Coach Bret Bielema's Illinois Fighting Illini took down Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks in a huge 21-10 victory at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on Saturday, a satisfying win that the Illini coach said was "personal" afterward. 

The euphoric feeling of beating a Big Ten and national powerhouse program was tempered with sad personal news on Sunday, as the Illini athletic department announced the passing of Bielema's father, Arnie Bielema, in a statement shared to social media. 

The news of Bielema's passing was shared by Jeremy Warner of IlliniInquirer.com, which included a message of gratitude from the Fighting Illini head coach.  

"My father passed away peacefully this morning with family by his side," Bret Bielema said. "I was grateful to go see him Thursday night and Friday morning of this past week and spend a memorable last time with him. 

"Thanks to (Bielema's wife) Jen, our two girls, and the coaching staff for helping me through the last couple weeks. My family appreciates everyone's support." 

Arnie Bielema lived a full life as a farmer, according to the News-Gazette of Champaign. He operated an 80-acre hog farm in Prophetstown, Ill. from the early 1970s through 1990, and was married to his wife Marilyn from 1960 until her death in 2022. 

Bret Bielema once said he learned a key lesson from his father while working on the farm that has stuck with him as a football player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and as a coach. 

"Something I learned from my dad on the farm: Do something right so you don't have to do it again," Bret Bielema said to the Star Courier of Kewanee, Ill. 

Bielema and the Fighting Illini will attempt to turn the page after an emotional weekend with a noon ET road game against the 2-5 Maryland Terrapins in College Park, Md. on Halloween (Oct. 31), a game that the Illini should be favored in. 

The Terrapins fired former head coach Mike Locksley on Oct. 21, leading to the appointment of interim head coach Aazar Abdul-Rahim, who will lead his team into next weekend's game. 

Bielema reached out to the former Terrapins head coach after his firing, saying that he is "extremely close" with Locksley according to Glenn Kinley of WCIA-3 Champaign. The Fighting Illini are now 4-3 on the season and angling for bowl contention, which isn't far off if they keep winning.

The Bielema family has been through a lot after Arnie Bielema's passing, but the season will continue onward with fans expecting another exciting contest in College Park this coming weekend.