Illinois

The Illini are a part of three trophy rivalries:

Ohio State:  The Illibuck Trophy is the centerpiece of the rivalry between Illinois and Ohio State.  It is a carved wooden turtle – and ten wooden replica Illibucks have been carved, each marked with the scores from games on its back.  The trophy was originally a live turtle when it began in 1925, and it was picked for its expected long life as a symbol of the anticipated long life of the rivalryIt is the second oldest trophy in the Big Ten – The Little Brown Jug is the oldest (created in 1903).

Purdue:  The Purdue Cannon is presented to the winner of the game.  In 1905 a group of Purdue students took a cannon to Champaign in anticipation of firing it in celebration of a Boilermaker victory.  It was discovered in a culvert by Illinois supporters, and they took it before Purdue students could start their celebration.  The cannon was moved to a farmhouse where it survived a fire and gathered dust until it was suggested to use it as a trophy when the rivalry resumed in 1943 after an 11-year lapse.

Northwestern:  The Land of Lincoln Trophy is presented to the winner starting in 2009, replacing the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk – which was used from 1945 until 2008.  The original trophy was a carved wooden “cigar store” Indian, but it was stolen and replaced by a replica of a tomahawk.  The NCAA mandated that all Native American imagery deemed hostile and abusive must be removed from college athletics.  Northwestern is the trophy’s permanent resting place.  The Land of Lincoln Trophy derives its name from the official state nickname and depicts a bronze replica of a stovepipe hat famously worn by Abraham Lincoln.