It’s homecoming at the University of Illinois, where the tradition began many moons ago–a chance to see how the campus has changed, meet old friends, and win the darn football game! This week’s opponent is the Minnesota Golden Gophers, coached by my good friend and former Fighting Illini great Tim Brewster.

When Public Enemy rapped “Welcome to the Terrordome,” they must have been thinking about the Illini’s dismal record in the HHH Dome. Next year Illinois will play at the new outdoor stadium on the Minnesota campus, so the dome doom should stop. Fortunately, this week’s game is in the 217. This week’s tale is about a great escape from the Hump Dome.

November 5, 1994: The 1994 football season was the most frustrating in UI history. Illinois lost five games by a total of 22 points. This was my first year in law school, so Illinois’ excruciating season added to my misery. Losing to Washington State at Soldier Field by one point (awful offense), losing to Purdue on homecoming (Dilger tackled at the 1-yard line by a 160-pound defensive back), that clip that wasn’t called when Amani Toomer ran back a punt for Michigan...I’d better stop now before I go postal.

Anyhow, Illinois was 5-3 going to Minnesota, a place where they always seem to struggle. To no one’s surprise, Minnesota led 17-6 entering the fourth quarter. Illinois scored a touchdown from Ty Douthard to narrow the lead to 17-14, then forced a Minnesota punt and moved the football. Johnny Johnson remained confident despite two earlier interceptions: “I knew if I got the ball again we had a chance to win.” Sure enough, Johnson hit Ken Dilger with a 33-yard pass to the Minnesota 38-yard line. On third and 14 from the Minnesota 20, Johnson hit Dilger again at the Minnesota 3. Tepper later admitted that if the play hadn’t worked, he would have kicked a game-tying field goal. Shocking!

After a 1-yard gain, Illinois stood at the Minnesota 2 with 1:10 left. Douthard carried, and the football came loose. The outcome of the play remains controversial. Depending on whom you ask, Douthard fumbled either before or after crossing the goal line. The officials stood around until the backside official signaled a touchdown. Douthard warmly hugged the official!

“He told me to put him down,” said Douthard.

“They didn’t deserve a touchdown,” said Minnesota cornerback Juan Hunter, who caused the fumble. “He knew he had fumbled—he was even looking at the referee.”

“It was a call that could have gone either way,” said Douthard, who maintained that he was sure he had crossed the goal line with the football before a defender knocked it away.

“He knew he was in, I knew he was in, and the guy said he was in,” said Johnson.

Now Illinois was poised to sneak out with a win. I listened to the radio broadcast in my miserable apartment in Chicago, avoiding studying torts on a Saturday night. “Rishon Early takes the kickoff 5 yards deep, he’s gonna run it out…at the 20…[long pause]…he’s got one man to beat…Antwoine Patton tackles him at the Illinois 25.” I raced to the refrigerator for some Gordon’s vodka. “I didn’t think Antwoine had the speed to catch him,” said Tepper. Way to support your players, Lou!

Minnesota had second down at the Illinois 10 with 28 seconds remaining. Tim Schade threw a pass to Chris Darkins at the Illinois 4. Darkins turned and got smacked by linebacker Kevin Hardy. Fellow linebacker Dana Howard recovered the fumble, and Illinois left Minneapolis with a hard-fought win.

Naturally, postgame discussion centered on the fumble that wasn’t (or was, if you’re from Minnesota). “The kid obviously wasn’t in the end zone,” yelled Minnesota head coach Jim Wacker. “We’ll review the films and possibly appeal it, but all they will do is offer a public apology. A lot of good that does now.” Perhaps Illinois fans should be thankful that instant replay review did not exist in 1994. Lou Tepper summarized it best: “Now you know why I hate this place.” Up next was #2 Penn State in Champaign…Detlef’s anger level rising…

Sources: “Disputed TD lets Illinois calm down ‘horrified’ coach” by Robert Markus. Chicago Tribune: November 6, 1994. Credit to Detlef’s parents for the research and Jackie for editing.