2011 Illinois Fighting Illini Additional Information

[BB73]

2011 Illinois Fighting Illini Additional Information​

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
​

Official School Bio- Ron Zook

Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios- Assistant Coaches
Joe Gilbert - Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Line
Vic Koenning - Defensive Coordinator / Inside Linebackers
Paul Petrino - Offensive Coordinator / Receivers
Jeff Brohm - Quarterbacks Coach
Mike Gillhamer - Secondary Coach
Keith Gilmore - Defensive Line Coach
Chip Long - Tight Ends/Fullbacks Coach
DeAndre Smith - Running Backs Coach
Ron West - Outside Linebackers Coach
Jon Carvin - Graduate Asst. Coach-Offense
Byron 'Bam' Hardmon - Graduate Asst. Coach-Defense
Lou Hernandez - Strength & Conditioning Coach
Adrian Melendez - Director of Football Operations
Nick Richey - Head Football Athletic Trainer
Tony Buyniski - Video Director
Trent Chesnut - Head Football Equipment Manager
​

Recruiting

Name Pos Height Weight - Hometown - Scout/Rivals rating
​

2012 Verbals Commitments

Scout.com - #67 overall class - 7-3*, 2-2*, 0-N/R - 2.78* average
Rivals.com - unranked (#11 in Big Ten) - 6-3*, 2-2*, 1-N/R - 2.67* average

Taylor Barton WR 6-2.5 199 Orlando, FL - 2*/3*
Elliot Faerber WR 6-5 208 Shawnee Mission, KS - 3*/3*
Tajarvis Fuller LB 6-1 185 Ft. Myers, FL - 3*/3*
Zach Jackson S 6-0 180 Snellville, GA - 3*/N-R
Cody Quinn CB 5-10 165 Middletown, OH - 3*/3*
JJ Robertson WR 6-0 185 Frankfort, IL - 3*/2*
Joseph Spencer OT 6-4 275 Mason, OH - 3*/3*
Joe Warburg OG 6-6 265 Lousivlle, KY - 2*/2*
Vontrell Williams DT 6-3 275 Mt. Carmel, IL - 3*/3*

2011 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #37 overall class - 1-4*, 17-3*, 9-2* - 2.70* average
Rivals.com - #42 overall class - 1-4*, 21-3*, 5-2* - 2.85* average

[strike]Willie Beavers OT 6-5 330 Lathrup Village, MI - 2*/3*[/strike]
Chris Boles OG 6-4 315 Toledo, OH - 3*/3*
Darrius Caldwell DE 6-5 210 Atlanta, GA - 3*/3*
Ralph Cooper LB 6-1.5 215 Winnsboro, SC - 3*/3*
Valdon Cooper RB 5-9 165 Elberton, GA - 2*/3*
Jon Davis TE 6-3 230 Middletown, KY - 4*/3*
Henry Dickinson LB 6-4 210 Memphis, TN - 2*/3*
Tony Durkin OC 6-3 270 Tinley Park, IL - 3*/3*
Justin DuVernois P 6-1 190 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - 2*/2*
Joshua Ferguson RB 5-9 180 Joliet, IL - 3*/3*
Patrick Flavin OT 6-7 260 Lisle, IL - 3*/3*
Jordan Frysinger WR 6-0 175 Corning, NY - 2*/2*
Zeph Grimes S 6-0 200 Bamberg, SC - 3*/3*
Chris Jones DT 6-5 260 Jacksonville, FL - 3*/3*
Ted Karras OT 6-4 275 Indianapolis, IN - 2*/3*
[strike]Dondi Kirby CB 6-3 190 Monroeville, PA - 3*/4*[/strike]
Kenny Knight WR 6-3 190 Beverly Hills, MI - 3*/3*
Matt LaCosse TE 6-6 215 Naperville, IL - 3*/3*
Scott McDowell OT 6-5 265 Hinsdale, IL - 3*/3*
Ken Nelson DE 6-5 230 Detroit, MI - 2*/2*
Nick North S 6-1 185 Hollywood, FL - 3*/2*
Chris O'Connor DE 6-5 235 Tinley Park, IL - 3*/3*
Reilly O'Toole QB 6-3 200 Wheaton, IL - 3*/3*
Eaton Spence CB 6-0 175 Belle Glade, FL - 2*/2*
[strike]Clint Tucker DT 6-2 285 E. St. Louis, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Jeremy Whitlow WR 6-2 188 Cleveland, OH - 2*/3*
Donovonn Young RB 5-10 200 Katy, TX - 3*/3*

