Northwestern vs. Illinois

Saturday, November 28, 2015. Northwestern took the Land of Lincoln Trophy from Illinois

No. 17 Northwestern beat Illinois 24–⁠14. It was their 109th meeting; after it, Illinois led the series 55–⁠49–⁠5.

Neutral site17Northwestern10–⁠3 in 2015
24
Neutral siteIllinois5–⁠7 in 2015
14

Final at Soldier Field, ChicagoTV: ESPNUAttendance 33,514

At kickoff
38°F, mostly cloudy, wind 15 mph from the northWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW), 14 km from the stadium, 23 minutes after kickoff
Officials
Referee Dan Capron; umpire Mike Pilarski; head linesman Jim Ryan; line judge Brian Bolinger; side judge Don Swanson; field judge Alphonse Terry; back judge Scott Buchanan; center judge Steven ThielenGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northwestern1470324
Illinois707014

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Northwestern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Clayton Thorson12/2514611
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Justin Jackson37172127
Warren Long525118
Clayton Thorson6709
Jelani Roberts1606
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Austin Carr361048
Miles Shuler239039
Danny Vitale332119
Garrett Kidd1909
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Matthew Harris100

Illinois

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Wes Lunt20/4124101
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Ke’Shawn Vaughn1262016
Josh Ferguson1440013
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Josh Ferguson7100034
Desmond Cain452023
Malik Turner346024
Geronimo Allison542014
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Mason Monheim1581

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

NorthwesternIllinois
350Total yards319
146Passing yards241
204Rushing yards78
5.8Yards per pass5.9
3.8Yards per rush2.5
18First downs16
6–⁠19Third downs6–⁠18
0–⁠0Fourth downs1–⁠2
2Turnovers1
1–⁠10Penalties5–⁠55
33:26Possession26:34

Efficiency

NorthwesternIllinois
45%Success rate27%
−0.07EPA per play−0.09
1.05Explosiveness1.53
0.02Rushing EPA−0.12
−0.30Passing EPA−0.08
35%Passing-down success21%
−0.07First-down EPA−0.20
0.20Second-down EPA−0.02
−0.50Third-down EPA0.08
1%Havoc by its defense1%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Northwestern 70% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Northwestern −3.5, over/under 42.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Northwestern 59%, Illinois 41%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Illinois end zoneNorthwestern end zoneQ1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ1 IllinoisTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 5 playsQ1 IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 playsQ2 IllinoisPunt, 6 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ2 IllinoisMissed FG, 6 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ2 IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ2 NorthwesternPunt, 6 playsQ2 IllinoisEnd of half, 9 playsQ3 IllinoisPunt, 4 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ3 IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 playsQ3 IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ3 NorthwesternFumble, 7 playsQ3 IllinoisTurnover on downs, 5 playsQ3 NorthwesternPick-six, 4 plays (Illinois scores)Q3 NorthwesternField goal, 10 playsQ4 IllinoisInterception, 7 playsQ4 NorthwesternPunt, 6 playsQ4 IllinoisMissed FG, 8 playsQ4 NorthwesternPunt, 7 playsQ4 IllinoisEnd of game, 2 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Illinois drives left to right, Northwestern right to left.
  1. Q1 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  2. Q1 IllinoisTouchdown, 12 plays, 47 yards
  3. Q1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 5 plays, 76 yards
  4. Q1 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  5. Q1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 12 plays, 57 yards
  6. Q1 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  7. Q1 NorthwesternTouchdown, 8 plays, 75 yards
  8. Q2 IllinoisPunt, 6 plays, 27 yards
  9. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
  10. Q2 IllinoisMissed FG, 6 plays, 18 yards
  11. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  12. Q2 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  13. Q2 NorthwesternPunt, 6 plays, 14 yards
  14. Q2 IllinoisEnd of half, 9 plays, 29 yards
  15. Q3 IllinoisPunt, 4 plays, 24 yards
  16. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  17. Q3 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
  18. Q3 NorthwesternPunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  19. Q3 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  20. Q3 NorthwesternFumble, 7 plays, 25 yards
  21. Q3 IllinoisTurnover on downs, 5 plays, 13 yards
  22. Q3 NorthwesternPick-six, 4 plays (Illinois scores), 22 yards
  23. Q3 NorthwesternField goal, 10 plays, 46 yards
  24. Q4 IllinoisInterception, 7 plays, 50 yards
  25. Q4 NorthwesternPunt, 6 plays, 12 yards
  26. Q4 IllinoisMissed FG, 8 plays, 51 yards
  27. Q4 NorthwesternPunt, 7 plays, 33 yards
  28. Q4 IllinoisEnd of game, 2 plays, 32 yards

