2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football
2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Record	5–7 (3–5 Big Ten)
Head coach	Ron Zook (4th season);
Offensive coordinator	Mike Locksley (4th season)
Offensive scheme	Spread option
Co-defensive coordinator	Dan Disch (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Curt Mallory (2nd season)
Captains	Arrelious Benn ; David Lindquist; Brit Miller ; Juice Williams ;
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium ; (Capacity: 62,870)
	Seasons ← 2007 2009 →

Last updated December 04, 2024

2008 Big Ten Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 8 Penn State $+	7	–	1	11	–	2
No. 9 Ohio State %+	7	–	1	10	–	3
No. 24 Michigan State	6	–	2	9	–	4
Northwestern	5	–	3	9	–	4
No. 20 Iowa	5	–	3	9	–	4
Wisconsin	3	–	5	7	–	6
Minnesota	3	–	5	7	–	6
Illinois	3	–	5	5	–	7
Purdue	2	–	6	4	–	8
Michigan	2	–	6	3	–	9
Indiana	1	–	7	3	–	9

$ – BCS representative as conference champion % – BCS at-large representative + – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

The 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Ron Zook. The Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. This was Zook's fourth season as the Illini head coach.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
August 30	7:30 p.m.^[1]	vs. No. 6 Missouri *	No. 20	Edward Jones Dome St. Louis, MO (rivalry)	ESPN ^[1]	L 42–52	66,441
September 6	11:00 a.m.^[2]	No. 19 (FCS) Eastern Illinois *	No. 24	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	BTN ^[2]	W 47–21	60,131	^[3]
September 13	11:00 a.m.^[2]	Louisiana–Lafayette *	No. 24	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	BTN^[2]	W 20–17	58,632
September 27	7:00 p.m.^[4]	at No. 12 Penn State	No. 22	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ABC ^[4]	L 24–38	109,626
October 4	2:30 p.m.^[5]	at Michigan		Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)	ABC/ESPN2 ^[5]	W 45–20	109,750
October 11	11:00 a.m.^[6]	Minnesota		Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	ESPN^[6]	L 20–27	62,870
October 18	7:00 p.m.^[7]	Indiana		Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL (rivalry)	BTN^[7]	W 55–13	62,870
October 25	11:00 a.m.^[8]	at Wisconsin		Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI	ESPN2^[8]	L 17–27	81,241
November 1	2:30 p.m.	Iowa		Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	ABC/ESPN	W 27–24	62,870
November 8	11:00 a.m.^[9]	vs. Western Michigan *		Ford Field Detroit, MI	ESPN+	L 17–23	12,865
November 15	12:00 p.m.	No. 10 Ohio State		Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL (Illibuck Trophy)	ESPN	L 20–30	62,870
November 22	2:30 p.m.	at Northwestern		Ryan Field Evanston, IL (rivalry)	BTN	L 10–27	32,166
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Game summaries

Missouri

	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Illini	6	7	15	14	42
Tigers	7	24	14	7	52

Eastern Illinois

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	0	0	14	21
Fighting Illini	7	19	14	7	47

Louisiana-Lafayette

	1	2	3	4	Total
Ragin' Cajuns	3	0	0	14	17
Fighting Illini	10	7	0	3	20

In the first quarter, Matt Eller kicked a 51-yard field goal. Brit Miller recovered Michael Desormeaux's fumble for a 27-yard touchdown. Drew Edmiston kicked a 24-yard field goal for Louisiana-Lafayette. Juice Williams passed to Daniel Dufrene for a 10-yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter.

In the second half, Desormeaux rushed for a 34-yard touchdown and passed to Erick Jones for an 11-yard touchdown. Matt Eller kicked a 27-yard field goal for the Fighting Illini.

