Sept. 11, 1999

? Recap
? Box Score
? Postgame Quotes

This is the first meeting for Illinois and San Diego State

Illinois is 2-0-1 all-time versus teams from the Mountain West Conference (1-0-1 vs. Air Force, 1-0 vs. Utah)

Illinois is 16-21 all-time versus California teams (all Pac 10 schools: California, Stanford, USC, and UCLA)

Illinois last hosted a California team in 1996 (USC-L 55-3).

Ron Turner served as quarterbacks coach in 1985 and offensive coordinator in 1986 at USC under now San Diego State head coach Ted Tollner. Their record over those two seasons was 13-10 with a Aloha Bowl appearance in 1985 and Citrus Bowl appearance in 1986.

During those two seasons, USC defeated Illinois in 1985 in Champaign 20-10, and also won in 1986 in Los Angeles 31-16.

Tollner's record against Illinois is 2-0 (at USC, 1985-86).

In addition to Ron Turner, Tollner's assistants at USC included Norv Turner (Washington Redskins Head Coach), Steve Mariucci (San Francisco 49ers Head Coach), and Dave Wannstedt (Miami Dolphins Assistant Coach).

This is the third straight season San Diego State has played a Big Ten team (1997-L @ Wisconsin 36-10, 1998-L Wisconsin 26-14, 1999 @ Illinois)

San Diego State is 2-5 all-time versus Big Ten teams.
1-3 vs. Wisconsin (1979-80, 97-98)
1-1 vs. Minnesota (1993-94)
0-1 vs. Iowa (1986 Holiday Bowl)

San Diego State defensive line coach Ken Delgado served as Ron Turner's defensive line coach in 1992 at San Jose State.

***Notes if we defeat Arkansas State
Illinois' last 2-0 start was 1992 (NIU 30-14, Missouri 24-14, final record was 6-5-1).
Last time Illinois had consecutive home victories was 1996 (Akron 38-7, Indiana 46-43)
Dating back to last season, Illinois is going for three straight home wins, last done in 1991.