‘Whatever the hell that means’: Illini’s Bielema responds to Franklin’s calls for ‘White Out Energy’

Preparations are underway in the Lasch Building as Penn State football is set to take on No. 19 Illinois in the program’s first primetime matchup of 2024. The subliminal messaging campaign may also be fully in motion, with James Franklin calling on the Nittany Lion faithful to bring “White Out Energy” to Beaver Stadium on Saturday night.

Whether or not that call to arms stops at passion or extends to apparel is left up for interpretation. But Franklin’s appeal to the Penn State fanbase hasn’t gone unnoticed in Champaign. On Monday, Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema even brought up the request in his weekly press conference.

Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

“It was such an incredible crowd. I’ve been in the Big Ten a long time, but for me, as a GA, to see that for the first time was really overwhelmingly amazing,” Bielema said of his first experience at Beaver Stadium.” It’s kind of like a spaceship out in the middle of nowhere.

“I don’t know if they’re [the Nittany Lions] going to be in blue or white this weekend. Whatever they’re going to be in, they’re going to be dressed. It’s probably going to be one or the other. They’re calling for ‘White Out energy,’ whatever the hell that means.

Bielema would go on to express his admiration for the tradition of Penn State football, including the history of the program’s uniforms, Joe and Sue Paterno, and Nittany Lion legend Franco Harris.

“But I would just tell you the part that really I think stands out is their fans are intelligent; they’ve got tradition,” he said. “Very similar to Nebraska. They’ve been doing this for a long time, and Penn State fans are accustomed to great football.”

Meanwhile, in State College, James Franklin continues to drop subtle hints about what exactly he means by “White Out Energy.”

James Franklin here….wearing white. Random choice or not? pic.twitter.com/SzSjMq32Ar

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 23, 2024

“Nittany Nation, we need WHITE OUT…ENERGY!” Franklin wrote on X Sunday. “See you this Saturday back home in Beaver Stadium.”

Penn State football is currently a 17.5-point favorite, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The Nittany Lions and Fighting Illini square off at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.

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