2010 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #57 class - 1-4*, 8-3*, 13-2* - 2.45* average
Rivals.com - class unranked - 1-4*, 12-3*, 9-2* - 2.64* average

Shawn Afryl OL 6-3 301 - Niles, IL - 3*/3*
Houston Bates DE 6-2 218 Covington, LA - 3*/3*
Jonathan Brown LB 6-1 225 Memphis, TN - 3*/3*
Simon Cvijanovic OT 6-5 280 Cleveland, OH - 2*/2*
Ean Days RB 5-11 187 Kingsland, GA - 2*/2*
Brandon Denmark DE 6-4 214 Tallahassee, FL - 2*/3*
Spencer Harris WR 6-3 185 Greenwood, AR - 2*/2*
Michael Heitz OL 6-6 257 - Table Grove, IL - 3*/3*
Trulon Henry S 6-1 225 Washington DC - 2*/2* - JUCO
Alex Hill C 6-4 315 Slidell, LA- 3*/3*
Jake Howe FB 6-3 260 McHenry, IL - 2*/2*
Ryan Lankford WR 6-0 157 Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*
Darius Millines WR 5-11 180 Delray Beach, FL - 3*/3*
Miles Osei QB 6-1 190 Mt. Prospect, IL - 2*/3*
Jay Prosch LB 6-2 245 Mobile, AL - 2*/2*
Austin Teitsma DE 6-3 235 Glen Ellyn, IL - 2*/2*
Earnest Thomas S 6-2 195 Orchard Lake, MI - 3*/3*
[strike]Chandler Whitmer QB 6-1 185 - Downers Grove, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Anthony Williams TE 6-5 195 Virginia Beach, VA - 2*/2*
Evan Wilson TE 6-6 225 Woodstock, GA - 2*/3*
[strike]Mark Wilson LB 6-2 225 - Tallahassee, FL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Dejazz Woods DE 6-3 214 Tampa, FL - 2*/2*

2009 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #35 class - 5-4*, 6-3*, 9-2* - 2.80* average
Rivals.com - #35 class - 7-4*, 8-3*, 5-2* - 3.10* average

[strike]Walter Aikens S 6-1 183 - Charlotte, NC - 2*/2*[/strike]
Michael Buchanan DE 6-6 220 - Flossmoor, IL - 3*/4*
[strike]Lendell Buckner DT 6-3 341 - Chicago, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Andrew Carter OL 6-4 264 - Tallahassee, FL - 4*/3*
Jake Feldmeyer OL 6-4 265 - Centerville, OH - 2*/2*
[strike]Greg Fuller RB 6-1 242 - Harvey, IL - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Bud Golden RB 6-0 191 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/4*[/strike]
Justin Green CB 5-10 178 - Louisville, KY - 4*/4*
[strike]Aaron Gress LB 6-2 240 - Exeter, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
Terry Hawthorne WR 6-0 168 - East St. Louis, IL - 4*/4*
[strike]Leon Hill OL 6-4 320 - Chicago, IL - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Tommie Hopkins DB 5-11 175 - East St. Louis, IL - 3*/3* [/strike]
Steve Hull WR 6-2 176 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
Tim Kynard DE 6-3 240 - Toledo, OH - 2*/2*
Justin Lattimore TE 6-3 215 - Tampa, FL - 2*/2*
Nathan Scheelhaase QB 6-3 184 - Kansas City, MO - 4*/4*
Akeem Spence DT 6-1 280 Ft. Walton Beach, FL - 2*/3*
Hugh Thornton OL 6-5 285 - Oberlin, OH - 2*/3*
[strike]Joelil Thrash DB 6-0 181 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Eric Watts LB 6-1 219 - Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*[/strike]

2008 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #19 class - 6-4*, 14-3*, 8-2* - 2.93* average
Rivals.com - #23 class - 6-4*, 16-3*, 6-2* - 3.00* average

