2011 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
|year=2011
|team=Illinois Fighting Illini
|sport=football
|image= Fighting Illini logo.svg
|image_size=125
|conference=Big Ten Conference
|short_conf=Big Ten
|division=Leaders Division
|record=7–6
|conf_record=2–6
|head_coach=Ron Zook
|hc_year=7th
|hc_games=first 12 games
|head_coach2=Vic Koenning
|hc_games2=bowl game
|off_coach=Paul Petrino
|oc_year=2nd
|off_scheme=
|def_coach=Vic Koenning
|dc_year=2nd
|def_scheme=
|stadium=Memorial Stadium
|champion=Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl champion
|bowl=Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
|bowl_result= W 20–14 vs. UCLA
}}
{{2011 Big Ten football standings}}
The 2011 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Fighting Illini, who were led during the regular season by seventh-year head coach Ron Zook, are members of the Big Ten Conference in the Legends Division and played their home games at Memorial Stadium. Zook was fired after the team lost the final six games of its regular season.{{cite news|title=Big Price Tag Attached to Zook's Firing|first=Chuck|last=Goudie|url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/8447417/|work=WLS|location=Chicago|date=November 28, 2011|access-date=November 20, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712163729/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=8447417|archive-date=July 12, 2012|url-status=live}} Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning was appointed as interim head coach led the team in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. On December 9, Illinois hired Tim Beckman as their new permanent head coach.
The Illini set a record that season, becoming the first NCAA FBS team to start their season off 6–0, but finish 6–6. All of their six losses came against Big Ten Conference opponents.
Before the team's appearance in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, nearly all of their assistant coaches were fired, as well as head coach Ron Zook.
The 2011 season ended with a 7–6 overall record, 2–6 in Big Ten play to finish 5th in Leaders Division, with a victory over UCLA in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 2011
| poll = AP
| timezone = Central
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 3
| time = 2:30 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank =
| opponent = Arkansas State
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = BTN
| score = 33–15
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 10
| time = 11:00 am
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank =
| opponent = South Dakota State
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = BTN
| score = 56–3
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 17
| time = 6:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank =
| opponent = Arizona State
| opprank = 22
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = BTN
| score = 17–14
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 24
| time = 2:30 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 24
| opponent = Western Michigan
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = BTN
| score = 23–20
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 1
| time = 11:00 am
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| rank = 22
| opponent = Northwestern
| gamename = Land of Lincoln Trophy
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 38–35
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 8
| time = 1:30 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 19
| opponent = Indiana
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN
| gamename = rivalry
| tv = BTN
| score = 41–20
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 15
| time = 2:30 pm
| w/l = l
| rank = 16
| opponent = Ohio State
| gamename = Illibuck
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = ABC/ESPN
| score = 7–17
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 22
| time = 11:00 am
| w/l = l
| away = y
| rank = 23
| opponent = Purdue
| gamename = Purdue Cannon
| site_stadium = Ross–Ade Stadium
| site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 14–21
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 29
| time = 2:30 pm
| w/l = l
| away = y
| rank =
| opponent = Penn State
| opprank = 19
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| tv = ABC/ESPN2
| score = 7–10
| attend = 97,828{{cite web |title=Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Box Score|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=313020213|work=ESPN|date=October 29, 2011|access-date=October 29, 2011}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 12
| time = 2:30 pm
| w/l = l
| rank =
| opponent = Michigan
| opprank = 22
| gamename = rivalry
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = ABC/ESPN
| score = 14–31
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 19
| time = 11:00 am
| w/l = l
| rank =
| opponent = Wisconsin
| opprank = 15
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 17–28
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 26
| time = 2:30 pm
| w/l = l
| away = y
| rank =
| opponent = Minnesota
| site_stadium = TCF Bank Stadium
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| tv = BTN
| score = 7–27
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 31
| time = 12:30 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| rank =
| opponent = UCLA
| gamename = Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
| site_stadium = AT&T Park
| site_cityst = San Francisco, CA
| tv = ESPN
| score = 20–14
}}
}}
Game summaries
=Arkansas State=
{{see also|2011 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Arkansas State at Illinois
| Visitor = Arkansas State
| Host = Illinois
| V1 = 0 | V2 = 8 | V3 = 0 | V4 = 7
| H1 = 7 | H2 = 10 | H3 = 13 | H4 = 3
| Date = September 3
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone = CST
| StartTime = 2:37 p.m.
| ElapsedTime = 3:10
| Attendance = 45,154
| Weather = 96°, Sunny
| Referee = Mike Cannon
| TVAnnouncers = Tom Hart, Chris Martin & Rebecca Haarlow
| TVStation = BTN
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
Illinois opened the year at home for the first time since 2006. The opener was the first of eight home games for the Illini. After a slow start and falling behind 8–7 with 2:50 left in the 2nd quarter, the Illini scored a touchdown and a late field goal to take a 17 8 halftime lead. The offense continued to roll in the 2nd half as Illinois extended the lead to win the contest 33 15.
Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase led the Illini offense, finishing 16 for 23 on pass attempts totaling in 267 yards and two touchdowns. A.J. Jenkins was a favorite target for Scheelhaase, grabbing 11 receptions for 148 yards and 1 TD. Darius Millines also hauled in a TD and finished with 119 yards on 5 receptions. Jason Ford led the rushing attack with 86 yards on 22 carries and 2 touchdowns.
{{Clear}}
=South Dakota State=
{{see also|2011 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = South Dakota State at Illinois
| Visitor = South Dakota State
| Host = Illinois
| V1 = 0 | V2 = 3 | V3 = 0 | V4 = 0
| H1 = 21 | H2 = 14 | H3 = 14 | H4 = 7
| Date = September 10
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Kevin Kugler, Kelly Stouffer & Tony Banks
| TVStation = BTN
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Arizona State=
{{see also|2011 Arizona State Sun Devils football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Arizona State at Illinois
| Visitor =#22 Arizona State
| Host = Illinois
| V1 = 7 | V2 = 0 | V3 = 0 | V4 = 7
| H1 = 10 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 7
| Date = September 17
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Eric Collins, Chris Martin & Dionne Miller
| TVStation = BTN
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Western Michigan=
{{see also|2011 Western Michigan Broncos football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Western Michigan at Illinois
| Visitor = Western Michigan
| Host = #24 Illinois
| V1 = 3 | V2 = 10 | V3 = 0 | V4 = 7
| H1 = 7 | H2 = 3 | H3 = 10 | H4 = 3
| Date = September 24
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Wayne Larrivee, Jon Jansen & Lisa Byington
| TVStation = BTN
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Northwestern=
{{see also|2011 Northwestern Wildcats football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Northwestern at Illinois
| Visitor = Northwestern
| Host = #24 Illinois
| V1 = 0 | V2 = 14 | V3 = 14 | V4 = 7
| H1 = 7 | H2 = 3 | H3 = 7 | H4 = 21
| Date = October 1
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Beth Mowins & Mike Bellotti
| TVStation = ESPN2
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time=2:28 |Team=ILL |Event=A.J. Jenkins 14-yard pass from Nathan Scheelhaase (Derek Dimke kick) |Score= ILL 7-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=12:31 |Team=NW |Event=Drake Dinsmore 6-yard pass from Dan Persa (Jeff Budzien kick) |Score= Tied 7-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=2:08 |Team=NW |Event=Jeremy Ebert 3-yard pass from Dan Persa (Jeff Budzien kick) |Score= NW 14-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=0:00 |Team=ILL |Event=Derek Dimke 49-yard field goal |Score=NW 14-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=11:42 |Team=NW |Event=Jeremy Ebert 39-yard pass from Dan Persa (Jeff Budzien kick) |Score= NW 21-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= 7:11|Team=NW |Event=Jeremy Ebert 4-yard pass from Dan Persa (Jeff Budzien kick) |Score= NW 28-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= 3:51|Team=ILL |Event= A.J. Jenkins 33-yard pass from Nathan Scheelhaase (Derek Dimke kick)|Score= NW 28-17}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=14:53 |Team=ILL |Event=A.J. Jenkins 50-yard pass from Nathan Scheelhaase (run failed) |Score= NW 28-23}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=6:53 |Team= ILL|Event=Donovonn Young 1-yard run (Nathan Scheelhaase to Spencer Harris pass) |Score=ILL 31-28}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 4|Time=1:15 |Team=NW |Event=Jacob Schmidt 6-yard run (Jeff Budzien kick) |Score= NW 35-31}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=0:13 |Team=ILL |Event=Nathan Scheelhaase 1-yard run (Derek Dimke kick) |Score=ILL 38-35 |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{cite web |title=Illinois Completes Comeback in Final Minute to Defeat Rival Northwestern|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312740356|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915035837/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312740356|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2016|work=ESPN|date=October 1, 2011|access-date=November 20, 2014}}
{{Clear}}
=Indiana=
{{see also|2011 Indiana Hoosiers football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Illinois at Indiana
| Visitor = #19 Illinois
| Host = Indiana
| V1 = 14 | V2 = 13 | V3 = 7 | V4 = 7
| H1 = 10 | H2 = 3 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 7
| Date = October 8
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Bloomington, IN
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Eric Collins & Chris Martin
| TVStation = BTN
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Ohio State=
{{see also|2011 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Ohio State at Illinois
| Visitor = Ohio State
| Host = #16 Illinois
| V1 = 3| V2 = 0| V3 = 7| V4 = 7
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 7
| Date = October 15
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Bob Wischusen, Bob Davie & Heather Cox
