The 1951 squad posted a near-perfect 9-0-1 record on the season, grabbing a share of the national title. The team started off the season with seven straight wins, beating 20th-ranked Washington and No. 15 Michigan along the way. The Illini suffered its only non-win of the year against Ohio State when neither team managed to score in a 0-0 tie. Illinois capped the season with a 40-7 romping of Stanford in the 1952 Rose Bowl. Consensus All-American Johnny Karras led the team in rushing and Hall of Famer Al Brosky was a star in the defensive secondary.