The 1957 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1957 Big Ten season. In their 16th year under head coach Ray Eliot, the Illini compiled a 4âÂÂ5 record (3âÂÂ4 in conference games), finished in seventh place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 167 to 133.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Tom Haller (675 passing yards, 51.0% completion percentage), fullback Ray Nitschke (514 rushing yards, 6.5 yards per carry), and end Rich Kreitling (12 receptions for 203 yards). End Ron Hanson was selected as the team's most valuable player.
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.