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Purdue=
{{see also|2011 Purdue Boilermakers football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Illinois at Purdue
| Visitor = #23 Illinois
| Host = Purdue
| V1 = 0 | V2 = 0 | V3 = 0 | V4 = 14
| H1 = 7 | H2 = 14 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0
| Date = October 22
| Location = Ross–Ade Stadium
West Lafayette, IN
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Beth Mowins & Mike Bellotti
| TVStation = ESPN2
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{cite web |title=Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Purdue Boilermakers Box Score|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=312952509|work=ESPN|date=October 22, 2011|access-date=October 22, 2011}}
{{Clear}}
=Penn State=
{{see also|2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Illinois at Penn State
| Visitor = Illinois
| Host = #19 Penn State
| V1 = 0 | V2 = 0 | V3 = 7 | V4 = 0
| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 10
| Date = October 29
| Location = Beaver Stadium
University Park, PA
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Carter Blackburn & Brock Huard
| TVStation = ABC/ESPN2
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Michigan=
{{see also|2011 Michigan Wolverines football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Michigan at Illinois
| Visitor = #22 Michigan
| Host = Illinois
| V1 = 7 | V2 = 7 | V3 = 3 | V4 = 14
| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 7 | H4 = 7
| Date = November 12
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Justin Kutcher & Craig James
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Wisconsin=
{{see also|2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Wisconsin at Illinois
| Visitor = Wisconsin
| Host = Illinois
| V1 = 0 | V2 = 7 | V3 = 14 | V4 = 7
| H1 = 0 | H2 = 17 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0
| Date = November 19
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone= EST
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Beth Mowins & Mike Bellotti
| TVStation = ESPN2
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=Minnesota=
{{see also|2011 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Illinois at Minnesota
| Visitor = Illinois
| Host = Minnesota
| V1 = 0 | V2 = 0 | V3 = 7 | V4 = 0
| H1 = 0 | H2 = 20 | H3 = 7 | H4 = 0
| Date = November 26
| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Tom Hart, Derek Rackley & Lisa Byington
| TVStation = BTN
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{Clear}}
=UCLA (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)=
{{See also|2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (December)|2011 UCLA Bruins football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Illinois at Bruins
| Visitor = Illinois
| Host = Bruins
| V1 =0 | V2 =3| V3 =7| V4 =10
| H1 =0 | H2 =7| H3 =0| H4 =7
| Date = December 31
| Location = AT&T Park
San Francisco, California
| TimeZone =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = Carter Blackburn & Brock Huard
| TVStation = ESPN
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
The Bruins, with a losing record, were granted a waiver to play in a bowl game by the NCAA on November 30, 2011 since their seventh loss was played in the post-season Pac-12 Championship Game.[https://archive.today/20130105150605/http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113011aaa.html UCLA Bowl Waiver Approved By NCAA ], UCLABruins.com, November 30, 2011 The Bruins were coached by interim head coach Mike Johnson, who replaced Rick Neuheisel.
Second Quarter scoring: UCLA – Taylor Embree 16-yard pass from Kevin Prince (Tyler Gonzalez kick); ILL – Derek Dimke 36-yard field goal
Third Quarter scoring: ILL – T. Hawthorne 39-yard interception return (Dimke kick)
Fourth Quarter scoring: ILL – Dimke 37-yard field goal; ILL – A. J. Jenkins 60-yard pass from N. Scheelhaase (Dimke kick); UCLA – Nelson Rosario 38-yard pass from Prince (Gonzalez kick){{Clear}}
Rankings
{{See also|2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings}}
{{NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
| finalpollweek = 15 | harrisfirstweek = 6 | bcsfirstweek = 7
| AP_pre = NR
| coaches_pre = NR
| AP_1 = NR
| coaches_1 = NR
| AP_2 = NR
| coaches_2 = NR
| AP_3 = 24
| coaches_3 = RV
| AP_4 = 24
| coaches_4 = 22
| AP_5 = 19
| coaches_5 = 16
| AP_6 = 16
| coaches_6 = 15
| harris_6 = 14
| AP_7 = 23
| coaches_7 = 21
| harris_7 = 20
| bcs_7 = 23
| AP_8 = RV
| coaches_8 = RV
| harris_8 = RV
| bcs_8 = NR
| AP_9 = NR
| coaches_9 = NR
| harris_9 = NR
| bcs_9 = NR
| AP_10 = NR
| coaches_10 = NR
| harris_10 = NR
| bcs_10 = NR
| AP_11 = NR
| coaches_11 = NR
| harris_11 = NR
| bcs_11 = NR
| AP_12 = NR
| coaches_12 = NR
| harris_12 = NR
| bcs_12 = NR
| AP_13 = NR
| coaches_13 = NR
| harris_13 = NR
| bcs_13 = NR
| AP_14 = NR
| coaches_14 = NR
| harris_14 = NR
| bcs_14 = NR
| AP_15 = NR
| coaches_15 = NR
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Illinois Fighting Illini football navbox}}
Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons