For years, two of the most storied names in University of Illinois football history have been recognized, and yet hidden from view within the confines of Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

One is Bob Zuppke. The other is Harold "Red" Grange.

Any accurate retelling of how college football dug its cleats into the fabric of American society is incomplete without the names of Zuppke and Grange.

Robert Zuppke became Illinois head football coach in 1913 and remained in that role for 29 years, the longest tenure of any Illini head coach. Not only did he win four national titles (1914, 1919, 1923 and 1927), Zuppke was a keen visionary who is credited with inventing the huddle, the flea-flicker and spring practice.

Zuppke also recruited Grange, a three-time consensus All-American halfback from 1923-25. Grange is remembered for a stellar performance against Michigan in 1924 in the Memorial Stadium dedication game, in which he scored four touchdowns in the first 12 minutes and later ran for a fifth and threw for a sixth.

These are names Illinois should trumpet proudly and, beginning this season, they finally will.

The increased profile for Zuppke and Grange are the direct result of the Memorial Stadium renovation project. Although the major portion of the renovation will not be completed until next season, fans attending Saturday night's home opener against Western Illinois will see a difference due to completion of the north end zone project.

Rather than a few rows of shabby-looking temporary bleachers, a handsome concrete structure with permanent seating for 5,000 student fans has been built at the edge of the north end zone. This drastically changes the stadium's appearance and, it is believed, will change the sound of the stadium by enclosing it and bringing more fans closer to the field.

Until now, the playing surface has been called "Zuppke Field," but that designation was inscribed in block letters on the wall at the field's far north end. That was mostly concealed by the temporary bleachers.

Now, however, that north wall has been moved 100 feet to the south and the "Zuppke Field" designation has taken center stage as the front portion of that new north end zone structure.

In 1994, 70 years after Grange made history by shredding Michigan's defense, a block of limestone was delivered to Memorial Stadium, donated by the same Indiana quarry that provided the limestone used throughout the original stadium construction.

The rock, dubbed the "Grange Rock," was placed in the far northeast corner of the stadium and it, too, was relegated to obscurity.

Now, the "Grange Rock" has been moved to the east edge of the "Zuppke Field" wall, and it rests near the end of the tunnel from which the Illini football team emerges when it makes its way onto the field.

So beginning Saturday night, a new tradition will begin as players plan to "touch the rock" as a gesture of good luck on their way to the field.

Players and coaches alike are excited and fans might be, too, especially since the loss of Chief Illiniwek leaves most fans wanting for something - anything - to even partially fill the void of tradition.

"We've definitely talked about it," Illini receiver Kyle Hudson of Mattoon said this week. "When we had our walk-through before the Missouri game, coach Zook talked about that. It's something a lot of players are excited about, to leave from the rock. It's a piece of history, and a lot of players are looking forward to it."

At halftime of the Illinois-Missouri game Saturday, the Marching Illini performed and played the traditional "3-in-1" music that used to accompany the appearance of Chief Illiniwek. But since the Chief was retired last winter, the music played without the drama of its lone dancer.

Fans stood. Some placed their arms across their chests. Others placed arms around the shoulders of those standing near them and swayed while the band played.

But nowhere was Chief Illiniwek.

Don't pretend for a minute that touching a chunk of limestone will replace the 80-year tradition of Chief Illiniwek. But it's a likeable idea for the team to make contact with its past. When people like Bob Zuppke and Red Grange were a part of that past, reaching out to them can't hurt.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mark.tupper@lee.net