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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois will host the 20-year reunion for the Fighting Illini's 2001 Big Ten championship team during the opening weekend of college football on Aug. 28. The title team will be honored at the season opener against Nebraska and members of the team will sign autographs in Grange Grove pregame.
The 2001 Illinois Fighting Illini will also be in Champaign the Friday night before the game for an event at the Smith Football Center. A formal reunion is planned for postgame on Aug. 28.
Illinois went 10-2 in 2001 and finished the regular season with a seven-game winning streak to clinch the Big Ten title. The Illini had their best regular-season record since the 1983 Rose Bowl team and earned a spot in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) for the first time, appearing in the 2002 Nokia Sugar Bowl against LSU.
The Fighting Illini finished No. 12 in the final AP Top 25 and were in the top 10 for the final four weeks of the regular season, peaking at No. 7 on Dec. 9. Illinois was ranked in the top 10 for the final five weeks of the BCS poll, including staying at No. 8 for the final four weeks.
Illinois had one of its best passing attacks in program history in 2001, led by Kurt Kittner and Brandon Lloyd. Kurt Kittner threw for 3,256 yards and 27 touchdowns, while Lloyd tied Illinois records with 10 touchdowns and six 100-yard receiving games.
Illinois scored 32.5 points per game, which was a school record at the time. The offense featured two of the top-four receivers in Illinois history in Lloyd (2nd, 2,583 career yards) and Walter Young (4th, 2,383 career yards) and two of the top-five rushers in Illinois history in Antoineo Harris (2nd, 2,985 career yards) and Rocky Harvey (5th, 2,711 career yards). The offensive line was anchored by future NFL players David Diehl, Tony Pashos, and Sean Bubin.
On the defensive side, Illinois had 40 sacks and 89 TFLs, its second- and fourth-most in a season in school history. Eugene Wilson led the nation with an Illinois-record 30 pass breakups.
Former Illini who are expected to be in attendance at the Aug. 28 game against Nebraska will be announced in the coming weeks. The Illini and Cornhuskers kick off at 12 p.m. CT on FOX as the first kickoff in college football.
Illinois Football Ticket Information
SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets are now on sale for 2021 Fighting Illini football. Fans can get season tickets today for as low as $144. Discounted tickets are also available for University faculty and staff. Visit FightingIllini.com or call 1-866-ILLINI-1 to get your season tickets today.
FOR THE "FAMILLY": The I FUND "FamILLy" Four Pack is once again available, providing four season tickets for all seven games for just $399 ($74.75 per season ticket), and includes a $100 I FUND membership in the Captain's Club. Captain's Club members are eligible for a complimentary season parking pass as part of their benefits.
PREMIUM SEATING: Illinois Premium Seating opportunities are available for the 2021 football season with club seat options starting at $999 per seat for new members . Please contact premiumseating@illinois.edu for details to secure your spot in the best seats in Memorial Stadium.
