SAVOY – Never mind that the Illini were outmatched 49-17 in the Rose Bowl.

Never mind that the temperature barely made it into double digits Wednesday.

Shirley Maryan of Champaign was going to be at Willard Airport no matter what to welcome the football team back home.

"They're champs to me," she said, while holding a handmade sign that read, "We are proud of you! Go Illini."

"I've been with them through wins and losses. I'm a die-hard Illini fan," she continued. "I hope this gives them the boost they need" for next season.

Maryan and a crowd of about 100 people applauded when coach Ron Zook and the team came into the Flightstar hangar. The message many of them said they wanted to send to the team was "Thanks for a great season."

"Win or lose, they're our team," said Mitzie Fairfield of Foosland.

The Klein family of Savoy was there, too – John, Petrece and kids Tanner, 7, and Kylee, 4. Tanner was wearing his Christmas present, a Juice Williams jersey.

"Even though they lost in the Rose Bowl, they provided the whole area with a tremendous season and great memories," Petrece Klein said.

Ilene Harned, a former resident who moved to Mississippi last February, was back in the area for a retirement party and stayed to watch the Rose Bowl with other Illini fans. She delayed her trip back to Mississippi for a day so she could welcome the team.

Avid Illini fan Shorty Eichelberger was at Flightstar on Wednesday, and she was also there to greet the team after the Ohio State game.

"They need us more now," she said. "We support them, and we're proud of them."

Greg Stunkard of Asheville, N.C. – father of defensive back Cody Stunkard, a Unity graduate – was at the airport to see the seniors on the team one last time. He said he talked to his son before the plane took off and Cody told him they were all disappointed, but "They're all so proud to have gotten as far as they did."

Other fans were looking ahead to next year.

"Coach Zook turned the program around and they're moving forward to where they need to be for next year," said Don Beard of Savoy, who had his children, 12-year-old Taylor and 5-year-old Katelyn, with him.

Several players, including Williams and J Leman, signed autographs and posed for pictures with kids. Williams said seeing the fans at the airport meant a lot.

"We have great fan support," he said. "Seeing the fans, we really appreciate it. We hope to have that next season."

Noah Snyder, 9, of Chicago, got his photo taken with Leman and with Williams, then showed Williams his orange and blue braces.

Leman is Noah's favorite player. So what message does he have for him? "You rock," Noah said.

Nine-year-old Jordan Bachert of Tolono was also at the airport, with dad Randy and 6-year-old brother Evan.

"I would just say, they did good," Jordan said. "Keep on practicing. They can go to the Rose Bowl again and win."