Jeffery Allen OL 6-4 324 - Chicago, IL - 2*/2*
[strike]Jacob Charest QB 6-4 192 - Matthews, NC - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]London Davis TE 6-4 255 - Cahokia, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Russell Ellington LB 6-2 203 - Homewood, IL - 3*/2*
[strike]Reggie Ellis DT 6-2 278 - Washington, DC - 3*/4*[/strike]
Jason Ford RB 5-10 209 - Belleville, IL - 3*/3*
Glenn Foster DE 6-4 223 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Evan Frierson LB 6-2 217 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Hubie Graham TE 6-4 227 - Scranton , PA - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Donsay Hardeman DB 6-2 220 - Milledgeville, GA - 4*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
Alfred Jenkins WR 6-0 170 - Jacksonville, FL - 4*/3*
[strike]Mikel LeShoure RB 6-0 220 - Champaign, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Corey Lewis OL 6-6 278 - Cresco, PA - 2*/3*
[strike]Corey Liuget DT 6-3 260 - Hialeah, FL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Whitney Mercilus DE 6-3 225 - Akron, OH - 2*/3*
[strike]Patrick Nixon ATH 5-10 180 - Jacksonville, FL - 3*/3* [/strike]
Nate Palmer LB 6-3 228 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Graham Pocic OL 6-7 316 - Lemont, IL - 4*/4*
[strike]Jack Ramsey ATH 5-11 182 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Tyler Sands OL 6-5 290 - Boyertown, PA - 3*/3*
Supo Sanni LB 6-3 197 - Homewood, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Cordale Scott WR 6-3 200 - Cleveland, OH - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Ryan Sedlacek OL 6-4 292 - Westport, CT - 2*/2*[/strike]
Justin Staples LB 6-4 215 - Lakewood, OH - 3*/3*
Fred Sykes WR 6-0 175 - Tampa, FL - 2*/3*
[strike]Ugochukwu Uzodinma DE 6-4 240 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*[/strike]
Ashante Williams DB 5-10 191 - Mayfield, OH - 2*/2*
Tavon Wilson DB 6-0 179 - Washington, DC - 3*/3*

2007 recruiting Class

Scout.com - #20 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 8-3*, 6-2*, 1-N/A - 3.14* average
Rivals.com - #20 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 11-3*, 3-2*, 1-N/A - 3.29* average

[strike]Daryle Ballew DT 6-3 285 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Arrelious Benn WR 6-1 210 - Washington, D.C. - 5*/5*[/strike]
[strike]Josh Brent DT 6-3 280 - Bloomington, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Nathan Bussey ATH 6-2 202 - Washington, D.C. - 3*/3*[/strike]
Jack Cornell Jr. OL 6-5 291 - Quincy, IL - 4*/3*
[strike]Daniel Dufrene RB 5-11 205 - Visalia, CA - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Clarence "Bo" Flowers QB 6-2 220 - Melrose Park, IL - N-A/N-A[/strike]
[strike]Brian Gamble DB 5-11 185 - Massillon, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Mike Garrity OL 6-6 255 - Batavia, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Phil Haig QB 6-3 185 - Inver Grove Heights, MN - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Deries Hodge RB 6-0 213 - Harrisburg, PA - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Mark Jackson OL 6-6 312 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Steve Matas DE 6-5 270 - Mentor, OH - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]D'Angelo McCray DT 6-4 289 - Jacksonville, FL - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Anthony Morris DB 6-3 200 - Harvey, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Troy Pollard RB 5-8 177 - Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*
[strike]Darius Purcell DB 5-10 210 - Chicago, IL - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Erique Robertson LB 5-10 207 - Maple Heights, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
Ian Thomas LB 6-0 206 - Berwyn Heights, MD - 3*/2*
Marcus Thomas DB 5-11 157 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Craig Wilson OL 6-7 290 - Chatham, VA - 4*/4*
[strike]Martez Wilson DE 6-4 230 - Chicago, IL - 5*/5*[/strike]

2006 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #28 class - 3-4*, 13-3*, 11-2* - 2.70* average
Rivals.com - #30 class - 6-4*, 12-3*, 9-2* - 2.89* average

