CHAMPAIGN — In his 17 years as a head coach, Bret Bielema has worked with plenty of future NFL quarterbacks. He believes his current starter at Illinois, Luke Altmyer, will be the next.
“During my career, the better quarterbacks, the guys who went on to play in the league, I probably learned more from them as players than most just because they have the balls in their hands every time,” Bielema said at his Monday press conference. “Learning them and how they see things and how they react to things is so important to winning.”
Altmyer’s preparation is next level.
“To be in meetings right now with Luke and hear him see things conceptually and then say it to Art (Sitkowski) and then it becomes reality on the football field with Barry (Lunney Jr.) has just been a game-changer for me,” Bielema said. “Luke literally sees the game as well as anyone I’ve ever been around.”
Altmyer is Bielema’s first three-year starting quarterback at Illinois. He appreciates No. 9’s poise.
“He doesn’t get rattled,” Bielema said. “He’s just very intentional.”
As Bielema watched film Sunday of the game against Maryland — a 24-6 Illini win — he reviewed Altmyer’s interception toward the end of the first half. And liked how his quarterback reacted to it.
“A lot of guys would go in that locker room and sit there and spew about it,” Bielema said. “He just came out, was on rhythm and was just awesome to start that second half.”
Altmyer’s performance in one-score games — there have been a bunch at Illinois — “will drive his value through the roof,” Bielema said.
Keep the lights on
Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) will finish its season with a pair of night games, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday against Wisconsin (3-7, 1-6) at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. On Monday, the team found out its regular-season finale with Northwestern will be played at 6:30 p.m. and televised nationally by Fox. It will be the first-ever November night home game for Illinois.
“I think it’s cool,” Bielema said. “National exposure on Thanksgiving weekend will be a really good opportunity.”
Picking up the pace
The Illinois running game has been productive during the team’s two-game win streak. Why?
“Without a doubt, the play of the offensive line,” Bielema said. “It’s overly simplistic, but when we play well up front, we play well overall.”
Bright futures
Bielema was asked Monday about offensive coordinator Lunney’s potential to become a college head coach. The fourth-year assistant has helped the team to three bowl bids.
“To be a head coach, you’ve got to have a resume of football success,” Bielema said. “Barry has obviously done that. But you’ve got to have that personality. You’ve got to have that ‘it’ factor. You’ve got to have a reason somebody’s going to come calling.
“I’m just so proud of Barry. He just stays true to what he is.”
To be clear, Bielema wants Lunney to stay at Illinois, but will help him if the opportunity presents to become his own boss.
“As a head coach, you do see the game differently,” Bielema said. “I’ve tried to include Barry. especially this year, in as many conversations as I can about roster, about how to see the world through media eyes, donors are more present than ever in college football, so you’ve got to be able to have a connection with that group of people, as well.”
“I think Barry’s time will come when Barry’s time comes, but in the meantime, I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.”
Aches and pains
Defensive lineman James Thompson left the Maryland game early and went into the concussion protocol.
“I think there’s a very good chance to getting him back by Saturday,” Bielema said, “but that’s kind of a wait and see.”
Thompson wants to play if healthy. He transferred to Illinois this year from Wisconsin.
Running back Aidan Laughery, who didn’t play against Maryland, practiced last Thursday and Friday. He could be ready for the Badgers.
Bielema has good news on star defensive back Xavier Scott, who has missed the bulk of the season with an injury.
“His rehab is going absolutely awesome,” Bielema said. “I don’t think there’s a chance we will get him in the the two games left, but it does look possible for something coming at the back end of that.”