Saturday marks Dad's Day at the University of Illinois, a first-of-its-kind tradition that dates back 104 years to Nov. 20, 1920.

Following a Saturday morning group photograph of nearly 2,000 fathers in front of the Union Building, about 2,700 cadets from UI's ROTC marched in uniform in front of their proud papas in a 10:30 a.m. parade that began at the Armory.

Illinois' season-closing game at old Illinois Field against 6-0 Ohio State, the eventual Big Ten champs, was scoreless until the final play of the game. That touchdown came on a 42-yard passing play from Ohio State's Harry Workman to "Truck" Myers. The Daily Illini reported that "over 30,000 eager, enthusiastic Ohio State rooters broke through the fences and swarmed over the field, carrying the Buckeye champions off the gridiron in a triumphant procession."

Coach Bob Zuppke's Illini ended their season with a respectable 5-2 record.

UI students hosted a "mixer" for their dads after the game in the Gym Annex on Springfield Avenue. They were addressed by President David Kinley and several of the college deans.

Bret Bielema's 2024 Illini football team has 16 players who have particularly impressive bloodlines, as their dads were also collegiate athletes. Of the 16, 12 also played college football. Two current Illini players -- Tyler McClure and Cole Rusk -- were preceded by their fathers, Brian and Steve, who lettered in baseball and wrestling, respectively.

Here's a list of the current Illini football players whose fathers also were college athletes:

Zach Barrett: His dad, Matt, played football at St. Ambrose and St. Xavier.Terrance Brooks: His dad, Chet, played football at Texas A&M.Torrie Cox Jr.: His dad, Torrie Cox Sr., played football at Pittsburgh.Grayson Griffin: His dad, Ron, played football at Aurora.Lane Hansen: His dad, Shad, played football at BYU.Demetrius Hill: His dad, Lamont, played football at Iowa State.James and Josh Kreutz: Their dad, Olin, played football at Washington.Patrick Mahoney III: His dad, Patrick Mahoney Jr., played baseball at Central Michigan.Tyler McClure: His dad, Brian, played baseball at Illinois.T.J. McMillen: His dad, Bob, played football at Benedictine.Mason Muragin: His dad, Kalani, played football at Central Michigan.Ronan Poynton: His dad, Jim, played football at Iowa.Cole Rusk: His dad, Steve, wrestled at Illinois.Blayne Sisson: His dad, Steve, played baseball at Kansas.Cal Swanson: His dad, Lance, played football at Oklahoma.Hunter Whitenack: His dad, Bobby, played football at Manchester.

Illini BirthdaysSaturday:Gretchen Dolan, basketball (20)Sunday:Loren Tate, sportswriter (93)Monday:Ashton Hollins, football (21)Tuesday:Craig Tucker, basketball (64)Wednesday:Dean Renn, football (90)Thursday:Mike Levanti, wrestling (74)Friday:Jacob Willis, football (40)