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Illinois Illini To Honor Red Grange With Galloping Ghost Uniforms

By Ted Schwerzler

Apr 12, 2014; Champaign, IL, USA; A general view of Memorial Stadium before the Illinois Fighting Illini spring football game. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2014; Champaign, IL, USA; A general view of Memorial Stadium before the Illinois Fighting Illini spring football game. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcoming the Minnesota Gophers into Champaign for a week 8 college football matchup, the Fighting Illini will wear jerseys that act as a throwback to yesteryear.

The Illinois Fighting Illini are set to welcome the Minnesota Gophers into Memorial Stadium on Saturday for a Big Ten conference matchup. Still seeking their first conference win, the Fighting Illini will be looking to channel the good fortune of former Illini player, Red Grange.

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Nicknamed the “Galloping Ghost,” Red Grange was a former player for the Fighting Illini, as well as playing for the Chicago Bears. ESPN named Grange as the best football player of all time in 2008. In the movie Leathernecks, it is Red Grange that the story was loosely based upon.

As a way to honor his legacy, the Fighting Illini are donning a uniform combination dubbed “Gray Ghost.” With silver accents and a gray primary color, the sleeves are flanked by Illini blue.

Despite Red Grange being arguably the best player to ever put on a University of Illinois Fighting Illini jersey, the team will be looking for someone to step up big this weekend. While the Gophers are far from a powerhouse, they have played the role of favorite plenty of times this season.

Now ranked 24th in the Coaches Poll, the Gophers are 6-1 and looking very strong under the leadership of Jerry Kill. With a strong running attack of their own, bolstered by David Cobb, Minnesota will be looking to knock off Illinois on the road.

For Illinois, a leaky defense will need to slow down Minnesota’s powerful running attack. Having only beaten three weaker non-conference foes, the Fighting Illini may be looking at their last chance to win a game in Big Ten play this season. The Gophers being 6.5 point favorites may be the closest game Illinois plays the rest of the way.

Minnesota and Illinois kick off on Saturday at 12:00pm ET.

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