Illini Legends, Lists & Lore

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Eighty-five years ago Sunday marked perhaps the most memorable single day in Illinois athletics history. Not only was it the afternoon the university's imposing Memorial Stadium was officially dedicated but it also was the day when one of America's greatest football legends – Red Grange – was christened. During the first 12 minutes of the game, the Wheaton Iceman scored touchdowns the first four times he touched the ball, on runs of 95, 67, 56 and 44 yards. Grange later returned to score a fifth TD on an 11-yard run and also threw for a sixth Illini score. Other memorable moments in Illinois history on this date:

YEAR SIGNIFICANCE

1902 Illinois won its third consecutive game in the series against Purdue, a 29-5 victory at Champaign.

1913 In the first Big Ten game coached by Bob Zuppke, Illinois shut out Northwestern 37-0.

1941 The Illini won their final game under coach Bob Zuppke, 40-0 against Drake.

1947 Ruck Steger ran for 103 yards and Dike Eddleman returned a punt 89 yards in Illinois' 40-13 home victory against Minnesota.

1958 Rich Kreitling had 166 receiving yards on four catches, including touchdowns of 83 and 66 yards, leading Illinois past Minnesota 20-8.

1975 Illinois' Dan Beaver kicked a Big Ten- record 57-yard field goal, but Purdue prevailed 26-24.

1979 Former basketball star and longtime team physician Leland "Slim" Stilwell died at age 77.

1980 Quarterback Dave Wilson completed 35 of 58 passes – both Big Ten records – for 425 yards, but it's not enough as Illinois lost to Purdue.

Illini birthdays this week

Sunday: Dick Foley, basketball (84)

Monday: Bruce Weber, basketball coach (53)

Tuesday: Jim Rucks, football/basketball/baseball (58)

Wednesday: Mike Davis, basketball (21)

Thursday: Lauren Newcomb, gymnastics (27)

Friday: Donnie Thompson, football coach (56)

Saturday: Dean March, football (57)

Next Sunday: UI football heroes vs. Michigan

By Mike Pearson, author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore and assistant athletic director at Miami (Ohio)

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