Illinois vs Ohio StateIllibuck
A wooden turtle, and before that a live one: the Big Ten's second-oldest trophy, played for by Illinois and Ohio State.
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Illinois and Ohio State are not on each other's schedule right now. The trophy stays with Ohio State until they meet again.
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Start a pick'em contestHow the Illibuck came to be
Two junior honorary societies started the tradition: Bucket and Dipper at Ohio State and Atius-Sachem at Illinois. Those societies still look after the trophy.
When the tradition began in the mid-1920s, the prize was a live turtle, picked because turtles live a long time and the societies hoped the rivalry would too.
The live Illibuck ended up in Illinois's care and died on April 14, 1926.
The societies replaced it with a carved wooden turtle. As each replica filled up with scores, a new one was carved, and there have been ten wooden Illibucks.
It is the second-oldest trophy passed between Big Ten football programs, after the Little Brown Jug from 1903.
The trophy itself. A carved wooden turtle. The original Illibuck was a live turtle, and after it died in 1926 it was replaced by a series of wooden replicas (ten so far) with game scores carved on their backs.
Illibuck history
- 1902
First meeting: a 0-0 tie in Columbus on November 15.
- 1925
Traditional start date of the Illibuck, with a live turtle as the prize.
- 1926
The live turtle dies on April 14; wooden replicas take over.
- 2005
After a two-year break in the series (2003-04), Illinois hands over the trophy for Ohio State's 2002 win.
- 2010
Ohio State wins 24-13 in Champaign, but the win is later vacated for use of ineligible players.
- 2017
Ohio State wins 52-14. The teams do not meet again for seven seasons (2018-2024).
- 2025
No. 1 Ohio State wins 34-16 in Champaign on October 11 in the first meeting since 2017.
- 2026
Ohio State wins 42-19 in Columbus on September 26 behind Jeremiah Smith's four touchdown catches, for its 10th straight win in the Illibuck series (not counting the vacated 2010 game).
Recent results
| Season | Result | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ohio State Buckeyes 42, Illinois Fighting Illini 19 | Ohio Stadium |
| 2025 | Ohio State Buckeyes 34, Illinois Fighting Illini 16 | Gies Memorial Stadium |
Illibuck facts worth knowing
The first Illibuck was a real, live turtle, chosen because turtles live a long time. It died on April 14, 1926.
Since then the trophy has been a series of carved wooden turtles, ten so far, each with game scores on its shell.
It is the second-oldest traveling trophy in the Big Ten, behind only the Little Brown Jug.
The trophy belongs to two student honor societies, Ohio State's Bucket and Dipper and Illinois's Atius-Sachem, not to either athletic department.
After the Big Ten's 2014 division split, the teams went seven straight seasons (2018-2024) without playing for the Illibuck.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Illibuck?+
The Illibuck is the trophy Illinois and Ohio State play for in college football, first awarded in 1925. A carved wooden turtle. The original Illibuck was a live turtle, and after it died in 1926 it was replaced by a series of wooden replicas (ten so far) with game scores carved on their backs.
How did the Illibuck come to be?+
Two junior honorary societies started the tradition: Bucket and Dipper at Ohio State and Atius-Sachem at Illinois. Those societies still look after the trophy.
Who has the Illibuck right now?+
Ohio State holds the Illibuck after winning the 2026 game, Ohio State 42, Illinois 19. The live block on this page updates as soon as the next meeting is played.
Who leads the Illinois-Ohio State series?+
Ohio State leads the all-time series 70-30-4 as of the 2026 game. In games played for the Illibuck since 1925, Ohio State leads 66-23-2. Excludes Ohio State's vacated 2010 win.
When is the next Illibuck game?+
No Illinois-Ohio State game is on ESPN's schedule right now. Conference schedules rotate, so check back as the next season's slate is released.
Where can I bet on the Illibuck game?+
You can bet Illinois vs Ohio State on BettorEdge, a peer-to-peer marketplace where you trade with other bettors rather than a sportsbook, so the price carries no built-in house vig. You can also run a free pick'em contest for the game with your group.
More college football
Records and the current holder are as of the 2026 game; the next-game block and recent results update from ESPN. Excludes Ohio State's vacated 2010 win.Sources: en.wikipedia.org, abc6onyourside.com, elevenwarriors.com, elevenwarriors.com.
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