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Illinois football has played, but never beaten, these teams

By Rees Woodcock

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Nick Saban of the Louisiana State University Tigers takes the field against the Georgia Bulldogs during the game at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2004 in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs won 45-16. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Nick Saban of the Louisiana State University Tigers takes the field against the Georgia Bulldogs during the game at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2004 in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs won 45-16. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Oct 9, 2004; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Nick Saban coaches against the Florida Gators in the 4th quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Preston Mack-USA TODAY Sports(©) Copyright 2004 by Preston Mack
Oct 9, 2004; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Nick Saban coaches against the Florida Gators in the 4th quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Preston Mack-USA TODAY Sports(©) Copyright 2004 by Preston Mack /

7. LSU – 0-1

  • First Loss: January 1, 2002
  • Last Loss: January 1, 2002

That 2001 campaign was pretty magical for the Illinois football program. Kurt Kittner has the offense moving, and the Illinois defense could hold its own. After a 10-1 season with the only loss coming to Michigan, the Illini earned a spot in the Sugar Bowl against LSU.

The matchup between Illinois and LSU in 2002 would be the first and last time the two teams have ever played. The Illini didn’t start the game well, getting down 27-0 before halftime. But a tough fight brought the game back within 13 points early in the fourth quarter. Illinois would end up losing to LSU, 47-34.

8. Louisiana Tech – 0-2

  • First Loss: September 22, 2012
  • Last Loss: December 26, 2014

There have been two matchups between Louisiana Tech and the Illini throughout the history of the programs. The first loss came back in 2012. Illinois was a putrid team in the first year of Tim Beckman. We would fall to the Bulldogs, 52-24. Illinois would go 2-10 that season.

The second of the two matchups came a couple of seasons later in 2014. Illinois finally made it back to a bowl game, and the two teams went head-to-head in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Illinois couldn’t keep up with Louisiana Tech and would fall to the Bulldogs, 35-18.

9. Maryland – 0-2

  • First Loss: October 27, 2018
  • Last Loss: September 17, 2021

Honestly, I was a bit shocked that Illinois has never beaten Maryland. The Terrapins have been in the Big Ten for a decade, but we have only played them two times in the history of the program. The first matchup came in 2018. Illinois was struggling, and Maryland exposed us. They dominated every facet of the game, beating the Illini 63-33.

Round two game in the first year Bret Bielema was at the helm. The Illini were competitive this time around, as Maryland would only beat us 20-17. Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 350 yards and a touchdown.

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