for you guys now to play in front of a full house? I mean, it's pretty special. Knowing that it hasn't happened in almost eight years. Just going out there and playing in front of a huge crowd like that, that's kind of what you dream of, playing football as a young and so. I feel like it would be a huge, huge experience and I'm ready for it. I know Luke, you played, obviously, in some big stadiums before in the FCC, but the game is the same, I guess, regardless of how big the crowd is. But that's got to give some juice to the guys, right? I mean, yeah, absolutely. I mean, this is, like Pat just said, this is why you play. You know, you grow up watching football and going to different games and stuff like that. And, you know, you want to... It's football because you love football, but you also want to play because there's, you know, hundreds of thousands of people in the stands cheering for you screaming your name. And to be able to have every seat filled out there and, you know, to be able to have that on our side, too, have that kind of... that twelfth man edge that it'll bring for, you know, our defense, I think, especially, will be, you know, just super cool. And, you know, a memory that I'll remember for a very, very long time. Well, you both played in the game last year in Lawrence. So, Luke, I'll start with you. As you look at Kansas, a lot of familiar faces. I know the one guy, the guy in the middle, I think, is now with the Bears. There's starting middle defensive tackle, but what do you see as you watch them on film pretty similar to what they were last year? Yeah, I mean, you know, I think they're coaching staff, you know, carried over from last year this year. So, you know, very, very similar looks from, you know, what we saw last year, they'll probably have a wrinkle in there, you know, you know, as every team will do coming into a game, but, you know, talented on the edge and, you know, lost some NFL talent last year, but, you know, they're a team that's, you know, ranked and earned their respect, rightfully so, because they've won a lot of games and got a good squad. But, you know, like I just said, you know, I feel as confident as ever going into it and going to attack them, you know, from the first net to the last. And, Pat, for you, you're going against two of the really good corners. I'm sure you've studied those two guys. Number two, what is the number two? Number three, Kobe Bryant. And, hello, Dotson. So, what have you seen from them? What makes them so good? I definitely say they're very, very great athletes, you know, very comfortable in the scheme that they're in. I've studied them a lot, so I feel like I'm pretty prepared, but just going against those guys, knowing that they're great corners and knowing where I want to get on the next level for, like, it'll help me out a lot, you know. That's kind of why you play football to play against great competition and compete, so I'm very-- Well, I think it makes you better. If you're going against somebody at that level. Yeah, of course, you know, just playing them last year, not in and how we wanted to, so I definitely feel like we'll go out there and play with a huge edge and try to get this victory. Well, I know, and as you say, those two guys, anything else in their defense, it looks pretty similar, I guess. Yeah, I definitely say it. Yeah, they're whole back in a very experienced, great athletes. They have great safeties, great run-fit guys, so it'll be-- we'll try to make it a very physical game. Coach mentioned Caden Fagan was playing on especially-- You did some special teams, right? Yeah. Was it kick coverage? I did a punt, so, you know, my focus just, you know, being a captain, I just want to be able to help the team in any way as possible, so I feel like I'm a pretty fast guy getting down. So I played a little defense in my pass, so I feel like I could still tackle some. Yeah. I feel like going down on a punt would be pretty special. I'm trying to figure out if you're blocking Caden Fagan, a little kick-off coverage. Oh, no. How does that work? No, so Caden Fagan's on a kick-off, so he goes down, and then I'm on a punt, so I go down. Yeah, yeah, but I'm saying, if you're imagining the defenders defending him as he's covering kicks, I wouldn't-- I wouldn't know what to tell him. Tell him the fair catch or something. Or good luck. I know I'm pretty sure we're not going to see Luke out there on that special team. Oh, no. I know he wants to, but-- I know he wants to, but-- I know he wants to. Yeah, yeah. Hey, guys, thanks for coming out. Thank you. Coming down the hall here, anyway, hanging out. You stay here pretty late, normally, at the Smith Center. Yeah, I was just telling Pat, you know, I got here like 6 a.m. haven't been home yet, so that's just part of the business. We love