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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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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Quinton Flowers #9 of the South Florida Bulls looks to pass against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the 1st quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jason Behnken / Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Quinton Flowers #9 of the South Florida Bulls looks to pass against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the 1st quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jason Behnken / Getty Images) /

13. Oregon State – 0-1

  • First Loss: September 18, 1965
  • Last Loss: September 18, 1965

There are some random teams on the list whom Illinois only played once, and Oregon State is one of those programs. The Beavers have been a part of the PAC-12 for a long time, but the Illini haven’t managed to play them since 1965.

The Illini actually had a decent team in 1965. We finished the year 6-4 overall but it was a rough start. The first game of the season was against Oregon State where the Beavers would beat us in a close game, 12-10. This loss sparked a streak of losing three out of the first four contests.

14. South Florida – 0-2

  • First Loss: September 15, 2017
  • Last Loss: September 15, 2018

Illinois would schedule a home-and-home against South Florida in 2017 and 2018. This would be the first and second time the two teams have ever played. Neither game went well for the Illini.

The Illini had a pretty bad team in 2017. We couldn’t keep up with Quinton Flowers, and South Florida would beat us 47-23. Illinois had the Bulls in 2018, but we blew a big lead. South Florida would score 18 points in the fourth quarter to win the game, 25-19.

15. Southern Mississippi – 0-2

  • First Loss: September 6, 1997
  • Last Loss: September 7, 2002

Southern Mississippi has only seen Illinois two times in the history of college football, and they have beaten us both times. The first game was in 1997, and this was the first game of the Ron Turner era. Illinois was awful that season, going 0-11 and losing the first game of the year to Southern Mississippi, 24-7.

The second game came years later in 2002. Illinois just came off a Sugar Bowl appearance, but we fell flat on our faces the following season. The Illini would fall to the Golden Eagles 23-20 to move to 0-2 that year.

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