After the University of Illinois barely beat Southern Illinois in the Illini first game of the college football season, angry fans and alumni took to Green Street in Champaign. They demanded the firing of head coach Tim Beckman and the rehiring of Ron Zook, who was let go by the university in 2011.
The blue and orange were expected to romp over the Football Championship Subdivision Salukis, who came within three yards and a blown extra point of upsetting Illinois, which prompted the outrage of fans.
“Bring back Zook. Fire Beckman,” screamed the crowd estimated to be about 75 people and gathered outside Murphy’s Pub. Chants of “Hey, Hey we’re real mad, 6 and 6 ain’t so bad,” was accompanied by repeated cursing and swearing.
Illinois alumnus Marcus Randolph, retired attorney from Peoria, IL, was livid. “Did you see what I saw on the field today? Zero talent, none whatsoever. Hell, I can start for this team, and I’m 74- years old!”
A tearful Ned Gordon, fifth year senior and Gender and Women’s Studies major from Lake Forest, IL, has great concern for his personal legacy. “I’ve been here four years and we’ve won, like, three games. Tell that to my grandchildren 40 years from now.”
Fork lift salesman Jack Boyer of Collinsville, who attended U of I 1991 through 1993, but didn’t graduate, asked a question that is on the minds of thousands of Fighting Illini faithful
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“Is Lou Tepper or Ron Turner still around?
