Illinois football fans know what Vanderbilt is feeling after huge win over Alabama

The college football world and probably some Illinois football fans witnessed a huge upset on Saturday.

While the Illini didn’t play and, therefore didn’t lose, there was plenty of action going on around the college landscape.

An example of this action was when No. 1 Alabama took on Vanderbilt. This is a game that no one took seriously. Why would you? The Crimson Tide was 63-18-4 against the Commodores all-time, and Vanderbilt hadn’t beaten Alabama since the Reagan administration.

On Saturday, college football was rocked. Vanderbilt took on the No. 1 team in the country and beat them 40-35. This was an incredible game that saw an unranked program that had been a bottom-feeder take down the best team in the country who just took down Georgia.

This type of upset is something Vanderbilt fans will remember for a lifetime. I know this because the Illinois football team went through a similar situation and had a similar feeling nearly 20 years ago.

Illinois football beat Ohio State in similar fashion to how Vanderbilt took down Alabama

While the numbers aren’t the same, as nearly 20 years ago the game was a bit different, Illinois can share the feeling of taking down a giant. Back in 2007, Illinois matched up against the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State was led by Beanie Wells on offense and had a laundry list of talented defensive players like Vernon Gholston, Mike Jenkins, and James Laurinaitis. Outmatched and out-talented, Illinois was able to slay the Buckeyes for one of the biggest wins in program history.

There were multiple reasons both Illinois and Vanderbilt came away with wins over the No. 1 team in the country. Both quarterbacks played arguably the best game of their career.

Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 56 yards. Juice Williams, for the Illini, threw 140 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 72 yards. These career performances helped elevate their respective programs.

Both Illinois and Vanderbilt also caused the opposing quarterbacks to underperform. Illinois held Ohio State’s Todd Boeckman to 156 yards and three interceptions. While Jalen Milroe threw for 312 yards and a touchdown, Vanderbilt forced him to throw an interception and caused a fumble late in the game. Milroe only rushed for 10 yards as well.

That day in 2007 was huge for the Illinois football program. I will remember that win over Ohio State until I leave this Earth. Vanderbilt fans get to experience that joy now. Congrats to all the Commodores fans, this victory will live on forever.