Sept. 4, 2008
University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics officials announced Thursday that Fighting Illini greats Al Brosky, George Donnelly, Moe Gardner, Henry Jones and Scott Studwell will return to Champaign-Urbana for the Illinois Renaissance celebration game against Eastern Illinois Sept. 6. The quintet 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.
Brosky is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and holds the NCAA record with 29 career interceptions. He also holds the collegiate record for most consecutive games with an interception after picking off at least one pass in 15 straight games. He led Illinois to a 20-7-1 record from 1950-52, which included the Big Ten title and an undefeated 9-0-1 record in 1951, plus a victory in the 1952 Rose Bowl.
Donnelly was a first-team All-American in 1964 and was the No. 13 overall selection in the 1965 NFL Draft. He is tied for third on Illinois' career interception list with 13 and his eight picks in 1964 are fourth-most in a season at Illinois.
Gardner was a two-time consensus All-American in 1989-90 and an honorable mention All-American in 1988. He was the only active player to be named to Illinois' All-Century team in 1990 and ranks second in school history in career tackles for loss. His 18 career sacks rank fifth on the Illinois record list and he led the Illini to three consecutive bowl games from 1988-90. Gardner played six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after being drafted by the team in the 1991 NFL Draft.
Jones was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in 1989-90 and ranks sixth on Illinois' career interceptions list with 11 picks. He was the No. 26 overall draft pick in the 1991 NFL Draft and played 12 years in the NFL, 11 with the Buffalo Bills. Jones played in three consecutive Super Bowls with the Bills from 1991-93.
Studwell recorded 177 tackles in 1976, which broke the school record at the time and currently ranks second. He amassed 342 tackles in his career and enjoyed a stellar 14-year career with the Minnesota Vikings.
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 Dick 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 Bass, PK, 1980-82
- Dan Beaver, PK, 1973-76
- Mike Bellamy, WR, 1988-89
- Al Brosky, DB, 1950-52
- Darrick Brownlow, LB, 1987-90
- Dick Butkus, LB, 1962-64
- Mark Butkus, DT, 1980-83
- J.C. Caroline, RB, 1953-54
- Scott Davis, DE, 1983-87
- Dave Diehl, OL, 1999-2002
- Doug Dieken, TE, 1968-70
- Ken Dilger, TE, 1991-94
- George Donnelly, DB, 1962-64
- Moe Gardner, DT, 1987-90
- Jeff George, QB, 1988-89
- Mike Gow, DB, 1972-74
- Jim Grabowski, RB, 1963-65
- Chris Green, DB, 1987-90
- Howard Griffith, RB, 1987-90
- Kevin Hardy, LB, 1992-95
- Robert Holcombe, RB, 1994-97
- Brad Hopkins, OT, 1990-92
- Dana Howard, LB, 1991-94
- Jim Juriga, OG, 1982-85
- Henry Jones, DB, 1987-90
- John Karras, RB, 1949-51
- Kurt Kittner, QB, 1998-2001
- Rich Kreitling, WR, 1957-58
- Adam Lingner, LS, 1979-82
- Mike Martin, WR, 1980-82
- Larry McCarren, C, 1970-72
- Ed O'Bradovich, DL, 1959-60
- Tommy O'Connell, QB, 1951-52
- Thomas Rooks, RB, 1982-85
- Joe Rutgens, DL, 1958-60
- Tim Simpson, OG, 1988-91
- Revie Sorey, OG, 1972-74
- Scott Studwell, LB, 1973-76
- Craig Swoope, DB, 1982-85
- Don Thorp, DL, 1980-83
- Jack Trudeau, QB, 1983-85
- Jason Verduzco, QB, 1989-92
- Mike Wells, QB, 1970-72
- Chris White, PK, 1983-85l
- David Williams, WR, 1983-85
- John Wright Sr., WR, 1965-67
- Walter Young, WR, 1999-2002>/ul>
