Illinois Football Moves Up Two Spots in the AP Top 25. Illinois Football certainly earned this week’s ranking. The Fighting Illini showed out in the 100th rededication of Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In celebration of Red Grange’s legendary October 19th, 1924 game, Illinois dominated the defending national champions in Memorial Stadium’s 77th all-time sellout. Certainly, a fitting tribute to Grange, as he famously wore number 77 during his time in Champaign.