What Illinois coach Bret Beilema, coordinators said about Ohio State

COLUMBUS — Ohio State will face Illinois on Saturday in a huge Big Ten matchup in Champaign.

Illini coach Bret Beilema and his two coordinators met with the media for a press conference Monday to preview the massive showdown in Memorial Stadium, and Lettermen Row has a rundown of what the coaching staff said about the Buckeyes.

Illinois head coach Bret Beilema

Opening statement…

“Obviously a tremendous challenge here with Ohio State. Got a lot of respect for Ryan and his staff and, you know, know several of his coaches. … And obviously they’re playing at a high level on defense offensively, you know, I know Ryan’s influence and, you know, what they do offensively. It’s a very explosive offense. Got guys on the perimeter, very, very good up front, offensive line, good tight end package, good wide receivers, obviously. So special teams, good athletes all over the field and they execute very, very well. So tremendous challenge. Number one great team in the country for a reason. But I like our guys, like their attitude, like their demeanor.”

On playing Ohio State…

“Obviously to have No. 1 Ohio State coming here is awesome, but there’s a lot of really good players that are playing on both sides of the ball.”

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

On facing the Ohio State defense…

“It goes without saying that for a lot of years they have had really good defense and they’ve had really good players,” Lunney said. “At this particular point in the season, the numbers don’t really lie. Sometimes early in the season they will lie. If you just look at the raw numbers and then you turn the film on, you see you have an elite defense. It’s being coached at an elite level and it creates a considerable challenge for us on Saturday.”

On the Buckeyes defensive scheme…

“A lot of respect for the way they play, the players they play with, and the scheme they are doing it with,” Lunney said. “They are a very good outfit. They rush the passer well, they cover well, they blitz well, they play base well, they play multiple fronts. Outstanding defense. They have a lot of variations in what they do and play confident in it.”

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry

On Julian Sayin as a passer…

“He’s deadly accurate. His down the field vision is superb. What makes him really special. What makes him really special in regards to his skill set are the guys that are up front blocking him. They make sure nobody touches him. He’s able to throw from some really clean pockets. You add to that, some of the monsters they have on the outside. Jeremiah Smith don’t make your job easier. Carnell Tate doesn’t make your job easier.”