1940 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1940 Illinois Fighting Illini football 1940 Illinois Fighting Illini football team.jpg 285 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 1–7 0–5 Robert Zuppke 28th George Bernhardt Thomas J. Riggs Memorial Stadium The 1940 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois during the 1940 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 28th season under head coach Robert Zuppke, the Illini compiled a 1–7 record (0–5 against conference opponents), finished in last place in the Big Ten Conference, and were outscored by a total of 144 to 71.1940 Illinois Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football December 16, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1940-schedule.html Fullback George Bernhardt was selected as the team's most valuable player.Fighting Illini Football Record Book University of Illinois 2015 December 28, 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 Illinois was ranked at No. 62 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.Final 1940 Litkenhous Ratings The Boston Globe Dr. E. E. Litkenhous December 19, 1940 22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123126338/final-1940-litkenhous-ratings/ Newspapers.com The team played home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1940 AP October 5 w y 1940 Bradley Braves Bradley Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 31–0 31,000 Illinois Whips Bradley, 31-0, in Last Half: Late but Potent Chicago Tribune October 6, 1940 II-5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120464112/illinois-whips-bradley-31-0-in-last/ Newspapers.com October 12 l y USC Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 7–13 30,125 Five Yard Punt Sets Up U.S.C. Touchdown, Beats Illini, 13-7 Chicago Tribune Arch Ward October 13, 1940 II-1, II-4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120464349/five-yard-punt-sets-up-usc/ Newspapers.com October 19 l y Michigan 3 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 0–28 39,114 Michigan Pounds Illinois Line to Pieces for 28-0 Triumph: Westfall Gains 160 Yards to Spark Attack The Detroit Free Press John N. Sabo October 20, 1940 21 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120469471/michigan-pounds-illinois-line-to-pieces/ Newspapers.com October 26 l y Notre Dame<hc> 2 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 0–26 63,186 Notre Dame Routs Illini: Irish Running, Passing Roll Up 26-0 Score Chicago Tribune Howard Barry October 27, 1940 II-1, II-4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120469175/notre-dame-routs-illini-irish-running/ Newspapers.com November 2 l y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 6–13 28,000 Badgers Nip Illini 13-6, Take Fourth in Big 10: Tennant's 62 Yard Spring Provides Win The Capital Times November 3, 1940 25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120471324/badgers-nip-illini-13-6-take-fourth-in/ Newspapers.com November 9 l y Northwestern 10 Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL rivalry 14–32 35,000 N.U. Wins: Wildcats Subdue Illini, 32-14; Score 3 Times in Last Quarter Chicago Tribune Irving Vaughan November 10, 1940 II-1, II-6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120462704/nu-wins-wildcats-subdue-illini/ Newspapers.com November 16 l Ohio State Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 6–14 15,571 Dunkley Charles Scott Sparks Scarlet To 14-6 Win Over Illini https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111701073/the-south-bend-tribune/ October 20, 2022 The South Bend Tribune Associated Press November 17, 1940 2:1 Newspapers.com November 23 l y Iowa Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 7–18 19,759 Iowa Whips Illinois, 18-7 The Des Moines Register Bert McGrane November 24, 1940 Sports 1, 6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120471697/iowa-whips-illinois-18-7/ Newspapers.com References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football