CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois football kicked off the season Thursday night for the 100th season of Memorial Stadium. The Illini hosted Eastern Illinois University in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Eastern Illinois had a sizeable fan section but couldn’t compare to the Orange Crush – the Fighting Illini’s student section. It was 90 degrees just before kickoff, and there were plenty of medical personnel on hand, ready to help anyone suffering from heat-related illnesses.
The Marching Illini band too the field, and the cheerleaders got the crowd ready – and loud – for kickoff. Fireworks kicked this off, and the squad took the field. The fighting Illini were dominant on both sides of the ball and lead the Panthers in the third quarter 38-0.