Illini football quick hits | Game Week: Penn State, Part IV

Illinois coach Bret Bielema had one last media availability Thursday as the No. 19 Illini put in their last full day in Champaign ahead of Saturday's game at No. 9 Penn State. Here's some of what was said, courtesy beat writer Scott Richey :

Prepping for rainy game day

Illinois has spent some of its practice the past two weeks going through what Bielema has called "wet ball work" just in case it rained on game day. Those storms never came in wins against Central Michigan and Nebraska, but the Illini might be dealing with those conditions Saturday in State College, Pa., where there's a 50 percent chance of rain essentially the entire weekend. It's notable considering Penn State has a natural grass field at Beaver Stadium. It will be Illinois' first game on natural grass this season, but the Illini practice on that surface regularly.

"That beautiful grass field we look at every day out of my office, they never really used that. I was told it was cursed. We did some irrigation checks and realized there was a cracked pipe. We fixed that, and we've been able to practice on grass the last two years. ... Penn State, because of the way they play, it's obviously an unbelievable surface. Literally one of the best you'll play on a grass surface in college football. The thing that will play in it Saturday, it looks like the rain is up to (50) percent."

Multiplicity on offense

Penn State coach James Franklin hired three new coordinators this offseason after firing offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich during the 2023 season and losing defensive coordinator Manny Diaz (Duke's new coach) and special teams coordinator Stacy Collins (returned to Boise State). Hired in their places were Andy Kotelnicki, Tom Allen and Justin Lustig, respectively. The Illini know what to expect from a Kotelnicki offense having faced it last season with Kansas.

"Their tight end (Tyler Warren) might be the best tight end in the league," Bielema said. "They use him in a variety of different ways. He's lined up at fullback, as a quarterback, as a tight end, as a slot, as a third receiver. I think (Kotelnicki) is really using their personnel uniquely different, which is his m.o. Both running backs (Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen) are extremely effective. They use a two-quarterback system. The multiplicity of their offense is very evident."

Fully a free safety

Miles Scott is 16 games into his career as a free safety. The former walk-on wide receiver got in a full year at his new position in 2023, but now he looks the part. His body has changed — he's stronger — and he's put his cerebral approach to good use further learning the intricacies of being the last line of defense. Scott ranks third on the Illini with 19 tackles and also has two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in four games.

"He was paying for his own way so I didn't want to move him, but my biggest regret was not to do this a year earlier because the growth you're seeing now could have happened that much quicker," Bielema said about flipping Scott from wide receiver to defensive back 18 months ago. "That's a position that unfortunately the only way at free safety you get good at playing free safety is by game speed reps. You can simulate in practice, but it isn't the same read and break."