[strike]Jon Asamoah OL 6-5 250 - Park Forest, IL - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Travon Bellamy DB 6-0 178 - Greenbelt, MD - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Jerry Brown DE 6-4 262 - St. Louis, MO - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Jeff Cumberland ATH 6-4 220 - Columbus, OH - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Vontae Davis DB 6-0 184 - Washington, D.C. - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Chris Duvalt DB 5-10 159 - Lakeland, FL - 2*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Garrett Edwards DB 6-2 192 - Downers Grove, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Antonio Gully DB 6-0 175 - St. Louis, MO - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Dere Hicks DB 5-10 175 - Valley Forge, PA - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Michael Hoomanawanui TE 6-5 230 - Bloomington, IL - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Randall Hunt OL 6-6 286 - Wayne, PA - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Anterio Jackson LB 6-2 240 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Antonio James DE 6-5 245 - Massillon, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Chris James WR 6-0 177 - Chicago, IL - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Dustin Jefferson LB 6-0 203 - Kankakee, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Brandon Jordan OL 6-5 290 - Merrillville, IN - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Eddie McGee QB 6-4 189 - Washington, D.C. - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Joe Morgan WR 6-2 175 - Canton, OH - 3*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Clay Nurse DE 6-3 235 - Beltsville, MD -2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Ryan Palmer OL 6-6 274 - Canton, OH - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Justin Sanders DB 6-2 - Booneville, MS - 2*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Rahkeem Smith LB 6-1 220 - Hargrave Prep, Chatham, VA - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Antonio Steele LB 6-2 215 - Long Beach, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Marques Wilkins WR 6-0 182 - Decatur, IL - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Isiah Williams QB 6-2 207 - Chicago, IL 4*/4*[/strike]
Craig Wilson OL 6-5 290 - Harvey, IL - 2*/3* - Prep - See 2006
[strike]Kyle Yelton K 6-1 180 4.65 - Chesterton, IN - 3*/2*[/strike]

Name Ht Wt - Hometown - Scout/Rivals rating
Bold indicates starter
No longer on roster​

Behind the Numbers

What a difference a year makes. Last year, the Illini gave the Buckeyes all they could handle in spite of Ohio State's vast superiority on paper. This year... well... let's just say the match-up problem hasn't gone away.

The match-up problem is cast in sharp relief by the sack numbers. Illinois has 22 sacks on the year which is good for 6th in the nation. The Buckeyes have given up 15 sacks already, which puts them at 90th place in the Football Bowl Subdivision. This is precisely the kind of match-up that Illinois takes advantage of; not to mention how it worked out against Michigan State. But it gets worse. Of those 22 sacks, only 7 came against Arkansas State, South Dakota State and Western Michigan. Against BCS schools, teams that Illinois respects, they averaged 5 sacks a game. Send up your prayers for Braxton Miller's ankle; he'll be needing that wheel.

Of course, focusing on the match-up problem is almost like whistling past the graveyard. It is ignoring the very real fact that Illinois is just plain better than Ohio State on paper this year. Let's take a look.

In fact, let's throw out those sack stats. While we're at it, let's throw out ALL of the stats that don't speak directly to how well a team moves the ball or scores with it. Let's examine ONLY the number that represents the average national rank for the 10 core stats (Rushing, Passing, Total, Scoring and Pass Efficiency for both Offense and Defense). In so doing, we see that Illinois has improved greatly from last year, while Ohio State has gone the other direction.

___________________ILLINOIS_____tOSU
AVG Rank in 2010______49.1______13.1
AVG Rank in 2011______28.2______56.6

I can hear it already. Some will look at those numbers and claim that Illinois has had an easy schedule thus far. Let's entertain this predictable objection for a moment. First, let's throw out the obvious sticking point, the Illini game against FCS South Dakota State. To balance this, we'll throw out the Buckeyes' game against Akron. This seems fair, as both teams had over 510ish yards to 90ish yard advantages in the discarded game. Now that all of the remaining teams are in the FBS, we can examine their average rank in the 10 core stats previously mentioned. The result is that Ohio State's opponents' average rank in these stats is 55.2, while the teams on Illinois' schedule come in at 56.1; a difference of less than one place in the rankings.

