Illini's Bret Bielema, Wisconsin's Luke Fickell Apparently At Odds Over Last Year's Loss?

Zachary Draves | Jul 26, 2024

Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Bret Bielema is still not over the Fighting Illini's 25-21 loss to Wisconsin last year.

So much he did not speak to Badgers coach Luke Fickell last week at Big Ten Media Day

Last year, the Illini blew a 21-7 fourth-quarter lead by allowing the Badgers to score 18 unanswered points.

The turning point came with 27 seconds left when Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke threw the winning touchdown to offensive lineman Nolan Rucci.

Rucci was listed as wearing number 66, but entered with No. 93. Rucci became an eligible receiver after two tight ends shifted to other spots, thus opening himself up in the end zone.

He may play LT, but Nolan Rucci sure looked smooth when his number was called.

Watch his game-winner in the final seconds. ⤵️ @nolanrucci x @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/nWavxBaMtV

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 22, 2023

The play itself was legal, but Bielema accusing the Badgers of cheating over Rucci's number change.

According to Jim Polzin at the Wisconsin State Journal, both coaches didn't seem to exchange words, much less a handshake last week in Indianapolis.

Fickell wonders if the circumstances surrounding the result of the game explains why Bielema won't acknowledge him.

“Is that why Bret won’t talk to me?” he said.

According to Polzin, Bielema even went as far as trying to vacate the victory.

The language of the rules were modified saying if a player changes a jersey number they need to immediately report it to the official so they can let the opposing sideline know. Failure to do so will result in a 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Zachary Draves is a contributor to Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at zdraves1013@gmail.com and on Instagram @zdraves0633.

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