In preparation for the renewed “rivalry” between the Fighting Illini and Scarlet Knights this weekend in New Jersey, the following is a first-hand account of where it all began; when years and years ago, former Illinois AD Ron Guenther agreed to a home and home series with Big East football powerhouse Rutgers in the mid-aughts of the 21st century.
I say, first-hand, as I was there, working as a student manager for Illinois Football during the glory years from 2003-06, when the mighty Illini won a total of 8 games, split between the final two years of the Ron Turner era and the first two of the Ron Zook reign (and yes, this was a simpler time when all head coaches and athletic directors were named Ron).