Illinois Fighting Illini football - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Illinois Fighting Illini

The Fighting Illini are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The University offers 10 men's and 11 women's varsity sports....

are a major college football

College football

College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...

program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...

Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference

Big Ten Conference

The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...

Current staff

Name	Position
Vic Koenning Vic Koenning -External links:*...	Interm Head Football Coach
Joe Gilbert	Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach
Vic Koenning Vic Koenning -External links:*...	Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach
Paul Petrino	Offensive Coordinator/Receivers Coach
Jeff Brohm Jeff Brohm Jeffrey Scott Brohm is an Assistant Coach and the Quarterbacks Coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team...	Quarterbacks Coach
Vacant	Inside Linebackers Coach
Keith Gilmore	Defensive Line Coach
Chip Long	Tight Ends Coach
DeAndre Smith	Running Backs Coach
Ron West	Outside Linebackers Coach

All-time win/loss/tie record

563-513-51

National championships

The University of Illinois claims five national championships in football: 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927, and 1951. The Fighting Illini now officially recognize the 1951 National Championship by the Boand selecting body, but as recently as 2006 this was not mentioned officially by the school.

Year	Coach	Selector	Record	Bowl Game
1914	Bob Zuppke	Parke H. Davis Parke H. Davis Parke Hill Davis was an American football player, coach and historian who retroactively named the national championship teams in American college football from the 1869 through the 1932 seasons. He also named co-national champions at the conclusion of the 1933 season...	7-0-0
1919	Bob Zuppke	Billingsley, Boand, Football Research, Parke H. Davis	6-1-0
1923 1923 college football season The 1923 college football season saw several teams finish their seasons unbeaten and untied. Illinois and Michigan The 1923 college football season saw several teams finish their seasons unbeaten and untied. Illinois (coached by Bob Zuppke) and Michigan The 1923 college football season saw...	Bob Zuppke	Boand, Football Research, Helms, National Championship Foundation, Parke H. Davis	8-0-0
1927 1927 college football season The 1927 college football season ended with the Illini of the University of Illinois being recognized as champion under the Dickinson system. In the Rose Bowl, the Pittsburgh Panthers were invited to play against the Pacific Coast Conference champion...	Bob Zuppke	Billingsley, Dickinson, Helms, National Championship Foundation, Parke H. Davis	7-0-1
1951	Ray Eliot Ray Eliot Raymond Eliot Nusspickel was an American football and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach Illinois College from 1933 to 1936 and at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1942 to 1959, compiling a career college football...	Boand	9-0-1	Won Rose Bowl 1952 Rose Bowl The 1952 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1952 at the end of the 1951 college football season. It was the 38th Rose Bowl Game. It holds the distinction of being the first nationally televised college football game...
5-time National Champions

Big Ten championships

Year	Coach	Big Ten Record	Overall Record	Bowl Game
1910	Arthur Hall Arthur Hall (coach) -External links:...	4-0-0	7-0-0
1914	Bob Zuppke	6-0-0	7-0-0
1915	Bob Zuppke	3-0-2	5-0-2
1918	Bob Zuppke	4-0-0	5-2-0
1919	Bob Zuppke	6-1-0	6-1-0
1923	Bob Zuppke	5-0-0	8-0-0
1927	Bob Zuppke	5-0-0	7-0-1
1928	Bob Zuppke	4-1-0	7-1-0
1946	Ray Eliot Ray Eliot Raymond Eliot Nusspickel was an American football and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach Illinois College from 1933 to 1936 and at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1942 to 1959, compiling a career college football...	6-1-0	8-2-0	Won Rose Bowl 1947 Rose Bowl The 1947 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game. It was the 33rd Rose Bowl Game. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the UCLA Bruins, 45–14. Illinois halfbacks Claude "Buddy" Young and Julius Rykovich shared the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game award. They were named the Rose Bowl Players...
1951	Ray Eliot Ray Eliot Raymond Eliot Nusspickel was an American football and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach Illinois College from 1933 to 1936 and at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1942 to 1959, compiling a career college football...	5-0-1	9-0-1	Won Rose Bowl 1952 Rose Bowl The 1952 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1952 at the end of the 1951 college football season. It was the 38th Rose Bowl Game. It holds the distinction of being the first nationally televised college football game...
1953	Ray Eliot Ray Eliot Raymond Eliot Nusspickel was an American football and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach Illinois College from 1933 to 1936 and at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1942 to 1959, compiling a career college football...	5-1-0	7-1-1
1963	Pete Elliot	5-1-1	8-1-1	Won Rose Bowl 1964 Rose Bowl The 1964 Rose Bowl was the 50th Rose Bowl Game, played on January 1, 1964. It featured the Illinois Fighting Illini against the Washington Huskies....
1983	Mike White	9-0-0	10-2-0	Lost Rose Bowl 1984 Rose Bowl The 1984 Rose Bowl game, played on January 2, was the 70th Rose Bowl game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini by a score of 45-9. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA quarterback, was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns...
1990	John Mackovic John Mackovic John Mackovic is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup...	6-2-0	8-4-0	Lost Hall of Fame Bowl
2001	Ron Turner	7-1	10-2	Lost Sugar Bowl 2002 Sugar Bowl The 2002 Sugar Bowl a 2001–2002 BCS game was played on January 1, 2002. This 68th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Illinois Fighting Illini, and the LSU Tigers...
15-time Big Ten Champions

