1988 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1988 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 6–5–1 5–2–1 John Mackovic 1st Gene Dahlquist 1st Lou Tepper 1st Keith Jones Glenn Cobb Mark McGowan Memorial Stadium All-American Bowl L 10–14 vs. Florida The 1988 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first year under head coach John Mackovic, the Fighting Illini compiled a 6–5–1 record (5–2–1 in conference games), tied for third place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 235 to 229. They concluded the season with a loss to Florida in the 1988 All-American Bowl.1988 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football December 16, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1988-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jeff George (2,257 passing yards, 57.9% completion percentage), running back Keith Jones (1,108 rushing yards, 60 points scored), and Steve Williams (38 receptions for 523 receiving yards).1988 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football December 16, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1988.html Three Illinois players won first-team honors on the 1988 All-Big Ten Conference football team: defensive lineman Moe Gardner (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive back Glenn Cobb (AP-1, UPI-1); and linebacker Darrick Brownlow (AP-1).AP All-Big Ten Detroit Free Press November 30, 1988 5D https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3745908/ap_all_big_ten/Michigan puts seven on all-Big Ten The Bryan Times November 23, 1988 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19881123&id=vHlPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jlEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6388,5089044 The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1988 AP September 3 l y Washington State Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 7–44 54,458 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-now-illini-know-score/173534728/ Quad-City Times Now Illini know score September 4, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com September 10 l y y Arizona State Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 16–21 70,091 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-sun-devils-hold-off/173564609/ Southern Illinoisan Sun Devils hold off Illini, 21–16 September 11, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com September 17 w y Utah Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 35–24 54,002 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-delayed-win-tastes-sweet/173501658/ Quad-City Times Delayed win tastes sweet September 18, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 w y Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry 31–12 90,274 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate-erratic-buckeyes-loo/173713163/ The Newark Advocate Erratic Buckeyes looked 'pathetic' in loss to Illinois October 2, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 w Purdue Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 20–0 63,743 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press-purdue-shut-down-shut-ou/173714075/ The Muncie Star Purdue shut down, shut out by Illinois October 9, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 w y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 34–6 57,886 https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram-six-means-defest-for-06/173711546/ Leader-Telegram Six means defest for 0–6 Wisconsin October 16, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com October 22 l Michigan State Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 21–28 65,771 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-loss-brings-illini-bac/173716255/ Herald and Review Loss brings Illini back to earth October 23, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 t y Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN 27–27 40,554 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-late-fg-lets-illin/173650558/ The Rock Island Argus Late FG lets Illini tie Gophers October 30, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 w Indiana 20 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 21–20 66,201 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ann-arbor-news-by-george-illini-ral/173715078/ The Ann Arbor News By George, Illini rally past Indiana November 6, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com November 12 l y Michigan 13 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 9–38 105,714 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-michigan-trample/173716402/ The Des Moines Register Michigan tramples Illinois to clinch spot in Rose Bowl November 13, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 w Northwestern Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 14–9 42,329 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-illini-primous-makes-all/173712883/ The Pantagraph Illini Primous makes 'All-American' plays November 20, 1988 June 2, 2025 Newspapers.com December 29 Thursday l y y Florida Legion Field Birmingham, AL All-American Bowl ESPN 10–14 48,218 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-smiths-tds-lift/135025298/ Birmingham Post-Herald Smith's TDs lift Gators December 30, 1988 November 11, 2023 Newspapers.com Roster 1988 Illinois Fighting Illini f 2 Jr Mike Bellamy WR y 11 So Jeff George QB y 29 So Howard Griffith RB y 82 So Frank Hartley Frank Hartley (American football) TE y 36 Sr Keith Jones Keith Jones (Atlanta Falcons) RB y 53 So Tim Scully C 96 So Mel Agee DT y 48 So Darrick Brownlow LB y 95 So Moe Gardner DT y https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1975_1999.aspx?#1988 *John Mackovic References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football