When Illinois upset Michigan last weekend, it marked the first Illini win over a reigning national champion since October 10, 1942. Back then, the Illini beat Minnesota, AP National Champions with an 8-0 record in 1941, 20-13 at home. For the Illini, it ended a 14 game losing streak against reigning national champions, and set up for a major showdown at #1 Oregon this … [Read more...] about Illini Notes: Leather Helmets, Memorial Stadium Museum, Beating Natl Champs, Playing #1
Red Grange
#22 Fighting Illini vs #24 Michigan Wolverines FYIs, Lines, TV, Ticket Info
The #22 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1, 2-1) will host the #24 Michigan Wolverines this Saturday for the Memorial Stadium Rededication Game. This comes 100 years and one day after Memorial Stadium's initial dedication game, which saw Red Grange score six touchdowns (four in the first 12 minutes), as the Fighting Illini blew out the Wolverines 39-14. Grange took the opening … [Read more...] about #22 Fighting Illini vs #24 Michigan Wolverines FYIs, Lines, TV, Ticket Info
#24 Michigan Wolverines at #21 Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview, Prediction
It's here! The TRUE Homecoming weekend for the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2024. We say that because this is the real "circle the date" game on the calendar, as the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines come to town. It's the real homecoming because all the alumni and University luminaries will be back on campus for this special occasion centennial. It's a sold … [Read more...] about #24 Michigan Wolverines at #21 Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview, Prediction
Gray Ghost Uniform Fun as Red Grange Game Centennial Approaches
Friday brings the 100th anniversary of Red Grange's historic Homecoming performance against Michigan in the Memorial Stadium dedication game on Oct. 18, 1924. In that game, the Gray Ghost scored four touchdowns and racked up 262 total yards in the first 12 minutes, then ran for a fifth touchdown later on, and after that threw for a sixth TD to lead the Illinois Fighting Illini … [Read more...] about Gray Ghost Uniform Fun as Red Grange Game Centennial Approaches
Why Illini Legend Red Grange Was Named the #1 Big Ten Icon
Saturday brings No. 23 Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) hosting No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) at what will be a sold out Memorial Stadium. It will mark the Illini's Rededication Game, or 100th anniversary of the Red Grange game, which will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. So with that in mind, we re-publish this Red Grange piece from 2011. … [Read more...] about Why Illini Legend Red Grange Was Named the #1 Big Ten Icon
Howard Griffith on Meeting Red Grange, His Eight TD Game
With the 100th anniversary of the Red Grange/Memorial Stadium dedication game approaching, we re-publish this exclusive with Howard Griffith, covering the time he met Red Grange. The piece, written by Paul Schmidt, ran originally in 2010. … [Read more...] about Howard Griffith on Meeting Red Grange, His Eight TD Game
College Football Preview Series: the 32 teams we’ll cover this summer
It's already that time of year when this site shifts more into pop culture, media and entertainment mode. What did you think I did when there was no football and basketball? Well, Spurs vs Heat Finals? Yawn.Been there. Done that. And the Blackhawks have obviously jumped the shark now. So hockey and NBA are both done for me for this season. That summer lull of dullness also … [Read more...] about College Football Preview Series: the 32 teams we’ll cover this summer
Illinois Removing 2,200 Bleacher Seats from Memorial Stadium
The University of Illinois announced today that they will permanently remove close to 2,200 seats from Memorial Stadium because they've outlived their usage. Illini SID Kent Brown said removal of the bleacher seats will drop stadium capacity from 62,870 to about 60,600. These bleacher seats in the south end zone were intended to be temporary when they were installed 29 … [Read more...] about Illinois Removing 2,200 Bleacher Seats from Memorial Stadium
Will Super Bowl Make Rashard Mendenhall Greatest Illini Rusher Ever?
For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl will have a feature back from the University of Illinois. This time, the Illini tailback is the Pittsburgh Steelers' Rashard Mendenhall; who in 2008 became the first University of Illinois player taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1996. 14 years ago, UI produced the #2 (Kevin Hardy taken by Jacksonville) and #3 … [Read more...] about Will Super Bowl Make Rashard Mendenhall Greatest Illini Rusher Ever?
Mendenhall, Pierre Thomas Making Illinois Running Back U. (sort of)
By Paul M. Banks It hasn’t been the greatest season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it has been a very productive campaign for the man who usurped Willie Parker as starting tailback. This year Rashard Mendenhall is living up to the lofty expectations he had as a first round draft pick in 2008. The Skokie native and University of Illinois product is in the NFL’s top ten in … [Read more...] about Mendenhall, Pierre Thomas Making Illinois Running Back U. (sort of)