Bowl Game history

Date	Bowl	W/L	Opponent	PF	PA
January 1, 1947	Rose Bowl 1947 Rose Bowl The 1947 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game. It was the 33rd Rose Bowl Game. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the UCLA Bruins, 45–14. Illinois halfbacks Claude "Buddy" Young and Julius Rykovich shared the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game award. They were named the Rose Bowl Players...	W	UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...	45	14
January 1, 1952	Rose Bowl 1952 Rose Bowl The 1952 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1952 at the end of the 1951 college football season. It was the 38th Rose Bowl Game. It holds the distinction of being the first nationally televised college football game...	W	Stanford Stanford Cardinal football The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...	40	7
January 1, 1964	Rose Bowl 1964 Rose Bowl The 1964 Rose Bowl was the 50th Rose Bowl Game, played on January 1, 1964. It featured the Illinois Fighting Illini against the Washington Huskies....	W	Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...	17	7
December 29, 1982	Liberty Bowl 1982 Liberty Bowl The 1982 Liberty Bowl was held on December 29, 1982, in Memphis, Tennessee at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game featured the Illinois Fighting Illini, of the Big Ten Conference, and Alabama Crimson Tide, of the SEC. Alabama won the game 21–15....	L	Alabama	15	21
January 2, 1984	Rose Bowl 1984 Rose Bowl The 1984 Rose Bowl game, played on January 2, was the 70th Rose Bowl game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini by a score of 45-9. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA quarterback, was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns...	L	UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...	9	45
December 31, 1985	Peach Bowl 1985 Peach Bowl The 1985 Peach Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia between the Army Cadets and the on December 31, 1985...	L	Army Army Black Knights football The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....	29	31
December 29, 1988	All-American Bowl 1988 All-American Bowl The 1988 All-American Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama between the and the University of Florida Gators on December 29, 1988...	L	Florida	10	14
January 1, 1990	Florida Citrus Bowl 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl The 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the on January 1, 1990...	W	Virginia Virginia Cavaliers football Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...	31	21
January 1, 1991	Hall of Fame Bowl 1991 Hall of Fame Bowl The 1991 edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl featured the fourteenth ranked Clemson Tigers, and the sixteenth ranked . It was the fifth edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl.Clemson's Chris Gardocki kicked an 18 yard field goal as the Tigers built a 3-0 lead...	L	Clemson Clemson Tigers football The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...	0	30
December 31, 1991	John Hancock Bowl 1991 John Hancock Bowl The 1991 John Hancock Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the University of California, Los Angeles on December 31, 1991. The game was the final contest of the 1991 NCAA Division I-A...	L	UCLA 1991 UCLA Bruins football team The 1991 UCLA Bruins football team represented UCLA in the 1991 NCAA college football season. The Bruins offense scored 323 points while the defense allowed 190 points...	3	6
December 30, 1992	Holiday Bowl 1992 Holiday Bowl The 1992 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 1992 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the 25th ranked Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, and the unranked ....	L	Hawai'i 1992 Hawaii Rainbows football team -Schedule:-1992 team members in the NFL:...	17	27
December 31, 1994	Liberty Bowl 1994 Liberty Bowl The 1994 Liberty Bowl was held on December 31, 1994, in Memphis, Tennessee at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game featured the , of the Big Ten Conference, and the East Carolina Pirates, an independent team. Illinois won the game 30–0....	W	East Carolina	30	0
December 30, 1999	MicronPC.com Bowl	W	Virginia Virginia Cavaliers football Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...	63	21
January 1, 2002	Sugar Bowl 2002 Sugar Bowl The 2002 Sugar Bowl a 2001–2002 BCS game was played on January 1, 2002. This 68th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Illinois Fighting Illini, and the LSU Tigers...	L	LSU 2002 LSU Tigers football team The 2002 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2002–2003. Coached by Nick Saban, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The defending SEC champion Tigers started out strong, but an injury to...	34	47
January 1, 2008	Rose Bowl 2008 Rose Bowl The 2008 Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi, the 94th Rose Bowl Game, played on January 1, 2008 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, was a college football bowl game. The contest was televised on ABC, the 20th straight year the network aired the Rose Bowl, starting at 4:30pm EST...	L	USC 2007 USC Trojans football team The 2007 University of Southern California Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the college football season of 2007–2008, winning a share of the Pacific-10 Conference Championship and winning the 2008 Rose Bowl...	17	49
December 29, 2010	Texas Bowl 2010 Texas Bowl The 2010 Texas Bowl was the fifth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game started at 5:00 PM US CST on Wednesday, December 29, 2010. The game was telecast on ESPN for the second time in bowl history after being televised by the NFL...	W	Baylor 2010 Baylor Bears football team The 2010 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University in college football's 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Art Briles and played their home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. They are members of the Big 12 Conference in the South Division...	38	14
Total	16 Bowl Games	7-9		398	354

