Approximately 200 fans crowded a landing strip at Willard Airport Saturday night to welcome the Illinois football team home after their victory against top-ranked Ohio State earlier in the day.

The plane, carrying players, trainers, coaches, cheerleaders and other staff arrived from Columbus at 9 p.m. to the sounds of chanting, cheering and music provided by members of the Marching Illini.

Head coach Ron Zook exited the plane first, his arms raised victoriously in the air.

J Leman and Juice Williams followed, leading the rest of the team from the plane as many of them cheered or snapped photos of the crowd.

The team boarded busses and a police escort led them from the airport.