Penn State

The Illini lost on the road to the Nittany Lions 38–24 in a nationally televised, prime time, "White Out" game at Beaver Stadium. Illinois jumped out to a 14–7 lead, becoming the first team to take a lead on the Nittany Lions and the first to score points against them in the first quarter this season. However, the Nittany Lions responded with two touchdowns en route to a 21–14 halftime lead. The Illini wouldn't score again until kicking a field goal on the final play of the third quarter after recovering a Stephfon Green fumble, but Derrick Williams returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

The loss was head coach Ron Zook’s first as a head coach against a ranked opponent. The Illini's 24 points were the most allowed by Penn State this season as were their 189 total rushing yards.^[10]

Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams became the first player under PSU head coach Joe Paterno to score a rushing, a receiving, and a kick return touchdown in the same game.^[10]^[11] Williams was selected the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.^[12]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Illini	14	0	3	7	24
Nittany Lions	14	7	3	14	38

Michigan

	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Illini	3	14	7	21	45
Wolverines	14	0	0	6	20

Minnesota

	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Gophers	7	0	7	13	27
Fighting Illini	0	3	3	14	20

Indiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Hoosiers	7	0	3	3	13
Fighting Illini	14	14	13	14	55

Wisconsin

	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Illini	0	10	7	0	17
Badgers	3	7	7	10	27

The Fighting Illini fell to the Badgers 27–17 for Wisconsin's first Big Ten win of the year. The Badgers outscored Illinois 17–7 in the second half.

Iowa

	1	2	3	4	Total
Hawkeyes	0	6	3	15	24
Fighting Illini	7	3	7	10	27

Western Michigan

	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Illini	7	0	3	7	17
Broncos	3	17	0	3	23

Ohio State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buckeyes	9	14	0	7	30
Fighting Illini	7	6	0	7	20

Northwestern

	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Illini	0	0	7	3	10
Wildcats	6	7	3	11	27

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:**██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP	20	24	24	22	22	RV	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Coaches	19	25	RV	23	21	RV	RV	—	RV	—	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—
Harris	Not released						RV	RV	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released
BCS	Not released								—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Zook</span> American football player and coach (born 1954)

Ronald Andrew Zook is an American football coach who is a special teams quality control coach at the University of Maryland. He was the head football coach at the University of Florida from 2002 to 2004 and the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 2005 to 2011.

Derrick Williams is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 18th pick of the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL draft. He was a wide receiver and 2008 team captain for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The 2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juice Williams</span> American football player (born 1987)

Isiah John "Juice" Williams is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Illinois. After his senior year of high school in 2005, Williams was considered a top recruit for the quarterback position.

The 2007 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

The 2005 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

The 2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

The 2007 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by head coach Bret Bielema, the Badgers completed the season with a 9–4 record, including a 5–3 mark in Big Ten Conference play. The season ended with a loss in the Outback Bowl to Tennessee, 21–17.

The 2007 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Ron Zook. The Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois entered the season in search of improvement upon a 2–10 record in 2006, and secured bowl-eligibility the first time since 2001 with a homecoming win over Ball State. From weeks 2–6, the Illini won five straight games, their longest win streak since 2001. On November 10, the Fighting Illini upset the then #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

The 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented Ohio State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. They finished with a record of 10–3 and were Big Ten Conference co-champions.

The 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head football coach was Rich Rodriguez. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The 2008 season marked Rodriguez's first season as Michigan head coach, having replaced longtime head coach Lloyd Carr following Carr's retirement at the end of the 2007 season. Rodriguez installed a spread option offense, a marked departure from Michigan's prior offensive approaches.

The 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

The 1993 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented Ohio State University in the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buckeyes compiled a 10–1–1 record and were co-champions of the Big Ten Conference along with the Wisconsin Badgers including the 1993 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, where they won 28–21 against the Brigham Young Cougars.

The 2009 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2009 college football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State had the highest graduation rate among all of the teams on the Associated Press Top 25 poll with 89% of its 2002 enrollees graduating. Miami and Alabama tied for second place with a graduation rate of 75%. The Nittany Lions finished the season with an 11–2 record and won the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy award to the best team in the ECAC for the 28th time and the second consecutive year.

The 2010 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Big Ten Conference. Team captains for the season were wide receiver Brett Brackett and defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu.

The 2011 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Fighting Illini, who were led during the regular season by seventh-year head coach Ron Zook, are members of the Big Ten Conference in the Legends Division and played their home games at Memorial Stadium. Zook was fired after the team lost the final six games of its regular season. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning was appointed as interim head coach led the team in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. On December 9, Illinois hired Tim Beckman as their new permanent head coach.

