Prior to Bret Bielema’s arrival in Champaign, the Illinois Fighting Illini had not:
- Defeated Northwestern since November 29th, 2014
- Had an undefeated non-conference season since 2011 (Arkansas State, South Dakota State, Arizona State, Western Michigan)
- Defeated a non-Big Ten Power Five opponent since 2011 (Arizona St.)
- Defeated Wisconsin in Madison since November 9th, 2002
- Defeated Iowa since November 1st, 2008
- Beaten Wisconsin and Iowa in the same season in 33 years
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In less than 24 months since Bret Bielema became Illinois’ head coach, the Illini have:
- Crushed Northwestern, 47-14, ending the 2021 season and snapping the program’s six-game losing skid against the Wildcats
- Swept the non-conference schedule in 2022 (Wyoming, Virginia, Chattanooga)
- Defeated the aforementioned Virginia Cavaliers to earn Illinois’ first win over a non-Big Ten Power Five opponent since Ron Zook’s final season
- Dominated Wisconsin, 34-10, holding the Badgers to two rushing yards in Bielema’s return to Madison
And then came Saturday.