it. We love it. We love it. You got it, though. Great place. Hey, guys, thanks. Very good. Pat Bryant, Luke Altmeyer. Appreciate you guys coming on back in a moment. We'll wrap it up on the Brett Villama show presented by Bud Light, Bucey Bank of Line Ice Sports Network from Learfield. In the heartland, where ambition thrives, there are those who are made and those who are made for more. Just like the Alaini on Game Day, Klaus, a leading producer of Ag Equipment, unleashes the power of ambition in the field. Discover why our cutting edge machinery and unwavering support aren't just a promise, they're a commitment to your success. Because at Klaus, we know you are made for more. Visit your class dealer or clas.com. This is Coke Zero Sugar. Could I be the best Coke ever? Try and taste with your ears. Hear those bubbles. Imagine them tingling on your tongue. Visit deliciousness. Listen to that cascading liquid, a mouthwatering waterfall. Irresistibly tasty, zero sugar, crisp, refreshing, and ice gold. Is Coke Zero Sugar the best Coke ever? Try and decide. Listen up Alaini fans. Cashback is here with the new Alaini Visa Signature Cashback card brought to you by the U of I Community Credit Union. Earn cashback every time you make a purchase. 5% cashback on gas and travel, 2% back on groceries and restaurants, and 1.5% back on everything else. But that's not all. U of I Community Credit Union will match your cashback earnings up to $150 for the first year. Learn more and apply today at AlainiCard.org. When you're in the mood for a cheeseburger, you've got options. Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Pepper Jack. But when it comes to choosing your seed corn brand, well, you have fewer to choose from each year. That's why Wiffle's hybrids is determined to keep giving growers an independent choice. A choice that stands for something. So plant your independence with Wiffle's hybrids. And top it with a big old slice of American. It's Illinois and Kansas coming up Saturday night at 6, our network coverage will start at 5 p.m. Kerry Davis joins me for that. We've been at the Smith Center tonight right by the Ron and Paula Filler Alaini Field back here. That's the putting course. We appreciate that very much. And one other thing I wanted to mention, 1968 was the last time Illinois and Kansas played in Champaign. Kansas won that game pretty handily. In 1968 Kansas team went 9-2, finished seventh in the final AP poll that year, shared the big eight conference title with Oklahoma, and lost to Penn State by a point 15-14 in the Orange Bowl on January 1, 1969. That was the last time Kansas was here. Their quarterback was a guy named Bobby Douglas who wound up with the Bears. And their running back was a guy named John Riggins who ran all over the NFL for a long time. So that was a really good team. And the Alaini defeated Kansas in Champaign in 1916. 30 to nothing, 1917-22 to nothing. That was before Memorial Stadium of course. And in 1929 they beat the Jayhawks 25 to nothing in their first meeting at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Kansas won in Lawrence by the way, the other meeting besides last year in 1892. They won that game 26 to form. There you go, just a little factoids. If you're in Champaign or Banner reminiscing about your time, check out all of the experiences that experience CU.org. Thanks to everybody for being here in our audience at the Smith Center. Thanks to Coach and Luke and Pat and Ed Bond, our engineer, Michael Tackett as well. I'm Ryan Barnhart. See you Saturday night at Memorial Stadium, Illinois and Kansas on the Busey Bank, Alaini Sports Network. This has been the Brett Bielma Show. On the Busey Bank Alaini Sports Network from Lea Field, presented by Bud Light. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Also brought to you in part by Carl, the official healthcare provider of the Fighting Alaini. Coke Zero Sugar is Coke Zero Sugar, the best Coke ever. Try and decide. State Farm, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. And by U of I Credit Union, the Illinois Signature Cashback Card, introducing Cashback with the official credit card of the Fighting Alaini. The preceding has been a Lea Field presentation on the Busey Bank Alaini Sports Network. Ah, and here we have travelers in the natural habitat enjoying guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout at Fine Hotels and sports book through MX Travel. And they don't even see what's coming at them. We're in, we got the table. Yep, with Rezzy Priority Notify, they're alerted when hard to get reservations open up. Reservation for two. Save the best for last. Thanks to MX Platinum, the last day vacation brings yet another experience. That's a powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Learn more at americanexpress.com/forthemex.