Illinois selects Justin Harrison as honorary captain against Wisconsin.

Illinois selects Justin Harrison as honorary captain for homecoming.

When Illinois takes the field Saturday afternoon, former safety Justin Harrison will be the honorary captain for the game:

Honorary Captain: Justin Harrison
Had a career stat line of 284 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions
Ranks 7th in Illinois’ record book for career forced fumbles
Tallied a 45-yard interception return against USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/XnQnZnt6aY

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 20, 2023

Harrison played for the Illini from 2004-2007 and was a 2008 Rose Bowl team member. Harrison started 37 games for the Fighting Illini from 2004-07, totaling 284 tackles, six forced fumbles, and four interceptions. The Bloomington, Illinois, native still ranks seventh in Illinois’ record book for career-forced fumbles with six. Harrison helped lead the Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl game, where he had four tackles and a 45-yard interception return against USC in Pasadena.

Harrison has stayed around campus, living in the Champaign-Urbana area, and has played a pivotal role in the resurgence of youth football in Central Illinois. He and fellow former Illini players Ryan Craig and Justin Rouse serve on the Central Illinois Youth Football League. Harrison and Craig serve on the board, while Rouse coaches.

“We want this to be something that players from first grade through eighth grade and continuing to go into high school,” Harrison said, “being proud of what they’re doing on the football field.”

On the field, this is a pivotal game for the Illini. They went on the road and upset a heavily favored Maryland team on a last-second field goal by Caleb Griffin. Last Saturday’s game could have the same effect on the Illini as their 2019 upset of #6 Wisconsin. Illinois was 2-4 and upset the Badgers on a last-second field goal. That win was the first of four consecutive victories, leading to a Red Box Bowl appearance.

Conversely, the Badgers lost to #24 Iowa in an ugly game at home. While the Illini look to keep their postseason hopes alive, the Badgers come to Champaign looking for redemption after a loss. Illinois won last season’s game 34-10 in Madison.