Illinois football tickets started garnering more interest on Dec. 7, 2004, the day new head coach Ron Zook was hired. Known for his enthusiasm and passion for the game, Zook's fire has Fighting Illini fans fighting for a chance to get their hands on 2005 University of Illinois football tickets.

Just three years ago, the Illini were battling for the Big 10 Championship and had its fans standing in line for Nokia Sugar Bowl tickets. But losing an unthinkable 20 games in the last two years cost head coach Ron Turner his job and took some of the wind out the Illini faithful who were considering buying Illinois football tickets. That all changed with Zook's arrival.

With 27 years of coaching experience, Zook has seen success of all levels of football. He spent the last three seasons punching the Florida Gators' tickets to three bowl games. Illinois ticket holders are hoping he can do the same in Champagne. In the 2003 NCAA college football season, Zook led the Gators to a share of the SEC East Division title. He also had a knack for knocking off ranked opponents on the road, including eventual BCS National Champion, the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge in 2003. In his first season as Head Gator, Zook took care of two top-five teams in Tennessee and Georgia. Illini fans are scrambling for 2005 Illinois football tickets to see if their new head coach can continue his success in the rugged Big 10.

Memorial Stadium will play host to a plethora of big-time NCAA college football match-ups in 2005. Illinois football tickets are sure to be scare around Champagne when the Big East's Rutgers Scarlett Knights visit for the Sept. 3 season opener. Two weeks later, Illini fans will be searching for California Bears football tickets, as Illinois heads west to do battle with Jeff Tedford's PAC 10 power. Then, it's off to a brutal Big 10 schedule that features games on the road against the Iowa Hawkeyes, Ohio State Buckeyes and at Purdue.

It's no easy slate for sure, but Zook's used to the playing against and beating the best. That's the kind of attitude that has Illinois football tickets generating interest once again. So hurry up and grab your Illinois football tickets soon to see Coach Zook put the fight back in the Fighting Illini.