In their sixth year under head coach Mike White, the Illini compiled a 6–5–1 record and finished in third place in the Big Ten Conference.
[1] Illinois was invited to the Peach Bowl, where the Illini lost to Army.
Illinois pulled to within 20–10 on a Chris White field goal early in the fourth quarter, but USC used ball control to grind out the clock – including 22 minutes of possession in the second half – and gain a big road win in the season opener for both teams.
[4][5] [6] [7][8] On November 2, 1985, Illinois played Michigan to a 3–3 tie at Memorial Stadium.
Dieter Heren tipped the ball, which hit the cross-bar and bounced back, and the game ended in a tie.