Illinois Throwback Jerseys Revealed Ahead of Oct. 19 Michigan Football Game

The Illini will pay tribute to Harold "Red" Grange and Memorial Stadium Oct. 19 against Michigan.

Nov 25, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Casey Washington (14) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports / Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

This season marks a milestone for the Illinois Fighting Illini football program.

More specifically, on Oct. 19, Illinois welcomes the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines to town to commemorate Memorial Stadium’s 100th year of existence with the "Rededication Game."

But the game between the Illini and Michigan will look a little different, one that would make ex-Illini great Harold “Red” Grange proud.

According to a press release from Illinois Athletics Wednesday night, the team plans to wear throwback-style uniforms, paying tribute to Grange’s legendary performance against those same Wolverines and preserving the history of arguably the most significant era in program history.

Illinois won national championships in football in 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927, and 1951 while having sporadic success during the 1980s, 1990s, and infrequent years during the 2000s. This included an upset win against then-No.1 Ohio State in 2007, ending what would have likely been a perfect season.

A streak of fire, a breath of flame. Eluding all who reach and clutch, a gray ghost thrown into the game.

As a program that always remembers who came before us, we will honor Red Grange and his incredible impact on football during our Memorial Stadium Rededication Game on Oct.… pic.twitter.com/FjUSjZmJ3x

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 8, 2024

At press time, kickoff and TV designations have not been determined, nor have any plans for the week of the game regarding on-campus promotion, etc. Of course, this will partially be determined by how Illinois fares to that point, as its season begins three weeks from today.

Below is a video displaying the creation of the helmets and why it was essential to get the near-exact replica correct.

"So iconic as far as the history of football."

Individually hand-painted, each helmet being worn in the Memorial Stadium Rededication Game went through an intricate process to be ready for game day on October 19th. #Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/CxaZlPR449

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 7, 2024

The official Illini ‘X’ account shared pictures of what the uniform will look like, gaining positive responses from college football fans everywhere.

Representing 100 years of history, tradition and passion.

For Memorial Stadium's Rededication Game on Oct. 19, we will wear special uniforms to commemorate the iconic performance of the Galloping Ghost, Red Grange, in the stadium's Dedication Game against Michigan in 1924.… pic.twitter.com/JFsBqgThd2

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 7, 2024

For now, the anticipation builds for an Illinois team aiming to return to the postseason and rekindle the greatness Grange and others who came after him will hope to achieve.

Zain Bando is a contributor to Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or follow him on X @zainbando99