In between the third and fourth quarters of Saturday’s game against Southern Illinois, the Memorial Stadium crowd took a minute to recognize a record set two decades before.

On Sept. 22, 1990, former Illinois fullback and current Big Ten Network analyst Howard Griffith ran for an NCAA-record eight touchdowns in a game, leading the Illini to a 56-21 win against the Southern Illinois Salukis.

After scoring the first touchdown of the game to put the Illini up 7-0, Griffith watched as the Salukis jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter. From then on, it was all Griffith.

“Had we not been down, I wouldn’t have come close to this,” Griffith said. “I think the circumstances had a lot to do with it.”

The game wasn’t televised, and the only remaining footage of the game is from the coaches’ tape, which the University of Illinois has.

“Unless you were here, you didn’t really have an appreciation for what took place,” Griffith said.

Griffith’s record-breaking day has given him a place in college football’s history books, but for Griffith, the memorable aspect of the game came afterward, when he was able to meet former Illini great Red Grange.

“It afforded me a great opportunity to meet one of the great college football players of all time — if not the greatest,” Griffith said. “If it hadn’t been for that day, I wouldn’t have gotten an opportunity to meet Red Grange.”

The school’s previous all-time record for touchdowns in a game was held by Grange, when he scored six touchdowns against Michigan in 1924.

“That’s what I really cherished the most — meeting the best of the best,” Griffith said.

Griffith said the current Illinois squad is headed in the right direction, but “continues to be a work in progress.”

“It’s a young team,” Griffith said. “Obviously with two new coordinators, you’ll need things to jell.”

Griffith, who went on to win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, said he has been impressed with the play of junior running back Mikel Leshoure.

“He has the potential to be a special back,” Griffith said. “He’ll have a chance to play on Sundays.”

Allen records unlikely 1st reception

An unexpected Illinois player was tied for fourth on the team with one reception against Southern Illinois — junior left tackle Jeff Allen.

A pass from freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase in the third quarter was deflected into the air, only to fall into the hands of a diving Allen.

“We were running a slip screen, and the defensive tackle batted it up, and I saw it floating around,” Allen said. “My first thought was to bat it down, but then it kind of fell in my hands.”

Allen said his teammates have already joked around with him about his pass-catching ability.

“I’m coming here first thing in the morning,” Allen said after Saturday’s game. “I want to see how it looks on tape.”

Allen said the only other catch he has had in a football game was in high school, when he lined up outside the tackle position as a tight end in a goal-line set, hauling in a touchdown reception. He said he doesn’t expect to be brought in as a tight end any time soon.

“It’s up to (offensive coordinator Paul) Petrino, it’s not my call,” Allen said with a smile. “But I can wish.”

Scheelhaase savors home debut

Saturday’s game was Scheelhaase’s first game at Memorial Stadium, which he called “an awesome experience.”

“It was different than any spring game or any scrimmage, or anything like that,” Scheelhaase said. “Having that crowd there, it was great to feel that kind of love. When you make a big play, everyone goes nuts.”

Scheelhaase followed up a four-turnover game last week against Missouri by completing 14 of 18 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“We’re trying to get better every week, and the crowd should do the same,” Scheelhaase said. “They should try and get louder and cause more trouble for the other team each week.”