1979 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1979 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 2–8–1 1–6–1 Gary Moeller 3rd Lawrence McCullough Lawrence McCullough Stanley Ralph Memorial Stadium The 1979 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 1979 Big Ten season. In their third year under head coach Gary Moeller, the Illini compiled a 2–8–1 record (1–6–1), finished in ninth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 266 to 156.1979 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 25, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1979-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Lawrence McCullough (1,254 passing yards, 57.0% completion percentage), running back Mike Holmes (792 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 36 points scored), and wide receiver John Lopez (296 receiving yards).1979 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 25, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1979.html McCullough was selected as the team's most valuable player.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 The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1979 AP September 8 l y Michigan State 10 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 16–33 71,125 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lima-news-msu-rolls-over-illini-331/157927193/ The Lima News MSU rolls over Illini 33–16 as Andersen, Vaughn star September 9, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 15 l y Missouri 11 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 6–14 49,049 Richardson Steve MU Defense Saves Day At Goal Line https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120159017/the-kansas-city-star/ The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri September 16, 1979 1S March 4, 2023 Newspapers.com Richardson Steve Running of Ellis Puts Tigers in Gear (continued) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120158963/the-kansas-city-star/ The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri September 16, 1979 9S March 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 22 w y y Air Force Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO 27–19 18,178 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-holmes-leads-illinois-by/157839292/ The Pantagraph Holmes leads Illinois by Air Force, 27–19 September 23, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 29 l y Navy Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 12–13 53,825 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-landlubber-middi/157858109/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Landlubber Middies top Illini September 30, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 l Iowa Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 7–13 51,044 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-hawkeyes-halt-illini/157927285/ Journal and Courier Hawkeyes halt Illini October 7, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 l y Purdue 20 Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry 14–28 69,413 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-hermann-lifts-purdue/157927373/ Tulsa World Hermann lifts Purdue October 14, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 l Michigan 11 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 7–27 43,370 'Winded' U-M offense awakens in 2d half against Illinois, 27-7 Detroit Free Press Mick McCabe October 21, 1979 1F, 16F https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43116948/winded_um_offense_awakens_in_2d_half/ Newspapers.comBlue blows past game Illinois, 27-7 The Michigan Daily Billy Neff October 21, 1979 1, 12 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754373/549 October 27 t y Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 17–17 47,406 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-illini-fight-gophers-to/157927552/ Quad-City Times Illini fight Gophers to tie October 28, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 3 l Ohio State 5 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 7–44 41,870 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-buckeyes-storm-past-i/157927651/ Detroit Free Press Buckeyes storm past Illini, 44–7 November 4, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 l Indiana Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 14–45 30,874 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1979-11-10-illinoi/155669508/ The Indianapolis Star Hoosier steamroller flattens Illini, 45–14 November 11, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 w y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL rivalry 29–13 19,217 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-sub-leads-illini/157927007/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Sub leads Illini to 29–13 victory November 18, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com Roster 1979 Illinois Fighting Illini f 71 So Lou Belmont T 63 Jr Greg Boeke C 80 Jr Lee Boeke TE 9 Jr Tim McAvoy QB 53 Sr Mike McBeth C 76 Sr Bob McClure G 11 Sr Lawrence McCullough QB 62 Jr Troy McMillin G 78 Sr Ray Pavesic G 51 Jr John Scott C 12 So Kenny Shaw WR 81 Sr Mike Sherrod TE 10 Sr Nick Sowa QB 42 So Calvin Thomas Calvin Thomas (American football) FB y 14 Jr Rich Weiss QB 15 So Bonji Bonner DB 73 Jr Reggie Brown DT 31 So Pete Burgard OLB 58 Jr Tab Carmien OLB 90 Sr Chris Carr LB 35 So Bill Forrester DB 6 So Rick George DB 38 Jr John Gillen LB 45 Sr Bob Hauser LB 48 Sr Tim Holm DB 89 Sr Dan MacLean LB 86 Sr Stanley Ralph DT 85 Sr Jerry Ramshaw LB 34 So Jack Squirek LB y 16 So Tyron Worthy CB 39 So Mark Zimmer DB 3 Jr Cliff Jones K https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1975_1999.aspx?#1979 *Gary Moeller Brad Childress (Running backs) References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football Category:Long stubs with short prose