1978 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1978 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 1–8–2 0–6–2 Gary Moeller 2nd John Sullivan Randy Taylor John Sullivan Randy Taylor Memorial Stadium The 1978 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 1978 Big Ten season. In their second year under head coach Gary Moeller, the Illini compiled a 1–8–2 record (0–6–2 in conference games), finished in ninth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 317 to 103.1978 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1978-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Rich Weiss (665 passing yards, 53.2% completion percentage), running back Wayne Strader (389 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry), wide receiver Jeff Barnes (22 receptions for 270 yards, and kicker Dave Finzer (23 points scored, eight of nine extra points, five of eight field goals).1978 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1978.html Linebacker John Sullivan and center Randy Taylor 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 The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1978 AP September 9 t Northwestern Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 0–0 40,091 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review/24995837/ The Decatur Daily Review Illinois, Northwestern play to scoreless tie September 10, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com September 16 l y Michigan 4 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 0–31 104,102 Leach drives U-M past Illinois, 31-0 Detroit Free Press Tom Henderson September 17, 1978 1E, 8E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41842550/leach_drives_um_past_illinois_310/ Newspapers.comMichigan rolls past bumbling Illini, 31-0 The Michigan Daily Henry Engelhardt September 17, 1978 1, 12 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754365/213 Bentley Historical Library September 23 l y Stanford Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 10–35 43,143 https://www.newspapers.com/article/contra-costa-times-cardinals-followed-as/157575723/ Contra Costa Times Cardinals followed assignments as Dils threw, Nelson ran, team won September 24, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com September 30 w y y Syracuse Archbold Stadium Syracuse, NY 28–14 20,101 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-illinois-cops-firs/157575819/ The Rock Island Argus Illinois cops first win October 1, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com October 7 l y y Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry 3–45 62,062 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-missouri-humbles-illinoi/157524794/ Quad-City Times Missouri humbles Illinois October 8, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com October 14 t Wisconsin Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 20–20 51,160 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-illini-get-their/157575991/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Illini get their kicks in tie with Wisconsin October 15, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com October 21 l Purdue 19 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 0–13 50,918 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-purdues-macon-and-p/157576088/ The Courier-Journal Purdue's Macon and Pope run Illinois aground 13–0 October 22, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com October 28 l y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN rivalry 10–31 37,355 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-indiana-seniors-lead/157576294/ Journal and Courier Indiana seniors lead Hoosiers past Illini October 29, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 4 l Michigan State 18 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 19–59 48,077 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-michigan-state-ro/157576360/ The Muskegon Chronicle Michigan State romps past Illinois 59–19 November 5, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 11 l y Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck 7–45 87,719 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-belleville-news-democrat-frosh-tops/157576460/ The Belleville News-Democrat Frosh tops Illini November 12, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 18 l y Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 6–24 25,388 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-soph-barber-tops-1/157576635/ The Rock Island Argus Soph Barber tops 1,000 as Minnesota hammers Illinois November 19, 1978 October 21, 2024 Newspapers.com References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football