The 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their fourth season under head coach Ron Zook, the Fighting Illini compiled a 5âÂÂ7 record (3âÂÂ5 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for sixth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 344 to 319.
Quarterback Juice Williams led the Big Ten with 3,173 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Williams also led the team with 719 rushing yards. The team's other statistical leaders included wide receiver Arrelious Benn (67 receptions for 1,055 yards) and kicker Matt Keller (84 points scored, 39 of 41 extra points, 15 of 20 field goals).
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
In the first quarter, Matt Eller kicked a 51-yard field goal. Brit Miller recovered Michael Desormeaux's fumble for a 27-yard touchdown. Drew Edmiston kicked a 24-yard field goal for Louisiana-Lafayette. Juice Williams passed to Daniel Dufrene for a 10-yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter.
In the second half, Desormeaux rushed for a 34-yard touchdown and passed to Erick Jones for an 11-yard touchdown. Matt Eller kicked a 27-yard field goal for the Fighting Illini.
The Illini lost on the road to the Nittany Lions 38âÂÂ24 in a nationally televised, prime time, "White Out" game at Beaver Stadium. Illinois jumped out to a 14âÂÂ7 lead, becoming the first team to take a lead on the Nittany Lions and the first to score points against them in the first quarter this season. However, the Nittany Lions responded with two touchdowns en route to a 21âÂÂ14 halftime lead. The Illini wouldn't score again until kicking a field goal on the final play of the third quarter after recovering a Stephfon Green fumble, but Derrick Williams returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.
The loss was head coach Ron ZookâÂÂs first as a head coach against a ranked opponent. The Illini's 24 points were the most allowed by Penn State this season as were their 189 total rushing yards.
Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams became the first player under PSU head coach Joe Paterno to score a rushing, a receiving, and a kick return touchdown in the same game. Williams was selected the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
The Fighting Illini fell to the Badgers 27âÂÂ17 for Wisconsin's first Big Ten win of the year. The Badgers outscored Illinois 17âÂÂ7 in the second half.