With schedule strength so similar and stats so in favor of Illinois, not to mention the match-up issues; Saturday might be a very long day in Champaign.​

The Lighter Side

Ah yes, The Lighter Side. Lighter apparently is the nature of any potential penalties if you're good at having people funnel cash to [strike] players [/strike] players' families.

Yessir, the Not Consistent At All folks have decided to end their investigation into Auburn's potential violations involving Cam Newton. It's nice to know that since Terrelle Pryor is now finally eligible to play NFL football this week, Cam Newton won't have to worry about Roger Goodell imposing some kind of punishment in case Cam got found guilty of any NCAA violations 9 months after celebrating the BCS Title, and 10 months after winning the same trophy that Reggie Bush said he'd return to the folks in New York City (we're still waiting for the story that says the trophy made it back to NYC). Since Cam is now producing huge numbers for fantasy football players, it would be a shame if some troubles from his college days interrupted that.

Somebody might wonder if Auburn would have received a little more negative attention if they weren't a member of the Sacred to Espn Conference, but that would be cynical. The nonstop attention the Disney boys have given to the pair of guys that were on Auburn's Board of Trustees, guys who have been arrested for political bribery and/or had their bank taken over by federal authorities, is just too much to bear. The clamoring over potential wrongdoing just gets Lowder and Lowder all the time. Well, actually those two links are the first two links that appear when I googled "ESPN Bobby Lowder Auburn Trustee": one is an article from 2006, and the other is a piece from a few months ago that said he's stepping down as an Auburn board member, while noting the bank failure and including a few quotes from a former trustee calling Lowder a "tremendous leader" and praising his "many contributions.".

It seems that Auburn is unlikely to have to produce a 700+ page series of documents to satisfy requests from ESPN based on the Freedom of Information Act, as tOSU released this week.

Well, in college sports, Nobody Created Absolute Adequation. When it's time for programs to receive a checkup from the powers that be, programs all bend over. It's just that some of them stonewall and get their asses kissed by the media, and others self-report and get paddled.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdFLPn30dvQ"]Kevin Bacon - Fraternity Paddle - YouTube[/ame]​

Traditions & Opponent Perspective

The Fighting Illini are very rich with traditions, old and new.

