CHAMPAIGN — The band didn't play the "war chant" during Saturday's season-opening win at Memorial Stadium. But according to members of Illini Pride, plenty of students continued the tradition of clapping their hands over their heads when Ball State's offense was facing third down.
"People doing the 'war chant' on third down was probably more consistent on Saturday than it was last year all season," said Lauren Mroz, a UI senior and president of Illini Pride, the student-led organization that governs all UI student-support sections, including the Block I for football. The "majority were just clapping their hands, but there were definitely people making the sounds.