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The Illinois football team unveiled Friday a new, classic look for the 2018 football season.
The Fighting introduced three new jerseys (navy blue, orange and white), three pairs of pants (navy blue, orange and white) and one helmet (orange), in addition to an all new Gray Ghost uniform set on Friday morning.
The new uniforms were unveiled to the team at an early 7:30 a.m. meeting on Friday with current student-athletes Nick Allegretti, Mike Dudek, Dele Harding and Tymir Oliver donning the new Nike threads.
The uniforms are from the Nike Vapor Untouchable line, with stretch-woven material, a seamless front and shoulders and laser perforation fabric instead of mesh. The uniforms combine materials and science designed for speed and comfort for the players, based on four core principles - fit, durability, weight and core body temperature.
The jerseys are bold, yet traditional in design, inspired by the Dick Butkus era jerseys of the 1960s. Illinois' traditional block I logo remains prominent on the sides of the helmet and at the base of the collar. A unique two-column pattern is set in both the jerseys and the numbers as a nod to the historic columns at Memorial Stadium, which represent Illinois soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The updated orange helmet uses a shade that more accurately matches the orange in the uniforms and no longer has a metallic matte finish.
The Gray Ghost uniforms have been updated to the new uniform style. The Fighting Illini have worn the Gray Ghost uniform set each Homecoming game since 2014 as a nod to Illinois hall of famer Red Grange, better known as the "Galloping Ghost".
The program worked closely with Nike designers to create the new look. Illinois' previous uniform designs were worn for four seasons, from 2014-17. This marks the second set of football uniforms since Illinois Athletics' Nike rebrand in the spring of 2014.
The Fighting Illini will debut the new threads in game competition at the Sept. 1 season opener against Kent State at Memorial Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now starting as low as $99.
The new blue jerseys will be available for fans to purchase this fall.