• Illinois hosted its first-ever home game Nov. 26, 1890.
• One of the most dramatic and dignified traditions in college athletics was the performance of Chief Illiniwek (pronounced "ill-EYE-nih-wek".) Since 1926, this symbol had stirred pride and respect in audiences at Memorial Stadium. Illiniwek was the name of the loose confederation of Algonquin tribes that once lived in the region. The French changed the ending to "ois" in naming what became the state of Illinois. Illiniwek means "they are men" (insert grunting noises here). But Chief Illiniwek was banned in February 2007 because of racial insensitivity. In 2005, the NCAA termed Chief a "hostile or abusive" mascot and banned the university from playing host to postseason events as long as the chief was used as a symbol.
• The Illini have 3 trophy games, they are as follows:
• 1. 'Illibuck; is (or was) a turtle, destined for long life, it was hoped. But the wear and tear of traveling between Champaign-Urbana and Columbus was too much, even for a hardy marine reptile. 'Illibuck' died in the spring of 1927 and his successor is now a wooden replica. Members of two junior honorary societies, Bucket and Dipper of Ohio State and Sachem of Illinois, annually meet at halftime of the Fighting Illini-Buckeye game to present the "Illibuck" trophy to last year's winning school. In the past the ritual also included the smoking of a peace pipe. The Illini gave up the "Illibuck" trophy in 2008, after winning it in Columbus in an upset victory over the #1 Buckeyes in 2007.
• 2. The "Cannon," more accurately known as the Purdue Cannon, made its first trip to Champaign-Urbana in 1905 when a group of Purdue students brought it to fire after a Boilermaker victory. Purdue won the game, 29-0, but the Cannon was never fired. Illinois student Quincy Hall found the Cannon hidden near the old Illinois Field. Hall and a group of Delta Upsilon brothers confiscated the Cannon and held it until 1943 when they donated it as a symbol of the Illinois-Purdue rivalry. Tomahawk Service and Leadership honorary at Purdue and Illini Pride of Illinois maintain the trophy when the respective school has won it. After 5 straight losses to the Boilermakers, the Illini won the Cannon back with a 44-10 win in Champaign in 2010.
• 3. The "Land of Lincoln Trophy". The story of the Illinois-Northwestern trophy dates back to 1945 when the staff members of the two student newspapers conceived the idea of a wooden Indian trophy, "Sweet Sioux." In September 1946, "Sweet Sioux" was stolen from a showcase at Northwestern. A Tomahawk Trophy was inaugurated in 1947 to replace the wooden Indian and has been used since. "Sweet Sioux" was found in 1948, but was discarded because of its bulk. The trophy was in Champaign after a 2007 victory, but was reclaimed by Northwestern in 2008. In 2009, the trophy was changed to the 'Land of Lincoln Trophy', which has a stovepipe hat like the one worn by the 16th President.
• Shortly after the University opened in 1868, a military band was organized. The military band became the Concert Band, and gave its first formal concert in 1890. The University of Illinois Bands of today are the top of a pyramid of university band organizations, both concert and marching, which regularly enroll more than 700 students. The marching band will perform pregame and halftime shows at all seven home football games this year, as well as selected road games. The unique style of the Marching Illini has become famous, representing a combination of past traditions and exciting innovations.
• For over 100 years, the Illinois student cheering section known as "Block-I" has remained an innovative place of fun and excitement for young Illini Football fans. Beginning in 1910, Block-I was formed as a pep club for Illinois students at home games, providing entertainment and student interaction during Illinois athletic events. In 1924, Block-I took permanent residence in the east stands of Memorial Stadium and two years later, in 1926, became a visual staple among Memorial Stadium tradition with the performance of card stunts during the games by its members. From the 1950s to the '70s, a second Block-I performed in the west balcony of the stadium, mirroring the card stunts performed in the east stands. Beginning in 2004, Block-I merged with Illini Pride, the official student support group of all Illinois' 19 varsity sports.
• Block-I is comprised of students who value old Illini traditions while embracing new ones. They can still be found trampling to the beat of the Marching Illini's "William Tell Overture." During this song the students put their arms around one another and jump up and down. With the 2011 season marking its 101st year in existence, Block-I still remains the premier seating choice among students and a true example of Loyalty, Tradition, and Pride at Illinois.
• The Chief performed the dance with the Marching Illini during a performance known as the Three-in-One. The dance has two main parts, the downfield dance and the solo dance. The Three-in-One consists of three traditional University of Illinois songs: "Pride of the Illini"; "March of the Illini"; and the Alma Mater, "Hail to the Orange". Before the Cheif was retired, this celebrated tradition was performed at the conclusion of virtually every halftime show in Memorial Stadium for nearly 75 years.
• The Alma Mater, "Hail to the Orange", was written by H. R. Green and Harold V. Hill and is the third part of "Three-in-One". The Marching Illini sings "Hail to the Orange" a capella in four parts to close out the afternoon after marching back to the Harding Band Building following the game and at most formal concerts. The words are as follows:
  "Hail to the Orange, Hail to the Blue,
  ​
  Hail Alma Mater,
  Ever so true (so true).
  We love no other, so let our motto be
  Victory, Illinois, Varsity!"
  ​
• After every score, the male cheerleaders do pushups that equal the score at that point in the game.
• At the conclusion of their games there is a bell that is rung for each point scored during the game.

​

Historical Data

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL) Founded in 1867

Football 1st Season: 1890
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Constructed: 1923 (Most recent renovations completed in 2008)
Seating Capacity: 60,760
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Conference: Independent 1890, Illinois Intercollegiate Football League 1891-1895, Big Ten Conference since 1896
Colors: Orange and Blue
Mascot: Chief Illiniwek (retired)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 15 Big Ten Titles: 1910*, 1914, 1915*, 1918*, 1919, 1923*, 1927, 1928, 1946, 1951, 1953*, 1963, 1983, 1990*, 2001 (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 24 (19 different players as of 2011)
College Hall-of-Famers: 15
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 6 (Dick Butkus, Harold 'Red' Grange, George Halas, Bobby Mitchell, Ray Nitschke, Hugh 'Shorty' Ray)
Award Winners: 2 Butkus Awards, 1 Butkus Silver Ann., 1 Walter Camp COY, 1 Sammy Baugh Trophy
National Championships: 4 Recognized National Championships - 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-13 years, Coaches-13 years
​

