The 1996 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 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Lou Tepper, the Fighting Illini compiled a 2âÂÂ9 record (1âÂÂ7 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for ninth and last place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 372 to 190.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Scott Weaver (1,701 passing yards), running back Robert Holcombe (1,281 rushing yards, 78 points scored), and wide receiver Jason Dulick (53 receptions for 614 yards).
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.