Trophy games

Illibuck
Illibuck
Illy Illibuck is a carved wooden turtle that serves as the trophy awarded to the winner of the American college football rivalry game played annually by the Illinois Fighting Illini football team of the University of Illinois and the Ohio State Buckeyes football team of Ohio State University...

- Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
Purdue Cannon
Purdue Cannon
The Purdue Cannon is presented to the winner of the University of Illinois-Purdue University football game. The cannon was conceived by Purdue students 95 years ago but was first presented as a trophy by an Illinois alumnus in 1943....

- Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
Land of Lincoln Trophy
Land of Lincoln Trophy
The Land of Lincoln Trophy is presented to the winner of the annual college football game between Illinois rivals Northwestern University, located in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, and the University of Illinois, located on the border between the central Illinois cities of Champaign and Urbana...

- Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...

(formerly the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk was presented to the winner of the annual college football game between Illinois rivals Northwestern University, located in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, and the University of Illinois, located on the border between the central Illinois cities of Champaign and Urbana...

)

Career leaders

Passing Yards: Jack Trudeau
Jack Trudeau
Jack Francis Trudeau is a former professional American football player and current morning show co-host on Fox Sports Radio. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2nd round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'3",...

(8,725)
Rushing Yards: Robert Holcombe
Robert Holcombe
Robert Wayne Holcombe is a free agent fullback who has played for the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.-St. Louis Rams:...

(4,105)
Receiving Yards: David Williams
David Williams (wide receiver)
David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(3,392)
Touchdowns: Howard Griffith
Howard Griffith
Howard Griffith is a retired American football fullback who spent 11 seasons in the NFL . While at the University of Illinois, Howard set the NCAA record for touchdowns in a game with eight. It occurred on September 8, 1990 against Southern Illinois University...

(33)
Touchdown Passes: Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was a quarterback for the University of Illinois during their 2001 Big Ten Championship.-High school career:...

(70)
Receptions: David Williams
David Williams (wide receiver)
David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(245)
Tackles: Dana Howard
Dana Howard (American football)
Dana Howard is a former American football player.In high school, Howard played for the East St. Louis Flyers, where he was coached by Bob Shannon. At the University of Illinois, Howard won the 1994 Dick Butkus Award, presented annually to the best linebacker in college football...

(495)
Interceptions: Al Brosky
Al Brosky
Alfred E. Brosky was a former American football player, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(30) *NCAA Record
Sacks: Simeon Rice
Simeon Rice
Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...