Records

All Time: 579-528-51 (.522)
Bowl Games: 7-9-0 (.438), most recently a 38-14 win over Baylor in the 2010 Texas Bowl
All Time vs the B1G: 333-378-32 (.470)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 30-63-4 (.330), the most recent meeting was a 24-13 loss to the Bucks in Champaign in 2010.
Coach's Record: Ron Zook, 2005 - 2011, 34-45-0 (.430), career mark of 57-59-0 (.491)

2010 Season: 7-6-0 (.538)
Sep 04 - L vs Missouri (in St. Louis), 13-23
Sep 11 - W vs Southern Illinois, 35-3
Sep 18 - W vs Northern Illinois, 28-2
Oct 02 - L vs Ohio State, 13-24
Oct 09 - W at Penn State, 33-13
Oct 16 - L at Michigan State, 6-26
Oct 23 - W vs Indiana, 43-13
Oct 30 - W vs Purdue, 44-10
Nov 06 - L at Michigan, 65-67 (3OT)
Nov 13 - L vs Minnesota, 34-38
Nov 20 - W at Northwestern (Wrigley Field), 48-27
Dec 03 - L at Fresno State, 23-25
Dec 29 - W vs Baylor, 38-14, Texas Bowl

2011 Schedule (6-0)
Sep 03 - W vs Arkansas State, 33-15
Sep 10 - W vs South Dakota, 56-3
Sep 17 - W vs Arizona St, 17-14
Sep 24 - W vs W. Michigan, 23-20
Oct 01 - W vs Northwestern, 38-35
Oct 08 - W at Indiana, 41-20
Oct 15 - vs Ohio State, 3:30 ET
Oct 22 - at Purdue, Noon ET
Oct 29 - at Penn St, TBA
Nov 05 - BYE
Nov 12 - vs Michigan State, TBA
Nov 19 - vs Wisconsin, TBA
Nov 26 - at Minnesota, TBA
​

Links

Official Sites:
Official School Site - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Official Alumni Site - University of Illinois Alumni Association
Student Newspaper - Daily Illini
Official Athletic Site - Fighting Illini
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference

Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Inside Illini (Scout)
Message Boards - Orange & Blue News (Rivals)
Message Boards - Illinois (Sports-Boards)

Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo/Rivals
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - Covers

Blog - Illini Talk
Blog - IlliniHQ
Blog - Mark Tupper (Decatur Herald & Review)
Blog - Ronler Ramblings
Blog - Eye on the Illini (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Blog - IllinoisLoyalty
Blog - FanBlogs
Blog - CoachRonZook.com

Local News Sources:
Chicago Tribune - Local News
Chicago Sun Times - Local News
Quad City Times - Local News
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Local News
Chicago Daily Herald - Local News
Decatur Herald-Review - Local News
The News-Gazette - Local News
WLS - ABC Chicago
WBBM - CBS Chicago
WCCU - Fox Champaign/Urbana
WMAO - NBC Chicago

Team Previews and Breakdowns:

Illinois 2011 Football Preview - SportsBookLists
Illinois 2011 Football Preview - Opposing Views
Illinois 2011 Football Preview - Big Ten Portal
Illinois 2011 Football Preview - IllinoisLoyalty
Illinois 2011 Football Preview - ChiCitySports
Illinois 2011 Football Preview - Examiner.com
Illinois 2011 Football Preview - Windy City Banter

B1G Conference Previews and Breakdowns:

2011 BigTen Prospectus - BigTen
2011 BigTen Media Guide (PDF) - BigTen
2011 BigTen Composite Schedule - BigTen
2011 BigTen Statistics - BigTen
2011 BigTen Weekly Releases - BigTen
2011 BigTen Weekly Results - BigTen
2011 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2011 CFN Preseason Unit Preview - CFN
2011 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2011 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll

Travel:

Fan Guide (PDF) - FightingIllini
Parking Map (PDF) - FightingIllini
Gameday Central - FightingIllini
Game FAQ - FightingIllini​

Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data

Link to 2011 Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview​