1953 Illinois Fighting Illini football team


The 1953 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1953 Big Ten season. In their 12th year under head coach Ray Eliot, the Fighting Illini compiled a 7–1–1 record, tied for first place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 228 to 133. They were ranked No. 7 in the final AP poll. The sole defeat was a 34–7 loss to Wisconsin.
Tackle Don Ernst was selected as the team's most valuable player. Sophomore halfback J. C. Caroline led the team with 1,256 rushing yards on 194 attempts and was selected as a consensus first-team player on the 1953 All-America team. Guard John Bauer was selected by the Newspaper Enterprise Association as a third-team All-American. Guard Jan Smid and back J. C. Caroline received first-team honors on the 1953 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Roster