Aug. 15, 2008
University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) officials announced today that Fighting Illini greats Tommy O'Connell and Jason Verduzco will return to Champaign-Urbana for the Illinois Renaissance celebration game against Eastern Illinois Sept. 6. The pair of signal-callers joins a long list of legendary Illinois players who will be on hand for the 2008 home opener, when fans will get their first look at the newly finished stadium.
"Needless to say, it is a great honor to be chosen as one of the top 10 QBs in Illini football history," O'Connell said. "As I look back some 55 years, I am thrilled that I played for the Illini. It will be great to meet these modern-day QB greats at Illinois. It would be great to play with these passing attacks that they have today!"
O'Connell was an honorable mention All-American in 1951 after leading Illinois to its last undefeated season with a 9-0-1 record, a win in the Rose Bowl and a final No. 1 ranking. He also was a second-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 1952.
"With all the past people and what they've done and their accomplishments and credentials, it was a huge honor," Verduzco said of being named to the top 10 list. "Coming back and reminiscing and being a part of that whole environment is something I'm looking forward to. Also looking at the new facilities and getting to meet some of the players and coaches will be a lot of fun."
Verduzco led Illinois to three consecutive bowl games from 1990-92 and stands third on Illinois' career passing yardage list. An honorable mention All-American in 1992, Verduzco also racked up 11 games of 250-plus passing yards, which ranks as the fourth-most in Illini history.
The Illinois Renaissance celebration will be highlighted by the return of a multitude of former Fighting Illini players, with the list of 10 greatest Illini in Memorial Stadium history at each position being honored during eight breaks throughout the game. The current team also will honor past greats by donning throwback uniforms modeled in the style of the Butkus era. Illinois will take on Eastern Illinois Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. The game will be nationally televised by the Big Ten Network.
The growing list of Fighting Illini greats slated to attend the Sept. 6 Renaissance Celebration:
Mike Bellamy, WR, 1988-89
Dick Butkus, LB, 1962-64
J.C. Caroline, RB, 1953-54
Scott Davis, DE, 1983-87
Doug Dieken, TE, 1968-70
Jim Grabowski, RB, 1963-65
Chris Green, DB, 1987-90
Dana Howard, LB, 1991-94
Kurt Kittner, QB, 1998-2001
Rich Kreitling, WR, 1957-58
Mike Martin, WR, 1980-82
Ed O'Bradovich, DL, 1959-60
Tommy O'Connell, QB, 1951-52
Joe Rutgens, DL, 1958-60
Craig Swoope, DB, 1982-85
Don Thorp, DL, 1980-83
Jack Trudeau, QB, 1983-85
Jason Verduzco, QB, 1989-92
David Williams, WR, 1983-85
