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Illinois Football: Top 10 Illini Quarterbacks of All-Time

By Rees Woodcock

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Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Toward the end of the 1980’s and the beginning of the 1990’s, the Illinois football team went through a string of success that is unprecedented with today’s Illini team.

Quarterback Jason Verduzco was a part of this success and was the leader for most of it.

In Verduzco’s freshman season he didn’t get to play much.  There was a quarterback by the name of Jeff George ahead of him.

Despite being a backup, Verduzco threw for 172 yards and a touchdown in his freshman season.  Illinois ended up winning 10 games this season and won the Citrus Bowl over Virginia.

In Verduzco’s sophomore campaign he kept up the winning.  He threw for 2,567 yards and 16 touchdowns.  The Illini went on to lose the Hall of Fame Bowl after an eight-win season.

Verduzco led Illinois back to a bowl game his junior season.  The team only went 6-6 but the Illini made the Sun Bowl and lost to UCLA.

In Verduzco’s junior season he threw for 3,014 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The streak of bowl games continued into Verduzco’s senior season.  He threw for 1,779 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Illini finished 6-5-1.

Illinois made the Holiday Bowl that year where they lost to Hawaii.

Verduzco’s career at Illinois was one of the most successful runs by any quarterback we have ever seen in orange and blue.

Next: No. 7 Quarterback

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