1973 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1973 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 5–6 4–4 Bob Blackman 3rd Eddie Jenkins Octavus Morgan John Gann Ken Braid Memorial Stadium The 1973 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1973 Big Ten season. In their third year under head coach Bob Blackman, the Fighting Illini compiled a 5–6 record (4–4 in conference games), finished in a four-way tie for fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 164 to 157.1973 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1973-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jeff Hollenbach (916 passing yards, 43.8% completion percentage), running back George Uremovich (519 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry), and split end Garvin Roberson (25 receptions for 416 yards, 16.6 yards per reception).1973 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1973.html Halfback Eddie Jenkins and defensive end Octavus Morgan were selected as the team's most valuable players.Fighting Illini Football Record Book University of Illinois 2015 December 29, 2016 155 http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf November 29, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201129040612/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf dead Roberson, defensive lineman Octavus Morgan, and defensive back Mike Gow received first-team honors on the 1973 All-Big Ten Conference football team.1973 AP All Big Ten Football Team Piqua Daily Call November 27, 1973 11 https://www.newspapers.com/image/43056027/?terms=franklin%2Bgriffin%2BhobanBucks, Wolves Dominate: Buckeyes Place 10 On All-Big Ten Team The Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio) November 28, 1973 11B https://www.newspapers.com/image/78749989/?terms=franklin%2Bgriffin%2Bhoban%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1973 AP Central September 15 w y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN rivalry 28–14 51,433 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-illinois-turns-indian/181867062/ The Kokomo Tribune Illinois turns Indiana's Big 10 opener sour in 28–14 loss September 16, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 22 3:30 p.m. w y y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 27–7 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union-illinois-dumps-cal/181655492/ The Sacramento Union Illinois dumps Cal Bears, 27–7 September 23, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 29 l y West Virginia Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 10–17 48,107 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-west-virginia-deal/139556840/ Lansing State Journal West Virginia deals Illini first loss, 17–10 September 30, 1973 January 25, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 2:57 p.m. l y Stanford Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 0–24 45,383 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-cardinals-blank-illini/181654042/ Independent Press-Telegram Cardinals blank Illini October 7, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 13 w Purdue Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 15–13 54,252 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-field-goals-win-for/181867131/ Southern Illinoisan Field goals win for Illini October 14, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 20 w y Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 6–3 63,303 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-beavers-kic/181867171/ Evansville Courier & Press Beavers kicks by Spartans, 6–3 October 21, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 27 w Iowa Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 50–0 46,864 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-illini-50-iowa/181867298/ The Des Moines Register Illini 50, Iowa 0 – Ouch! 467 on ground October 28, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 l Ohio State 1 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 0–30 60,707 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-buckeyes-pin-illini/181866263/ Quad-City Times Buckeyes pin Illini November 4, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 10 l y Michigan 4 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 6–21 76,461 U-M Beats Illinois' 21–6: Overcomes 6 Fumbles Detroit Free Press Curt Sylvester November 11, 1973 1E, 5E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5647397/um_beats_illinois_216_overcomes_6/ Newspapers.com June 27, 2016 November 17 l Minnesota Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 16–19 34,438 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-steal-a-victory-cl/181866844/ Star Tribune Gophers steal a victory, clinch third November 18, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 24 l y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL rivalry 6–9 26,117 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-northwestern-downs/181867431/ The Indianapolis Star Northwestern downs Illinois November 25, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1973 Illinois) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/363821 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 27, 2025 Personnel 1973 Illinois Fighting Illini y 19 Jr Jeff Hollenbach QB 23 Sr Eddie Jenkins RB 11 Sr Tom McCartney QB 33 Jr Lonnie Perrin RB y Garvin Roberson WR George Uremovich RB 40 Sr Octavius Morgan DL Phil Vierneisel P https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1950_1974.aspx?#1973 Bob Blackman References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football