Chambana Sun

The period spanning the 1990s and 2000s was a significant era for the University of Illinois football team at Memorial Stadium. During these two decades, four coaches—John Mackovic, Lou Tepper, Ron Turner, and Ron Zook—led the team through various achievements and challenges.

The team secured Big Ten championships in 1990 and 2001 and made an appearance at the Rose Bowl in 2008. The decade began with a celebration of Illinois football's centennial in 1990, which included historical publications, streetlight banners featuring each of the 100 teams, and the selection of a 25-man All-Century Team with notable players like Red Grange and Dick Butkus.

In that same year, John Mackovic's squad shared a four-way Big Ten championship title. Two home games stood out: a narrow victory over eventual national champion Colorado and a record-setting performance by Howard Griffith against Southern Illinois. Griffith set an NCAA record with eight touchdowns in that game.

Mackovic left after the 1991 season with a conference record of 22-10-1. Lou Tepper succeeded him and led Illinois to bowl games in two out of his first three seasons. The Illini defeated Ohio State five consecutive times from 1988 to 1992.

Under Ron Turner, who took over in 1997, the Illini improved from a winless season to an impressive run that culminated in an outright Big Ten title in 2001. That year ended with disappointment at the Sugar Bowl but was highlighted by quarterback Kurt Kittner's leadership.

Ron Zook took charge in 2005, leading Illinois to its peak during his tenure when they upset top-ranked Ohio State in Columbus on November 10, 2007. This victory helped secure their place at the Rose Bowl.

Reflecting on these years at Memorial Stadium reveals both memorable victories and challenging losses as part of Illinois football history.