(44.5) *Big Ten Record

Season leaders

Passing Yards: Tony Eason
Tony Eason
Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason, IV is a former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Illinois and professional football for the New England Patriots and New York Jets .-Early years:Eason grew up in Walnut Grove, California, and attended Delta High School in Clarksburg,...

(3,671 in 1982)
Rushing Yards: Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions.-Early years:Leshoure attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois...

(1,697 in 2010)
Receiving Yards: David Williams
David Williams (wide receiver)
David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(1,278 in 1984)
Touchdowns: Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Jamal Mendenhall is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers 23rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois....

(19 in 2007), Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions.-Early years:Leshoure attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois...

(19 in 2010)
Touchdown Passes: Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was a quarterback for the University of Illinois during their 2001 Big Ten Championship.-High school career:...

(27 in 2001)
Receptions: David Williams
David Williams (wide receiver)
David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(101 in 1984)
Tackles: John Sullivan (202 in 1977)
Interceptions: Al Brosky
Al Brosky
Alfred E. Brosky was a former American football player, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(11 in 1950 and 1951)
Sacks: Simeon Rice
Simeon Rice
Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...

(16 in 1994)

Game leaders

Passing Yards: Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson (American football)
David "Dave" Carlton Wilson is a former professional American football player in the NFL who played with the New Orleans Saints from 1981-1988. A 6'3",...

(621 vs. Ohio State in 1980) *Big Ten Record
Rushing Yards: Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions.-Early years:Leshoure attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois...

(330 vs. Northwestern in 2010)
Receiving Yards: A.J. Jenkins (268 vs. Northwestern in 2011)
Touchdowns: Howard Griffith
Howard Griffith
Howard Griffith is a retired American football fullback who spent 11 seasons in the NFL . While at the University of Illinois, Howard set the NCAA record for touchdowns in a game with eight. It occurred on September 8, 1990 against Southern Illinois University...

(8 vs. Southern Illinois in 1990) *NCAA Record
Touchdown Passes: Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson (American football)
David "Dave" Carlton Wilson is a former professional American football player in the NFL who played with the New Orleans Saints from 1981-1988. A 6'3",...

(6 vs. Ohio State in 1980)
Receptions: David Williams
David Williams (wide receiver)
David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(16 vs. Purdue in 1985)
Tackles: John Sullivan
John Sullivan
John Sullivan was the third son of Irish immigrants, a United States general in the Revolutionary War, a delegate in the Continental Congress and a United States federal judge....

(34 vs. Minnesota in 1977)
Interceptions: Mike Gow (4 vs. Stanford in 1974)
Sacks: Simeon Rice
Simeon Rice
Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...

(5 vs. Washington State in 1994)

Individual honors

National Player of the Year

Dick Butkus

Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...

- 1964

Jim Grabowski

James S.Grabowski is a former American football player and broadcaster. Grabowski played collegiately at the University of Illinois and professionally for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, and served as an analyst on University of Illinois football radio broadcasts for nearly 30 years,...

- 1965

Sammy Baugh Trophy
Sammy Baugh Trophy
The Sammy Baugh Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top college passer. The award is named in honor of former Texas Christian University and Washington Redskins quarterback "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh. The trophy has been given out by the Touchdown Club of Columbus since 1959...

Jeff George

Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" George is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft...

- 1989

Butkus Award

Dana Howard

Dana Howard (American football)

Dana Howard is a former American football player.In high school, Howard played for the East St. Louis Flyers, where he was coached by Bob Shannon. At the University of Illinois, Howard won the 1994 Dick Butkus Award, presented annually to the best linebacker in college football...

- 1994

Kevin Hardy - 1995

CFPA Running Back Trophy

Mikel Leshoure

Mikel Leshoure is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions.-Early years:Leshoure attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois...

- 2010

No. 1 Overall Draft Pick

Jim Grabowski

- 1965... Miami

Dave Wilson

Dave Wilson (American football)

David "Dave" Carlton Wilson is a former professional American football player in the NFL who played with the New Orleans Saints from 1981-1988. A 6'3",...

- 1981... New Orleans

Jeff George

Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" George is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft...

- 1990... Indianapolis

Heisman Trophy finalists
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...

Buddy Young

Claude "Buddy" Young was an American football player. A native of Chicago, the 5'4" Claude "Buddy" Young, also known as the "Bronze Bullet," had exceptional quickness and acceleration. He is one of the shortest men ever to play NFL football...

