1985 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
The 1985 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1985 Big Ten Conference football season. In their sixth year under head coach Mike White, the Fighting Illini compiled a 6–5–1 record, finished in third place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 303 to 275. They concluded the season with a loss to [1985 1985 Army Cadets football team|Army Cadets football team|Army] in the 1985 Peach Bowl.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jack Trudeau, running back Thomas Rooks, wide receiver David Williams, and kicker Chris White. Four Illinois players received first-team honors on the 1985 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Williams at wide receiver ; Jim Juriga at guard ; and White at kicker.
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
Game summaries
No. 6 USC
In a game that some considered a possible Rose Bowl preview, the Illini were doomed by 6 turnovers and found themselves in a 14–0 very early in the game. Illinois pulled to within 20–10 on a Chris White field goal early in the fourth quarter, but USC used ball control to grind out the clock - including 22 minutes of possession in the second half - and gain a big road win in the season opener for both teams.
No. 4 Michigan
On November 2, 1985, Illinois played Michigan to a 3–3 tie at Memorial Stadium. Each team kicked a field goal in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Michigan drove the length of the field, but fullback Gerald White fumbled at the Illinois 12-yard line, with the Illini recovering at the nine-yard line. Illinois then drove the length of the field and, with time running out, Chris White lined up for what would have been a game-winning 37-yard field goal. Dieter Heren tipped the ball, which hit the cross-bar and bounced back, and the game ended in a tie. After the game, head coach White said, "I don't remember feeling worse after a game.... I'm devastated."