The 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by sixth-year head coach Bret Bielema, are members of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. They finished the season 11–3, 7–2 in Big Ten play to be Leaders Division co–champions with Penn State. Due to their head-to-head win over Penn State, the Badgers represented the division in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game where they defeated Legends Division champion Michigan State 42–39 to become Big Ten Champions. They were invited to the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year where they were defeated by Oregon 38–45.

The 2013 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by first year head coach Gary Andersen, were members of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium.

The 2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Fighting Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by fourth-year head coach Lovie Smith.

The 2021 Illinois vs. Penn State football game was a regular-season college football game played on October 23, 2021, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The Big Ten Conference matchup featured the Illinois Fighting Illini and the seventh-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, and took place during week eight of the 2021 FBS football season. The game was scheduled as a 12:00 p.m. EDT kickoff, and broadcast by ABC. Illinois defeated Penn State, 20–18, to win the contest after a record nine overtimes.

References

1 2 "Kick Time Changed For 2008 Opener". University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Department of Athletics. May 22, 2008. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
1 2 3 4 "Game Times And Future Schedules Set For Illinois Football". University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Department of Athletics. July 2, 2008. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
↑ Durando, Stu (September 7, 2008). "Illini let Juice run loose". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. D5. Retrieved December 4, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
1 2 "Big Ten Announces Five Prime-Time Football Games to Appear on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 During 2008 Season". Big Ten Conference. April 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
1 2 "Time, Television Set for U-M Homecoming Tilt vs. Illinois". Michigan Sports Information. May 12, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
1 2 "Illinois Homecoming Game Time Set". University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Department of Athletics. May 12, 2008. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
1 2 "Illinois-Indiana Game Set For Prime Time". Illinois Athletics. May 21, 2008. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
1 2 "Welcome home:Badgers, Illini kickoff set". Wisconsin Badgers Sports Report. May 10, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2008.^{[ dead link ‍]}
↑ "Illinois-WMU game time set". Illinois Athletics. June 13, 2008. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
1 2 Thomas, Eric (September 29, 2008). "Not Just Getting by Anymore". The Sentinel . Carlisle. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
↑ "Penn State Remains Unbeaten, Tops Illinois, 38–24". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . September 27, 2008. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
↑ "Michigan, Northwestern and Penn State Football Players Honored After Big Wins". Big Ten Conference. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.

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[arch_rivalry-1] 1 2 "Kick Time Changed For 2008 Opener". University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Department of Athletics. May 22, 2008. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2008.

[eiu/ull-2] 1 2 3 4 "Game Times And Future Schedules Set For Illinois Football". University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Department of Athletics. July 2, 2008. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2008.

[3] Durando, Stu (September 7, 2008). "Illini let Juice run loose". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. D5. Retrieved December 4, 2021– via Newspapers.com.

[primetime-4] 1 2 "Big Ten Announces Five Prime-Time Football Games to Appear on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 During 2008 Season". Big Ten Conference. April 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2008.

[michigan-5] 1 2 "Time, Television Set for U-M Homecoming Tilt vs. Illinois". Michigan Sports Information. May 12, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.

[homecoming-6] 1 2 "Illinois Homecoming Game Time Set". University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Department of Athletics. May 12, 2008. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.

[indiana-7] 1 2 "Illinois-Indiana Game Set For Prime Time". Illinois Athletics. May 21, 2008. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2008.

[wisconsin-8] 1 2 "Welcome home:Badgers, Illini kickoff set". Wisconsin Badgers Sports Report. May 10, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2008.^{[ dead link ‍]}

[wmu-9] "Illinois-WMU game time set". Illinois Athletics. June 13, 2008. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2008.

[illininotes-10] 1 2 Thomas, Eric (September 29, 2008). "Not Just Getting by Anymore". The Sentinel . Carlisle. Retrieved September 29, 2008.

[11] "Penn State Remains Unbeaten, Tops Illinois, 38–24". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . September 27, 2008. Retrieved September 28, 2008.

[illinoispow-12] "Michigan, Northwestern and Penn State Football Players Honored After Big Wins". Big Ten Conference. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.

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v t e Illinois Fighting Illini football
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