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Former Illinois WR Mike Dudek fired up after beating Wisconsin: ‘This means everything’
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The biggest win of the Lovie Smith era, the Illinois Fighting Illini upset the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers, 24-23, on October 19 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
Basking in the aftermath of the victory, former Illinois wide receiver Mike Dudek thinks big things are ahead for the program.
Via Illini Inquirer reporter Isaac Trotter:
#Illini legend Mike Dudek: “This means everything. This is what we needed. Illinois is back.” pic.twitter.com/foXxopXkwa
— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) October 19, 2019
Appearing in 21 games for the Illini over the 2014 and 2017-18 seasons, Dudek caught 104 passes for 1,365 yards and seven touchdowns.
After bursting onto the scene with 76 grabs for 1,038 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman, his career was, unfortunately, littered with knee injuries. He last appeared in a game on September 1, 2018, a victory over Kent State.
Looking to get back to .500, Illinois (3-4) will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana to battle Purdue (2-5) on Saturday.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.