October 18, 1924 – Urbana, Illinois – Harold “Red” Grange, also known as the “Galloping Ghost,” may have played his best collegiate football game on this day.
According to a New York Times archive article from the Associated Press, the Grange, in front of 67,000 fans packed into the new Illinois Memorial Stadium, witnessed the Ghost and his Illinois teammates take apart their rival Michigan University. Red Grange, the University of Illinois phenomenon and All-America halfback, was the star attraction, and his play did not disappoint the onlookers. Grange displayed a remarkable exhibition of running and passing in the game, setting this college game as the measuring stick for truly great individual performances on the gridiron for years to come.
The Ghost galloped hard that afternoon as he scored five of Illinois’ six touchdowns, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind on how hard it was to defend against him. It started on the opening kickoff as Grange scooped up the ball on the Illinois five-yard line and raced 95 yards through the Michigan eleven for a touchdown in less than ten seconds into the contest! Before the Michigan team could catch its breath and collect itself, Red Grange had struck paydirt multiple more times in rapid succession with runs of 66, 55, and 40 yards, respectively, for his following three scores. Coach Bob Zuppke took him out of the line-up before the first quarter ended. He returned later to launch several successful passes and score a fifth touchdown in the second half. The final score had the Illini with 39 points and the Wolverines with 14. Red was the first collegiate star to turn pro, signing with the Chicago Bears in 1925, and he became the face of the pro game, eventually making a name not only for himself but for a young National Football League.
Can’t get enough Galloping Ghost Gridiron history? Check out our book by Chris Willis on the 100th Anniversary of the famous Bears’ Barnstorming Tour of Grange.
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