I'm never sure about posting a new thread, but here we go: Kent Brown's new book includes many, many crucial pieces of information looking back at Illini special sports moments. One of them is Al Brosky's (1950-52) record of 16 pass interceptions in consecutive games. Brown calls it a record that will probably never be broken. For you youngsters (under age 65) Brosky was a tough as nails safety and military vet from Chicago's south side. Brown's book would make a terrific gift for any Illini sports fan.
Al Brosky
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username tremendously checks out. thanks for posting this!
That's a feat that will never be forgotten! (Never heard of him)
Al Brosky (2023) - Hall of Fame - University of Illinois Athletics
Al Brosky, Class: Induction: 2023 Sport(s): Football - Football • 1950-52 Al Brosky was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in 1951 and 1952, and still holds the
fightingillini.com
Averaged more than one interception per game.
Keep in mind that freshmen didn't play in those years so Brosky's career record is based on three years and that they only played 9 games per year.
Illinois Interceptions
Game: 4, Mike Gow at Stanford, 9/21/74Season: 11, Al Brosky, 1950 & 1951
Career: 30, Al Brosky,* 1950-52
* NCAA record of 29 (does not count bowl game)
Consecutive Games with at Least One Pass Interception:
16, Al Brosky,* 1950-51, began 11/11/50 (at Iowa), ended 10/18/52 (at Minnesota)
*NCAA did not include bowl game statistics in its records. Brosky had one interception in the 1952 Rose Bowl.
Interception Return Yardage
Game: 152, Ron Bess vs. Notre Dame, 10/21/67Season: 198, Ron Bess, 1967
Career: 370, Al Brosky, 1950-52
NCAA Most interceptions, career
[edit]FBS: 29 – Al Brosky, Illinois, 1950–52[109]FCS: 31 – Rashean Mathis, Bethune–Cookman, 1999–2003[88]Div II: 37 – Tom Collins, Indianapolis, 1982–85[91]Div III: 32 – Zach Autenrieb, Thomas More (KY) 2009–12[100]
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I also assume they threw a lot less back then too, making it even more impressive.
You're absolutely right about playing just 27 games, plus the '52 Rose Bowl, when we clobbered Stanford 40-7. In addition, teams threw far fewer passes than they do today. Brosky never missed a game due to injury. He was too busy putting opponents on the injured list. He didn't just tackle people, he labeled them. It was my special fortune to meet him at a community banquet when I was a young boy in Monticello, the town where I grew up. He served a couple years in the army before he enrolled at Illinois; I don't know if he served in Korea or not. Just one fantastic football player.
I was just about to say I’m 75 and was 2 years old when he played. Sorry, I don’t recall him. I do recall Dick Butkus and CVS playing my cousin’s Austin High School football team in the city Public League Championship about 1958, in which Butkus literally ran over people, even though it is my memory Austin won. Not the same, but another memory of an Illini who was “tough as nails.”
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
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