“The Eighties Belong to the Illini” was a refrain often heard at that time. It was a time of outstanding quarterbacks. Mike White came to campus and opened up Illini football with a passing attack unparalleled in the Midwest. Dave Wilson set 44 Illini, Big Ten, and NCAA records during a 49-42 loss to Ohio State in Columbus on November 8, 1980. Wilson completed 43 passes to ten different receivers for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns. The fans gave Wilson and the Illini a standing ovation at the completion of the game. White’s 1983 team defeated every other Big Ten team before losing to UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Other quarterbacks who played during the eighties were Jack Trudeau (holds career passing yardage record (8725 yards)), Tony Eason (season passing yardage record (3671 yards)), and Jeff George. All four quarterbacks enjoyed successful NFL careers. Dave Williams was a consensus All-American and holds the single game (208 yards on 11 catches), season (1278 yards on 101 receptions), and career (3671 yards on 226 completions) receiving records for the Fighting Illini.