- 1944... 5th

Bill Burrell

William Burrell is a former American football player at the University of Illinois.A linebacker and guard, in 1959 Burrell won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the MVP of the Big Ten Conference...

- 1959... 4th

Dick Butkus

- 1964... 3rd

Jim Grabowski

- 1965... 3rd

Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player
Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl or Rosebowl may also refer to:* Rose Bowl Game, an annual American college football bowl game in Pasadena, California* Rose Bowl , a football stadium in Pasadena, California...

George Halas

George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...

- 1919

Buddy Young

- 1946

Julius Rykovich - 1946

Bill Tate

Bill Tate is a former head coach of the Wake Forest college football program from 1964-1968. He was a graduate from Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Illinois....

- 1951

Jim Grabowski

- 1964

Chicago Tribune Silver Football (Big Ten Player of the Year)

Red Grange

Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...

- 1924

Alex Agase

-External links:...

- 1946

Bill Burrell

- 1959

Dick Butkus

- 1963

Jim Grabowski

- 1965

Don Thorp - 1983

Rashard Mendenhall

Rashard Jamal Mendenhall is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers 23rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois....

- 2007

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

Moe Gardner

Morris "Moe" Gardner, Jr. is a former professional American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Atlanta Falcons . Moe Gardner graduated from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana...

- 1990

Darrick Brownlow

Darrick Dewayne Brownlow is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at the University of Illinois and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft....

- 1990

Dana Howard

Dana Howard (American football)

- 1993 & 1994

Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Simeon Rice

Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...

- 1992

Arrelious Benn

-External links:**...

- 2007

Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year

Moe Gardner

- 1989

Simeon Rice

Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...

- 1994

National Coach of the Year

Mike White - 1983

Ron Zook

Ron Zook is a former American football coach and former player. He served as the head football coach at the University of Florida from 2002 to 2004 and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2005 to 2011. Zook is a native of Ohio and an alumnus of Miami University, where he...

- 2007

Big Ten Coach of the Year

Mike White - 1983

John Mackovic

John Mackovic is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup...

- 1988 & 1989

Ron Turner - 2001

Ron Zook

- 2007

College Football Hall of Famers

Retired football jerseys
Number	Player

50	Dick Butkus Dick Butkus Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...
77	Red Grange Red Grange Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...

Alex Agase
Alex Agase
-External links:...

(Guard, 1941–1942; 1946)
Bob Blackman
Bob Blackman
Bob Blackman was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Denver , Dartmouth College , the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign , and Cornell University , compiling a career college football record of...

(Head Coach, 1971–1976)
Al Brosky
Al Brosky
Alfred E. Brosky was a former American football player, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(Safety, 1950–1952)
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...

(Center/Linebacker, 1962–1964)
Chuck Carney
Chuck Carney
Charles "Chuck" Carney was an American football and basketball player. As an end and receiver, he played football for the University of Illinois from 1918-1921. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966...

(End, 1918–1921)
J.C. Caroline (Halfback, 1953–1954)
Jim Grabowski
Jim Grabowski
James S.Grabowski is a former American football player and broadcaster. Grabowski played collegiately at the University of Illinois and professionally for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, and served as an analyst on University of Illinois football radio broadcasts for nearly 30 years,...

(Fullback, 1963–1965)
Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...

(Halfback, 1923–1925)
Ed Hall
Ed Hall
-External links:...

(Head Coach, 1892–1893)
Bart Macomber
Bart Macomber
Franklin Bart Macomber was an American football player. He played halfback and quarterback for the University of Illinois from 1914 to 1916 and helped the school to its first national football championship and consecutive undefeated seasons in 1914 and 1915...

(Halfback, 1914–1916)
Bernie Shively
Bernie Shively
Bernie A. Shively was the athletic director at the University of Kentucky from 1938 until his death....

(Guard, 1924–1926)
David Williams
David Williams (wide receiver)
David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

(Wide Receiver, 1983–1985)
George Woodruff (Head Coach, 1903)
Claude "Buddy" Young (Halfback, 1944, 1946)
Bob Zuppke (Head Coach, 1913–1941)

Consensus All-Americans

Ralph Chapman
Ralph Chapman
Ralph D. "Slouie" Chapman was an American football player. He was the son of P.T. Chapman, a wealthy banker in Vienna, Illinois. He played at the guard position for Bob Zuppke's University of Illinois football team from 1912 to 1914. Chapman was selected as the captain of the 1914 Illinois...

