In a way, University of Illinois head coach Lou Tepper should feel special.

After all, the 20th football coach in U of I history will lead a program that has been rich in tradition since 1889 onto the field Saturday night against NIU.

Tepper, a defensive coordinator at the time, took over last December when former head coach John Mackovic decided to accept the job as University of Texas head coach. As a result, Tepper received the position as new head coach and was thrown right into the grinder in his first game against UCLA in the John Hancock Bowl.

The Illini players seemed to adjust well to the coaching change but still could not achieve victory as they fell to the Bruins 6-3.

“I saw it (the John Hancock Bowl) as a comfort to our players as to know what I was like on the sideline,” said Tepper. “It wasn’t an easy experience for us because half the staff was staying with us and half the staff was going. I’m glad we had that experience because at least the players knew what to expect.”

Still, with a career 0-1 record and the loss of some key players due to graduation, Tepper feels his team will be a contender this year. He has 32 returning lettermen and 13 returning starters including All-American candidates Jason Verduzco at quarterback and Dana Howard at linebacker.

“I’m going to be very disappointed if we aren’t a real solid factor in the race,” said Tepper. “There isn’t anyone from whom we’ll back down or with whom we feel we won’t be competitive.”

After only one game as a head coach, you’d think the 1967 Rutgers graduate would be a little nervous about Saturday night’s competition. Instead, he’s anxious to get things underway.

“I’m excited about Saturday’s opener,” said Tepper. “I’m very confident about our chances because of the kind of staff we’ve been able to assemble. The burden of all the decisions that will be made over the course of a game won’t just fall on my shoulders. If the team is well prepared going in, Saturday becomes the easiest day of the week in terms of making decisions. I’m not apprehensive at all about my first home game. I wish we were playing tonight.”

Like any other coach, Tepper wants to see fans and not just the Illini fans.

“I would appeal to the people around the state to really rally around this game. We’re going to have a great evening and great weather. I think both teams will be charged, and it ought to be a great game for the fans and state football.”