Illinois

University of Illinois Fighting Illini

The University of Illinois football program played its first game in October 1890.  A great deal of the credit for the team’s existence goes to Scott Williams, a former University of Illinois student who spearheaded the formation of a football team. The team lost its inaugural game to Illinois Wesleyan 16-0 with Williams serving as coach, captain and quarterback. Williams returned the following year as a player only and the team went undefeated as champions of the Illinois Intercollegiate Football League.

The Illinois program enjoyed incredible success during the tenure of Hall of Fame coach Robert Zuppke from 1913 to 1941. In that time, the program won four national championships and seven Big- Ten Conference championships. Zuppke is credited with the invention of the “huddle” and the “flea flicker.”

The Illinois program produced one of the greatest players in college football history. Harold “Red” Grange was an integral part of the 1923 national championship team. Nicknamed the “Galloping Ghost,” Grange gained national attention in 1924 when he scored four touchdowns in the first quarter against the University of Michigan. The game was the first to be played at Memorial Stadium, where the Illini still take the field. Grange and Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus are the only players to have their number retired at Illinois.

The Illini play their home games at legendary Memorial Stadium that was built back in the early 1900's. The two fight songs are two of the best in the country-- Illinois Loyalty and Oskee Wow Wow. Illinois wear their traditional Orange and Blue and each year play four rivalry games versus Ohio State, Purdue, Northwestern and Indiana. The Ohio State game is played for the "Illibuck Trophy", the Purdue match- up for the "Purdue Cannon" and the inter- state clash between Northwestern is for the "Sweet Sioux Tomahawk."

Illinois Fighting Illini 2007 Outlook

Despite a 2-10 season, the 2006 team showed flashes of respectability. The Illini return 17 starters, accompanied by a solid recruiting class in 2007. Sophomore quarterback Juice Williams leads Illinois into the 2007 season. With his increased consistency, the Illini offense should be more explosive this season. Williams had his ups and downs as a freshman, but displayed incredible athleticism and leadership skills. Juice must improve his completion percentage, which was a meager 39.6% last season.

The defense needs to be better this season. The Illini gave up 26.8 points per game to the opposition in 2006. Senior linebacker J. Leman is the leader of the defense. The Illini should benefit from a favorable non-conference schedule. Cupcakes like Western Illinois and Ball State should build confidence for the young Illini team to start the season. Ultimately, the team will find it difficult to secure wins in conference play but a 6-6 season is certainly within reach.

2007 Illinois Schedule

Date OPPONENT TIME (ET) Location Result
Sat, Sep 1st, 2007 Missouri 03:30 PM Edward Jones Dome - St. Louis,  
Sat, Sep 8th, 2007 Western_Ill 07:00 PM Memorial Stadium  
Sat, Sep 15th, 2007 at Syracuse TBA Carrier Dome  
Sat, Sep 22nd, 2007 at Indiana TBA Memorial Stadium  
Sat, Sep 29th, 2007 Penn_State TBA Memorial Stadium  
Sat, Oct 6th, 2007 Wisconsin TBA Memorial Stadium  
Sat, Oct 13th, 2007 at Iowa TBA Kinnick Stadium  
Sat, Oct 20th, 2007 Michigan 08:00 PM Memorial Stadium  
Sat, Oct 27th, 2007 Ball_State TBA Memorial Stadium  
Sat, Nov 3rd, 2007 at Minnesota 08:00 PM Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome  
Sat, Nov 10th, 2007 at Ohio_State TBA Ohio Stadium  
Sat, Nov 17th, 2007 Northwestern TBA Memorial Stadium

Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Profile

Ron Zook's head coaching career began at the University of Florida in 2002, replacing the legendary, Steve Spurrier. Despite being an exceptional recruiter, Zook lost five games in each of his three seasons in Gainesville. Urban Meyer replaced Zook as head coach and won a National Championship in 2006 with Zook’s recruiting class. 

Ron Zook became the head coach at the University of Illinois in 2005. He is 4-19 in his first two seasons at the helm. However, the program is clearly headed in the right direction under Zook and will benefit from an outstanding 2007 recruiting class. Zook has NFL coaching experience, deep recruiting roots and his ability to bring in premium talent, bodes well for the future of Illinois football.

Illinois Fighting Illini- Players to Watch/ Key Departures

The offense will rely on the development of quarterback Juice Williams. Watch out for incoming true freshman wide receiver Arrelious Benn who is expected to contribute right away. The speedster was one of Illinois biggest off- season signings. Running back Rashard Mendenhall averaged 8.2 yards per carry in 2006, look for him to be bringing the heat again in 2007.

On defense, linebacker J. Leman is a tackling machine. He racked up 152 tackles a year ago. The team lost cornerback Alan Ball to the NFL but returns three starters in the secondary so the defensive backfield should be ready to roll in 2007.