“It was a clown show”: Bret Bielema Angry at Big Ten Officiating Crew Following Loss

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 2, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After he shook the hand of Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, Bret Bielema made sure to get some final words with head referee Larry Smith and a few other members of Smith’s officiating crew on Saturday.

Following the 25-17 home loss to Minnesota, Bielema left the Memorial Stadium turf fuming about non-calls, calls and what the Illinois fourth-year head coach considered a subpar performance from a Big Ten Conference officiating crew . . .

 

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