RIP Moe. There was a lot of excitement when he came in and he inherited a pretty talented roster - definitely upper half of the Big 10. Unfortunately he wasn't ready to be a HC at that time and was quite honestly a disaster here. Did a much better job at UM when he took over for Bo.
What a home schedule that year to fill seats. Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, and Mizzou. Navy would probably draw some too.
I think we averaged around 35k fans that yearWhat a home schedule that year to fill seats. Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, and Mizzou. Navy would probably draw some too.
NoMoMoe
My senior year. Went to that Dad's Day game. As I recall, Illini scored at the end of the fourth quarter to make the score 12-13. Moeller couldn't get a play in time to go for the 2 point conversion (or even for a PAT) and we lost without ever getting a final chance.was my freshmen year
they stunk
went to the Navy game on Dads Day with my folks - 99% sure we lost
https://fightingillini.com/sports/football/schedule/1979 We lost 13-12.was my freshmen year
they stunk
went to the Navy game on Dads Day with my folks - 99% sure we lost
wasnt Rich Weiss, probably the last player from New Trier to get a schollie from us, our starting QB that year ?
it was an annual thing put on by the state pork farmers co-op for yearsI'm intrigued by Pork Day.
Lawrence McCulloughwasnt Rich Weiss, probably the last player from New Trier to get a schollie from us, our starting QB that year ?
I didn't realize we no longer had pork day - it was always in November. I remember watching a game back in the 90's Keith Jackson was doing in which he said he was going to be in Champaign the following week - it might have been for the '94 Penn St game - and Keith said something to the effect of "it's going to be cold, it's going to be windy, and it's probably going to be Pork Day."I'm intrigued by Pork Day.
I was at that Navy game. I recall a Navy punt returner was camped under a punt and it bounced off the top of his helmet. I remember seeing a Moeller-coached Illini team lose at least one close game as the clock ran down to 0:00 while the red-zone offense waited for a play-call.My senior year. Went to that Dad's Day game. As I recall, Illini scored at the end of the fourth quarter to make the score 12-13. Moeller couldn't get a play in time to go for the 2 point conversion (or even for a PAT) and we lost without ever getting a final chance.
BTW, I have all of the football posters (1976, 77, 78 and 79). They ARE awesome.
My brother attended Edison at the same time as Moeller’s kid Andy did. Said Andy got mocked a lot over how bad his father’s coaching was. Then when Bo Schembechler hired Gary and eventually recruited Andy it all helped to cement the permanent chip on Michigan’s shoulders towards Illinois.
Including the uniforms......O-B-W. I know this is not the "Uniform" thread but had to say it. And I know a lot of folks don't like the white pants but I've always thought Auburn's uniforms are the best in college football, and the difference of an orange helmet is enough for me.I love everything about that 1979 football poster- my god.
I was there for every one of his games. It was a dark time. I forget the exact details, but Northwestern at the time was ranked something like the worst D1 team in the nation just prior to that game.did you get to see his 0-0 tie against NW in 1978?
I made a brief appearance but spent most of the game at a tailgate just outside the stadium, and could hear the groans from the crowd. I was 14, visiting my brother for the weekend, so wasn't a fan yet.did you get to see his 0-0 tie against NW in 1978?
In the late '80s/early '90s, there was some attraction basically for each home game. Dad's Day and Homecoming were the biggest, so they'd be against the worst teams. Band day would bring in a lot of high schoolers. Pork Day didn't sell any tickets beyond a few members of the Illinois Pork Producers Association or whatever, and perhaps a few lobbyists. So Pork Day would usually be the game against the best opponent, which often meant a national Keith Jackson ABC broadcast.I didn't realize we no longer had pork day - it was always in November. I remember watching a game back in the 90's Keith Jackson was doing in which he said he was going to be in Champaign the following week - it might have been for the '94 Penn St game - and Keith said something to the effect of "it's going to be cold, it's going to be windy, and it's probably going to be Pork Day."
My first college game as a freshman. My roommate and I looked at each other and said "my God, we bought season tickets". In West Block I, by the way.did you get to see his 0-0 tie against NW in 1978?