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Illinois HC Bret Bielema defends comments about roster
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois coach Bret Bielema defends controversial comments about roster

First-year Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema generated headlines and controversy when he seemed to take shots at his current roster and also the program’s previous regime during comments made earlier this week: 

Per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Bielema attempted to clear the air Thursday and said he's been "very complimentary about the staff and the players that they've left us, repeatedly." He also confirmed that he's spoken with his current players about his words. 

"I was stating facts about where we are when I mentioned offensive linemen and defensive linemen," Bielema explained. "That is a position of need because of numbers, not because of who I do or don't have. We don't have the numbers at the offensive and defensive line, which is a premium in our program. We went from a defensive front that has two defensive linemen to now the one that has three defensive linemen, so we don't have the numbers. That's strictly it.

"If you want to take it in any other direction, that's your prerogative, but that's not the intent whatsoever, and it wasn't anything derogatory at the past staff." 

While Bielema added his players responded positively after meeting with them, he said his original words were "completely taken out of context" by media members searching for "clickbait" while covering a 2-5 team. 

Unfortunately for Bielema and company, things get no easier for them this Saturday, as Illinois play at the No. 7-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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