Bielema’s program and QB Luke Altmyer both make statements in Week 1

Happy Sunday, Illinois Land!

We love no other.

There was never a doubt…except for most of the game.

I’m on a statement kick recently. The simplicity, depth and finality of a profound statement cannot be overstated. Paradox at its finest.

Here are the two statements to focus on after Week 1 of the 2023 college football season is in the books.

Bret Bielema’s program made a statement: Illinois football is now capable of winning games when they don’t play a perfect 60 minutes.

Luke Altmyer, the new transfer quarterback made a statement of his own: Illinois football now has a real-life quarterback. More on this in a bit.

Wide receivers Pat Bryant and Casey Washington didn’t so much as make statements, but provided the necessary punctuation in the form of an exclamation point during the second half.

In a truly wild contest, Illinois seemingly lost and won three separate times before Caleb Griffin’s game-winning field goal sailed through the uprights.