Covers from the 2004-05 run to the Final Four 

Once a month, we'll take a look back at memorable Illini moments through the covers of News-Gazette sports sections. Today: the Illini's surprising run to the 2008 Rose Bowl, highlighted by an upset of top-ranked Ohio State.

Here are the 13 postgame covers that tell the story:

Sept. 2 — Missouri 40, Illinois 34. Eddie McGee tried to rally the Illini in place of injured Juice Williams but the comeback ended on a goal line interception. "Close doesn't cut it," linebacker J Leman said. LInk

Sept. 9 — Illinois 21, Western Illinois 0. The renovated north end zone stands looked a lot better than the Illini, who did just enough to even their record. Link

Sept. 16 — Illinois 41, Syracuse 20. Juice Williams was flawless, completing 13 of 18 passes and running for 91 yards. "How about that, you doubters?" Ron Zook said. Link

Sept. 23 — Illinois 27, Indiana 14. The Illini ended a string of 13 consecutive losses in Big Ten openers by holding on in Bloomington. "There were times I felt like I was driving a truck," said Rashard Mendenhall, who rushed for 214 yards. Link

Sept. 30 — Illinois 27, Penn State 20. Arrelious Benn returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score as the Illini beat a Top 25 team at home for the first time since 1991. Link

Oct. 7 — Illinois 31, Wisconsin 26. The UI's first win against a Top 5 team in 18 years had C-U buzzing. "It's great to beat the No. 5 team," Juice Williams said. "This is a lot of fun." Link

Oct. 14 — Iowa 10, Illinois 6. Penalties and poor decisions ended the Illini's five-game win streak. "We have a lot of football to play," Ron Zook said. Link

Oct. 21 – Michigan 27, Illinois 17. The Illini's struggles against the Wolverines in Champaign — one win since 1957 — continued, as dropped punt helping Michigan rally. Link

Oct. 28 — Illinois 28, Ball State 17. Rashard Mendenhall's Big Ten MVP bid picked up steam with a 189-yard rushing effort. Afterward, he talked about leaving for the NFL early. "We'll weigh all the options when the time comes," he said. Link

Nov. 4 — Illinois 44, Minnesota 17. The Illini roughed up Tim Brewster's defense for 655 yards, the third-highest in school history, as Juice Williams had 207 yards passing and 133 rushing. Link

Nov. 11 — Illinois 28, Ohio State 21. Beating a No. 1 team for the first time since 1956, the Illini put themselves in position for a January bowl game. "We did it. WE did it. I think it was a huge team effort," J Leman said. Link

Nov. 18 — Illinois 41, Northwestern 22. The UI's 23 seniors celebrated their first win against the Wildcats as the Illini locked up second place in the Big Ten. Link

Jan. 2 — USC 49, Illinois 17. A storybook season ended with a thud as the powerful Trojans dominated from start to finish. "We have to use this as a learning experience," Ron Zook said. Link

Want to hang one of these covers in your Orange & Blue TV Room? Here's how