Illinois has been a tough nut for Buckeyes to crack

COLUMBUS (AP) — Over the last three decades, not many teams have caused Ohio State more headaches and heartache than Illinois.

From 1930 to 1982, the Buckeyes went 43-8-2 against the Illini, an .830 winning percentage.

In the 24 meetings since, Ohio State is 13-11. The teams meet for the 96th time on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

Just as there is give and take in most games, teams rise and fall through the years. And they sometimes can go on hot or cold streaks when playing a particular opponent.

Former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce harkened back to his days as a student in Columbus in 1953, when the Buckeyes hosted the Illini having lost only three of the previous 18 meetings.

“I can remember when Illinois beat Ohio State in Woody Hayes’ third year, 41-20,” he said. “They had two great halfbacks and a great coach (Ray Eliot) and they became a great program.

“If you get a great player or two, they can turn things around quickly.”

The same holds true for the modern era. A blue-chip quarterback here, a blossoming linebacker there and all of a sudden one program can rise up against another.

In the early days of football, Illinois was the rage. Coach Bob Zuppke was on the sidelines for 29 years, starting in 1913, coaxing the program through World War I and the Depression. He originated the flea-flicker, screen pass, spiral snap from center, spring practices and the huddle.

Oh, and he won. He led the Illini to national championships in 1914, 1919, 1923 and 1927.

Zuppke, born in Germany, controlled the series against Ohio State back in the days when they annually closed the season against one another.

His rise — and that of Illinois’ program — paralleled that of Ohio State and coaches John Wilce, Sam Willaman and Francis Schmidt. The Buckeyes also grew into a national power, building a mammoth concrete stadium on the banks of the Olentangy River in 1922 that many people scoffed at and said was far too big. In time, the Buckeyes filled it and sent those fans home happy.

Zuppke’s teams were 10-5-1 against Ohio State before the tide turned, with the Buckeyes winning 12 of the last 13 against him.

Ohio State dominated the series for the next half-century. Hayes steamrolled the Illini, losing just four times in his 28 seasons. Bruce, a former assistant under Hayes, took over for his mentor in 1979 and won his first four meetings with the Illini — giving the Buckeyes 15 consecutive wins in the series.

Since then, however, it’s almost been a toss-up.

“I wasn’t around those times,” Illinois quarterback Juice Williams said Monday. “It’s a rivalry game for us. ... It’s kind of up in the air why it’s always a good game.”