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It was a big game whenever Red Grange walked into the Horseshoe. But this Saturday in November of 1925 would be different; it would be Grange’s last in a collegiate uniform. Neither team was spectacular — Illinois and Ohio State were not in contention for a conference title. And while the Galloping Ghost was en-route to another All-American year at halfback, the Illini entered the contest with a ho-hum 4-3 record. Ohio State sat at 4-2-1.
But the greater legacy of that day wouldn’t be the performance of Grange, who snagged two interceptions — including on the last play at midfield to seal the game. It wouldn't be that the Illini triumphed 14-9. It wouldn’t be the huge crowd of 84,295 that jammed The ‘Shoe to see the last go of the Ghost on senior day. It would be a turtle who made its first-ever appearance.
That turtle, alive at the time, was Illibuck. And that season, in Grange's last collegiate game, was the first time the victor of OSU-Illinois received the prize. Chosen to represent the long life of the rivalry, Illibuck died two years later. And with Grange graduated, the competitiveness of the rivalry soon suffered the same fate.
Including pre-trophy era games, Ohio State has dominated the all-time series with Illinois with a mark of 67 wins, 30 losses, and four ties. To put that in perspective, in the Big Ten there are 15 rivalry trophies — and comparing the all-time series histories, Ohio State-Illinois is the third most lopsided among them.
All-Time Series History - Big Ten Rivalry Trophy Games
| Teams | Trophy | First Year of Series | All-Time Series History (Win, Loss, Tie) | Winning % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | Trophy | First Year of Series | All-Time Series History (Win, Loss, Tie) | Winning % |
| Michigan vs. Minnesota | Little Brown Jug | 1892 | Michigan leads 75, 25, 3 | 74% |
| Indiana vs. Michigan State | Old Brass Spittoon | 1922 | Michigan State leads, 46, 16, 2 | 73% |
| Illinois vs. Ohio State | Illibuck | 1902 | Ohio State leads, 67, 30, 4 | 68% |
| Nebraska vs. Wisconsin | Freedom Trophy | 1901 | Wisconsin leads, 8, 4 | 66% |
| Iowa vs. Nebraska | Heroes Trophy | 1891 | Nebraska leads, 29, 15, 3 | 65% |
| Michigan vs. Michigan State | Paul Bunyan Trophy | 1898 | Michigan leads, 69, 36, 5 | 65% |
| Minnesota vs. Penn State | Governor's Victory Bell | 1993 | Penn State leads, 9, 5 | 64% |
| Indiana vs. Purdue | Old Oaken Bucket | 1891 | Purdue leads, 72, 41, 6 | 63% |
| Iowa vs. Minnesota | Floyd of Rosedale | 1891 | Minnesota leads, 62, 47, 2 | 57% |
| Minnesota vs. Nebraska | $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy | 1900 | Minnesota leads, 32, 24, 2 | 57% |
| Illinois vs. Northwestern | Land of Lincoln Trophy | 1892 | Illinois leads, 55, 50, 5 | 52% |
| Iowa vs. Wisconsin | Heartland Trophy | 1894 | Wisconsin leads, 46, 43, 2 | 52% |
| Michigan State vs. Penn State | Land Grant Trophy | 1914 | Michigan State leads, 16, 15, 1 | 52% |
| Illinois vs. Purdue | Purdue Cannon | 1890 | Illinois leads, 44, 43, 6 | 50% |
| Minnesota vs. Wisconsin | Paul Bunyan's Axe | 1890 | Series tied, 59, 59, 8 | 50% |
With the Buckeyes winning 68% of the time against Illinois, only the Little Brown Jug between Michigan and Minnesota, and the Old Brass Spittoon between Indiana and Michigan State have been more one-sided.
Ohio State has not lost to Illinois since 2007. With the Buckeyes favored by more than 40 points Saturday, the series is set again to live up to form with Illibuck remaining a long-time resident of Columbus.