- 1914
Perry Graves
Perry Graves
Perry H. Graves, Sr. , was an All-American football player who played end for the University of Illinois from 1913 to 1915. In later life, he owned lumber companies.-Biography:...

- 1914
Bart Macomber
Bart Macomber
Franklin Bart Macomber was an American football player. He played halfback and quarterback for the University of Illinois from 1914 to 1916 and helped the school to its first national football championship and consecutive undefeated seasons in 1914 and 1915...

- 1915
John Depler - 1918
Chuck Carney
Chuck Carney
Charles "Chuck" Carney was an American football and basketball player. As an end and receiver, he played football for the University of Illinois from 1918-1921. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966...

- 1920
Jim McMillen
Jim McMillen
James "Jim" McMillen was a professional American football player who played guard for seven seasons for the Chicago Bears. He was born in Grayslake, Illinois....

- 1923
Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...

- 1923, 1924, 1925
Bernie Shively
Bernie Shively
Bernie A. Shively was the athletic director at the University of Kentucky from 1938 until his death....

- 1926
Alex Agase
Alex Agase
-External links:...

- 1946
Johnny Karras - 1951
J.C. Caroline
J.C. Caroline
James C. "J.C." Caroline is a former American football player. Caroline was a collegiate All-American, and played professionally for ten seasons in the National Football League, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.Caroline played college football at the University of Illinois,...

- 1953
Bill Burrell
Bill Burrell
William Burrell is a former American football player at the University of Illinois.A linebacker and guard, in 1959 Burrell won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the MVP of the Big Ten Conference...

- 1959
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...

- 1963, 1964
Jim Grabowski
Jim Grabowski
James S.Grabowski is a former American football player and broadcaster. Grabowski played collegiately at the University of Illinois and professionally for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, and served as an analyst on University of Illinois football radio broadcasts for nearly 30 years,...

- 1965
David Williams
David Williams (wide receiver)
David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....

- 1984, 1985
Moe Gardner
Moe Gardner
Morris "Moe" Gardner, Jr. is a former professional American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Atlanta Falcons . Moe Gardner graduated from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana...

- 1989, 1990
Dana Howard
Dana Howard (American football)
Dana Howard is a former American football player.In high school, Howard played for the East St. Louis Flyers, where he was coached by Bob Shannon. At the University of Illinois, Howard won the 1994 Dick Butkus Award, presented annually to the best linebacker in college football...

- 1994
Kevin Hardy - 1995
J Leman
J Leman
Jeremy Jacob "J" Leman is an American football linebacker for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008...

- 2007

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...

, Class of 1963
George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...

, Class of 1963
Hugh "Shorty" Ray, Class of 1966
Ray Nitschke
Ray Nitschke
Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72....

, Class of 1978
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...

, Class of 1979
Bobby Mitchell
Bobby Mitchell
Robert Cornelius Mitchell is a former American football halfback and flanker in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins. Mitchell was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.-Early life:Mitchell was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas and attended...

, Class of 1983

Current NFL players

Alan Ball
Alan Ball (American football)
Alan Sheffield Ball is an American football safety and cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
Arrelious Benn
Arrelious Benn
-External links:**...
Danny Clark
Vontae Davis
Vontae Davis
-Miami Dolphins:Davis was signed by the Dolphins to a five-year deal with a guarantee in excess of $7 million. Davis recorded his first career interception in Week 4 of the 2009 season against Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, returning it 23 yards for a touchdown. Davis finished his rookie...
Will Davis
Will Davis (American football)
William Benjamin Davis, Jr. is a American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois.-Early years:...
David Diehl
David Diehl
David Diehl is an American football offensive guard with the New York Giants of the National Football League and is one of only two offensive lineman who entered the NFL in 2003 to start all 80 regular season games through the end of the 2008 season....
Kelvin Hayden
Kelvin Hayden
Kelvin Darnell Hayden, Jr. is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Illinois. He returned a Rex Grossman interception 56 yards for a...
Nathan Hodel
Nathan Hodel
Nathan William Hodel [] is an American football long snapper who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2001...
Greg Lewis
Brandon Lloyd
Brandon Lloyd
Brandon Matthew Lloyd is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Jamal Mendenhall is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers 23rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois....
Brit Miller
Brit Miller
Brit William Miller is an American football fullback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
Brandon Moore
Corey Liuget
Corey Liuget
Corey Devon Liuget is an American football defensive end for the San Diego Chargers. He played at Hialeah Senior High in Miami...
Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure
Mikel Leshoure is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions.-Early years:Leshoure attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois...
Tony Pashos
Tony Pashos
Anthony "Tony" George Pashos is an American football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois.Pashos has also played for the Cologne Centurions,...
Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas (American football)
Charles Pierre Thomas Jr. is an American football running back for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.- Early years :...
Steve Weatherford
Steve Weatherford
Steven "Steve" Thomas Weatherford is an American football punter for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
Eugene Wilson

