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Illinois head coach Bret Bielema doesn’t seem worried about the atmosphere ahead of a “White Out Energy” game against Penn State. He’s keeping the focus on football!
Bielema offered a comical response about the upcoming environment after a recent plea from counterpart James Franklin.
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The Nittany Lions leader asked for “White Out Energy” as his program welcomes the 19th-ranked Illini to town. While this isn’t the team’s official “White Out,” Franklin wants fans to arrive to the stadium in loud and proud.
Penn State’s “White Out” has been an annual occurrence dating back to 2004 when students packed Beaver Stadium decked out in all-white to root on the home team. Since, it’s grown to include the entire fanbase on Saturdays in the fall.
Often, this event is saved for the biggest game on the home slate. Michigan and Ohio State often land that designation.
Having said that, the Nittany Lions are 9-6 in full stadium “White Outs” and 2-2 in student-only participation. Illinois has been the opponent for one “White Out” game, which ended in a 38-24 Penn State win.
Bret Bielema is plenty familiar with the Big Ten having played at Iowa and coached at both Wisconsin and Illinois, but not so much with the tradition. It didn’t start until after he’d wrapped up his college career, and Wisconsin has never been chosen as a “White Out” foe.
He doesn’t know what “White Out Energy” is!
@pennstaterivals #Illinois Football HC Bret Bielema…. “They’re calling for White Out energy, whatever the hell that means.” #WeAre x #PennState ♬ original sound – Penn State Football
Bielema’s not worried about environment, jersey color, or anything other than the play on the field. A true “football guy!”
We’ll see if he changes his mind when the 7:30 PM kickoff rolls around.
If anything, it will offer viewers a preview into the Nittany Lions annual tradition, though the actual “White Out” game is reserved for a November matchup against Washington.
That doesn’t mean fans won’t bring the energy this Saturday!