CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Saturday was Illinois football’s Homecoming Game, but it was far from a normal Homecoming Weekend. This year, Big Noon Kickoff and REO Speedwagon were creating a buzz around campus.

“I think it’s great to see there’s such excitement and a real buzz around the tailgate lots and around Illini nation in general,” Illinois graduate Eric Ortinau said. “I’ve been an REO fan since the ‘70s, since I was a teenager.”

The sounds of the band took over Gies Memorial Stadium at halftime, and Illini fans couldn’t fight the feeling of excitement any more.

“How classic is that,” Illinois fan Robert Noll said. “Graduates of Illinois coming home, performing at a huge game, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

He said a sense of community and passing down traditions to future Illini is what Homecoming is all about.

“I’ve been coming here since I was four years old and I’ve got a five year old son now,” Noll said. “I hope he remembers this just like I did, so just continuing the tradition and memories.”