The 2009 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 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their fifth season under head coach Ron Zook, the Fighting Illini compiled a 3âÂÂ9 record (2âÂÂ6 in conference games), finished in ninth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 362 to 290.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Juice Williams (1,632 passing yards), running back Mikel Leshoure (734 rushing yards, 42 points scored), and wide receiver Arrelious Benn (38 receptions for 490 yards).
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.