CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The University of Illinois is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Red Grange‘s historical Memorial Stadium Dedication Game against Michigan with a Memorial Stadium Rededication on Friday, October 18, 2024.
On October 18, 1924, Grange put on one of the best games in college football history in the newly dedicated Memorial Stadium. He was facing a strong Michigan team with an unbroken 20-game win streak allowing only 32 points during their run. Grange scored four touchdowns alone in the first 12 minutes and by the end of the game, he earned six touchdowns for a total of 400 yards. In Illini’s 39-14 win over Michigan, Grange was responsible for 36 points on his own. He earned the nickname “Galloping Ghost” which has gone down in history.
“Michigan never knew Red Grange, the Illinois wildcat, until today. Now Michigan knows him well,” wrote James Crusinberry of the Chicago Tribune in 1924.
The Memorial Stadium is now receiving its 100-year anniversary rededication ceremony on Friday inside of Grange Grove. The ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. CT, is free, and is open to the public. It will feature the many uses of Memorial Stadium throughout the years and will unveil new historic features within the stadium. A celebration gala will also take place in Colonnades Club at 5:30 p.m. and will feature great Illinois players sharing stories and reliving the past 100 years.
On Saturday October 19, Illinois will face off against Michigan again for the Memorial Stadium Rededication Game. They will be wearing helmets hand painted to look like the leather helmets of the time and 1920s-themed throwback uniforms. These uniforms will be similar to the uniforms of the 1924 dedication game with the same blue base and vertical stripes down the middle of the jersey.