In the world of college football, few sights are more bizarre and beautiful than a triumphant athlete hoisting a massive wooden turtle above his head. That's exactly what happened this past Saturday when the Ohio State Buckeyes reclaimed one of college football's most unusual rivalry trophies after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini with a decisive 34-16 victory.
The celebration centered around the Illibuck Trophy—a distinctive wooden turtle that serves as the prize in this historic Big Ten rivalry. Among the players reveling in the win, freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith stood out as he proudly handled the unique award. But here's where this tradition gets interesting: this wasn't just any victory celebration. The 2025 matchup marked the 100-year anniversary of one of college football's most peculiar trophy traditions, making the reclaiming of Illibuck particularly meaningful for the Buckeye program.
Now, you might be wondering why a wooden turtle became the symbol of this rivalry. And this is the part most people miss about trophy traditions—they often have strange origins that get lost over time. The Illibuck tradition actually began in 1924 with a live turtle that was passed back and forth between the universities. The current wooden version emerged after the original, living mascot unfortunately passed away, transforming into the carved trophy we see today.
Following the game, the celebration became a shared experience among the team. Smith made certain multiple teammates had their moment with the coveted trophy. Defensive lineman Kayden McDonald provided one of the most memorable quotes of the day, comparing the experience to "the Simba moment from The Lion King" when he held the trophy aloft. Meanwhile, cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. received the honor of carrying Illibuck into the locker room as the team celebrated their hard-fought victory.
Head coach Ryan Day's emotional reaction highlighted just how much this particular win meant to the program. In a moment captured on video, Day emphatically raised the turtle replica overhead while letting out a triumphant yell that echoed through the stadium. Controversially, some critics might question whether celebrating a wooden turtle with such passion has become outdated in modern college football. But those who understand tradition would argue that these unique rituals are what make college football special compared to professional sports.
The victory improved Ohio State's record to a perfect 6-0 for the season and extended their historical advantage over Illinois to 69-30-4 in the Illibuck rivalry series. What many fans might not realize is that this game represented the first opportunity for the schools to celebrate the 100-year milestone in person, since they hadn't met on the football field since 2017, when Ohio State won handily with a 52-14 score.
So what do you think: Are these unusual trophy traditions an essential part of college football's charm, or have they become mere relics in an increasingly commercialized sport? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we're curious whether you believe traditions like the Illibuck Trophy still matter in today's game.