Other notable players

Tim Brewster
Tim Brewster
Tim Brewster is an American football player and coach. He most recently served as the head coach of the University of Minnesota from 2007 until he was fired midway through the Golden Gophers' 2010 season.-Playing career:...

- Former Head Coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...

, University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
Bill Brown - Former NFL Running Back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Bill Burrell
Bill Burrell
William Burrell is a former American football player at the University of Illinois.A linebacker and guard, in 1959 Burrell won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the MVP of the Big Ten Conference...

- Former NFL player
Ken Dilger
Ken Dilger
Kenneth Ray Dilger is a retired professional American football player.-Early years:Ken Dilger was raised in Mariah Hill, Spencer County, Indiana. He attended Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana where he played quarterback; he also starred in basketball and baseball...

- Former NFL Tight End
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Tony Eason
Tony Eason
Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason, IV is a former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Illinois and professional football for the New England Patriots and New York Jets .-Early years:Eason grew up in Walnut Grove, California, and attended Delta High School in Clarksburg,...

- Former NFL Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Dwight Eddleman
Dwight Eddleman
Thomas Dwight "Dike" Eddleman is generally considered the greatest athlete in the history of athletics at the University of Illinois. Eddleman participated on the University's basketball, track and field, and football teams between the years of 1947 and 1949...

- Former Olympian
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...

and NBA player
Kevin Hardy - Former NFL Linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Jeff George
Jeff George
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" George is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft...

- Former NFL Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Howard Griffith
Howard Griffith
Howard Griffith is a retired American football fullback who spent 11 seasons in the NFL . While at the University of Illinois, Howard set the NCAA record for touchdowns in a game with eight. It occurred on September 8, 1990 against Southern Illinois University...

- Former NFL Fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
John Holecek
John Holecek
John Francis Holecek is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons for the Buffalo Bills, the San Diego Chargers, and the Atlanta Falcons. After retiring, he returned to Illinois to coach high school football at Loyola Academy, a private college...

- Former NFL Linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Brad Hopkins
Brad Hopkins
Bradley D. Hopkins is a former American football player. He played left tackle for 13 seasons in the National Football League, all of them with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans organization.-Early years:...

- Former NFL Offensive Tackle
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. is an African-American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to...

- Political Activist
Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was a quarterback for the University of Illinois during their 2001 Big Ten Championship.-High school career:...

- Former NFL Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Ryan McPartlin
Ryan McPartlin
Ryan McPartlin is an American actor, best known for his role as Devon "Captain Awesome" Woodcomb on NBC's Chuck.-Early life:...

- Actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
Ed O'Bradovich
Ed O'Bradovich
Edward O'Bradovich is a former American football defensive end in the NFL. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 1962 NFL Draft, he spent his entire ten-year career with the Bears...

- Former NFL Defensive End
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Simeon Rice
Simeon Rice
Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...

- Former NFL Defensive End
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Jack Trudeau
Jack Trudeau
Jack Francis Trudeau is a former professional American football player and current morning show co-host on Fox Sports Radio. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2nd round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'3",...

- Former NFL Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Jason Davis
Jason Davis (American football)
Jason Sidney Arthur Davis is an American football fullback for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2006...

- UFL
UFL
UFL or UFl may refer to:Chemistry:* Upper flammable limit, the flammability limit describing the richest flammable mixture of a combustible gasColleges and universities:...

Fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...

for the Hartford Colonials

External links

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