The News-Gazette · Oct 18, 2015
Illini legends, lists and lore: Oct. 18 in history
Forty years ago Sunday — Oct. 18, 1975 — Fighting Illini placekicker Dan Beaver booted a 9-year-old Big Ten record 57-yard field goal vs. Purdue. Beaver’s kick still stands as Illinois’ record, preceding and outdistancing a 55-yarder by Doug Higgins in 1990 and a 54-yarder by Taylor Zalewski in 2012. Other memorable Illini moments on this date in history:
Oct. 18, 1913: In his first Big Ten game as Illinois’ coach, Bob Zuppke led the Illini past Northwestern 37-0.
Oct. 18, 1919: Ralph Fletcher’s 30-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter helped Illinois top Iowa, 9-7, before a crowd of 6,470 at Illinois Field.