The 1990 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third year under head coach John Mackovic, the Illini compiled an 8âÂÂ4 record (6âÂÂ2 in conference games), finished in a four-way tie for first place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 293 to 216. They concluded the season in the 1991 Hall of Fame Bowl, losing to Clemson. Ranked No. 16 in the AP poll at the end of the regular season, they dropped to No. 25 in the final poll issued after the bowl games.
Quarterback Jason Verduzco led the Big Ten with 213 completions,a 64.5% completion percentage, and 2,446 passing yards. Other statistical leaders included fullback Howard Griffith with 1,056 rushing yards and 90 points scored, and wide receiver Shawn Wax with 54 receptions for 863 yards.
Nose guard Moe Gardner was a consensus pick on the 1990 All-American team, and linebacker Darrick Brownlow received first-team honors from Football News (second-team from the AP and UPI). Five players received first-team honors on the 1990 All-Big Ten Conference football team: defensive linemen Gardner (AP-1, Coaches-1) and Mel Agee (AP-1, Coaches-1); linebacker Brownlow (AP-1, Coaches-1); receiver Shawn Wax (AP-1, Coaches-2); and center Curt Lovelace (AP-1).