Illinois football has one of the longest histories of any program in the country, but there are some teams we have played but never beaten.
It is hard to imagine a program dating back to 1892 that hasn’t beaten every college team at least once. But that is the case with the Illini. There are 18 teams Illinois has played but has failed to come out victorious.
Illinois football has played, but never beaten, these teams
1. Alabama – 0-1
- First Loss: December 29, 1982
- Last Loss: December 29, 1982
The only time Illinois has ever played Alabama was in the Liberty Bowl in 1982. A 7-4 Illini crew held tough but fell just short to the Crimson Tide, 21-15.
Tony Eason would end up throwing for 423 yards and four interceptions in the game. It would also be legendary Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s final game with the Crimson Tide.
2. Clemson – 0-1
- First Loss: January 1, 1991
- Last Loss: January 1, 1991
Much like Alabama, the only time Illinois ever played Clemson was during a bowl game. The two teams matched up in the 1991 Hall of Fame Bowl. This was a massacre, as the Illini would get their butts handed to them, 30-0.
From the opening kickoff, this game got out of hand. The Tigers scored on its first possession, and then Illinois would fumble the ball the following drive. Everything would snowball from there.
3. Eastern Michigan – 0-1
- First Loss: September 14, 2019
- Last Loss: September 14, 2019
Illinois fans had a wild ride in 2019. What was surely going to be a season where we fired our head coach ended up turning into a 6-6 bowl campaign.
A large part of the dismayed fanbase was the fact Illinois dropped a game to Eastern Michigan. This was the only time the Illini have ever played the Eagles, and it was an ugly loss that started a four-game losing streak.