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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tailgating and football are back at Memorial Stadium for the annual Spring game on Thursday. The scrimmage is the second Spring Game under head coach Bret Bielema and will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network with a kickoff time of 6:35 p.m. CT.
Bielema’s team has gone through over four weeks of spring practices in preparation for the spring game. The Illini are ready to showcase their growth between year one and year two of the Bielema era and the newcomers’ talents.
The spring game is free and open to the public.
New Offense Excited
Barry Lunney Jr.’s new offense will be on display for the first time on Thursday. With Lunney joining the Illini just before the spring season, the offense has spent the last few weeks learning and installing the new system.
Offensive players have raved about Coach Lunney’s leadership and coaching throughout the spring and are excited to play for him for the first time.
“With him and what his offense brings to the table, it benefits the type of players we have like Isaiah, Pat, our speedier shiftier guys that we can put them in the field and they can make plays themselves,” Chase Brown said. “Coach Lunney, he brings a different energy to the table. Everybody loves him, we want to play for him and just keep on learning from him.”
Brown is coming off a 1,000+-yard rushing season in Bielema’s first season with the Illini. The running back is ready to get in front of fans again and show a glimpse of how much more he can bring to the Illini.
The offensive line has also benefited from the new offense. Center Alex Pihlstrom thinks fans on Thursday will see a different offense, focused on moving the ball at a faster pace while utilizing its many weapons.
“Just how much faster we are than last year, getting to the ball up tempo. I think you’ll see a more balanced attack,” Pihlstrom said. “We definitely still want to run the ball and run the ball effectively, but I think protection is the biggest thing, giving QBs enough time, because we got explosive receivers and they can make plays.”
Pihlstrom is ready to just get back out in front of Illini Nation and showcase the team’s hard work over the last few weeks. But what has Pihlstrom most excited is the thought of live, full-tackle football.
“I’m excited to get in front of fans. The 1s kind of only had one scrimmage where we really tackled and finished to the ground,” Pihlstrom said. “So I’m excited about back out there because I mean, the practice has been nice, but it’s not the same. Definitely excited to just play hard and play fast.”
Young Defense
While spectators will see familiar faces on offense like Chase Brown, Alex Palczewski and Isaiah Williams, the Illinois defense will feature many new and younger players.
Some defensive returners like Tarique Barnes or Devon Witherspoon will be able to show their improvements between year one and year two under Ryan Walters, the defensive coordinator is ready to see some new guys in action.
“I’m excited to see the young guys that haven’t had a lot of live snaps especially in front of people,” Walters said. “It’s hard to fabricate experience and sometimes experience could be your best teacher so to have a venue and arena like the spring game to sort of simulate what it looks like during the fall will be huge for those guys and I’m just excited to see how they respond.”
Walters has already seen a big jump from day one of spring practices to the team’s last practice on Tuesday. A part of the quick progress is a result of the two scrimmages the Illini have played during the spring.
Those scrimmages give Walters and the players a chance to look at film in real football situations, then go back out the following week and correct mistakes.
“The scrimmages are definitely your best teachers,” Walters said. “They have live tackling and understanding proper angles and the importance of wrapping up and communicating when things are going fast should allow them to calm down a little bit for the spring game. Just settle into it and go play football.”
While the defense has endured significant roster turnover, newcomers along with Calvin Hart Jr. who played just one game last season before an injury, have Walters excited about the culture of his group.
Now in year two of his defense, Walters has become closer with his players and has seen immense growth in a short period of time. Spending another spring with the Illini has Walters even more excited for the future.
“The biggest thing I take away is that they love football,” Walters said. “This team genuinely loves the game for the right reasons. It’s not about Instagram followers or Twitter likes. They like the game because of the because of what the game represents. And so it’s been a joy to watch them and to practice with them because they do things the right way.”
Game Format
The spring game will feature a full four quarters with the first half as 15-minute quarters. The second half may have a continuous clock in order to fit the entire game in on Big Ten Network. Halftime will be 12 minutes long and three students will have a chance at a field goal challenge.
The team’s 1s will wear white while the rest of the Illini will be in blue, but players may flip teams at any point in the game. Scoring for the white team will be normal while scoring for the blue team is worth double.
At the end of the first and third quarter, there will be a field goal shootout. Throughout the games, drives may be started at different points and sometimes without a kickoff. When there is a kickoff, there will be no returns.
GAME INFORMATION
Parking
• Lot 31 – Available starting at 12 p.m. CT. All four entrances of Lot 31 will be open and available for football parking.
• ADA parking will be accepted in the northwest State Farm Center lot. ADA placard will need to be shown to the attendant when entering.
Tailgating
• Grange Grove will open at 12 p.m. CT.
Tickets
• No tickets are needed. The game is free and open to the public.
Game Format
• 1s in white, all others in blue.
• White scoring is normal, blue scoring is worth double.
• Players may flip teams.
• Four quarters with the first half as 15-minute quarters. Second half TBA.
• Field goal shootouts at the end of the first and third quarters.
• Drive starts will be adjusted based on head coach decisions.
• No kickoff coverage or returns.
Premium Seating
• PUBLIC – Tickets are being sold for $10 to the general public for entry into the Colonnades Club for the Orange and Blue Spring Game.
• MEMBERS – Colonnades Club and 77 Club members have been provided (via e-mail) tickets in their respective club. Suite owners have been contacted (via e-mail) with further information regarding use of their suite.
Memorial Stadium Seating
• All seating will be on the west side of the stadium.
Student Information
• A 12-minute halftime will feature a student field goal kicking contest. Students are invited to Grange Grove pregame to compete for a spot in the top three that will compete at halftime for a Nike prize pack.
• Student season ticket holders can claim their free t-shirts on the west concourse.
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