The 1928 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 1928 Big Ten season. In their 16th season under head coach Robert Zuppke, the Illini compiled a 7–1 record (4–1 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, shut out five of eight opponent, and outscored all opponents by a total of 145 to 16. The team was ranked No. 6 in the Dickinson System ratings released in December 1928.
Tackle Butch Nowack was the team captain. Nowack also received first-team honors from the AP, UP, and Walter Eckersall on the 1928 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Guard Russ Crane received second-team All-Big Ten honors from Eckersall.
Schedule
Roster PlayerPositionButch Nowack (Captain)Tackle, KickerRuss CraneGuardOliver M. 'Pete' LanghorstJudson TimmHalfbackFritz HumbertFullbackRinquistDwight StuessyQuarterbackDoug MillsFullback, PunterFrank WalkerFullbackTom NickolFullbackJohn TarwainEndJames LewisForrest 'Frosty' PetersKicker, QuarterbackWalter JolleyEndCarl H. BergesonKeston J. DeimlingGuardRouseKen FieldsQuarterbackLouis GordonGuardL. J. WietzTackleL. S. BurdickTackleNorman McClureGuardChuck HallHalfbackRobert Z. HickmanH. E. RichmanOtto R. HillsOlaf RobinsonHalfbackLou GordonTackle, Guard, End
Head coach: Robert Zuppke (15th year at Illinois)
References