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Northwestern 14, Illinois 7
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Taylor Zalewski kickoff for 63 yds , Solomon Vault return for 15 yds to the Nwest 17
14:351st & 10 at own 17Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 19
14:052nd & 8 at own 19Clayton Thorson pass complete to Dan Vitale for 6 yds to the Nwest 25
13:533rd & 2 at own 25Clayton Thorson run for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 24
13:304th & 3 at own 24Hunter Niswander punt for 23 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Nwest 47
Illinois Touchdown, 12 plays
13:001st & 10 at opp 47Josh Ferguson run for a loss of 1 yard to the Nwest 48
12:522nd & 11 at opp 48Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Andrew Davis
12:453rd & 11 at opp 48Wes Lunt pass complete to Malik Turner for 10 yds to the Nwest 38
12:134th & 1 at opp 38Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 1 yd to the Nwest 37 for a 1ST down
11:401st & 10 at opp 37Wes Lunt pass complete to Josh Ferguson for 1 yd to the Nwest 36
11:272nd & 9 at opp 36Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Geronimo Allison
11:203rd & 9 at opp 36Wes Lunt pass complete to Malik Turner for 12 yds to the Nwest 24 for a 1ST down
10:451st & 10 at opp 24Josh Ferguson run for 4 yds to the Nwest 20
10:052nd & 6 at opp 20Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 3 yds to the Nwest 17
9:201st & goal at opp 1Josh Ferguson run for no gain to the Nwest 1
8:592nd & goal at opp 1Wes Lunt run for 1 yd for a TD, (Taylor Zalewski KICK)Illinois 7, Northwestern 0
Northwestern Touchdown, 5 plays
8:592nd & 10 at own 35Taylor Zalewski kickoff for 54 yds , Solomon Vault return for 13 yds to the Nwest 24
8:291st & 10 at own 24Justin Jackson run for 5 yds to the Nwest 29
8:002nd & 5 at own 29Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 48 yds to the Illin 23 for a 1ST down
7:381st & 10 at opp 23Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Illin 20
7:112nd & 7 at opp 20Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Illin 19
6:353rd & 6 at opp 19Clayton Thorson pass complete to Dan Vitale for 19 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Tied at 7
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
6:353rd & 6 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds , V’Angelo Bentley return for 20 yds to the Illin 20
6:221st & 10 at own 20Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Geronimo Allison
6:002nd & 10 at own 20Josh Ferguson run for 4 yds to the Illin 24
5:383rd & 6 at own 24Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Malik Turner
5:304th & 6 at own 24Ryan Frain punt for 33 yds, fair catch by Miles Shuler at the Nwest 43
Northwestern Touchdown, 12 plays
5:131st & 10 at own 43Warren Long run for no gain to the Nwest 43
4:542nd & 10 at own 43Clayton Thorson run for 9 yds to the Illin 48
4:353rd & 1 at opp 48Warren Long run for 1 yd to the Illin 47 for a 1ST down
4:001st & 10 at opp 47Solomon Vault run for a loss of 1 yard to the Illin 48
3:432nd & 11 at opp 48Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Dan Vitale
3:353rd & 11 at opp 48Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Dan Vitale
3:304th & 11 at opp 48ILLINOIS Penalty, Personal Foul (Caleb Day) to the Illin 33 for a 1ST down
3:001st & 10 at opp 33Justin Jackson run for 8 yds to the Illin 25
2:552nd & 2 at opp 25Justin Jackson run for 4 yds to the Illin 21 for a 1ST down
2:381st & 10 at opp 21Justin Jackson run for 8 yds to the Illin 13
2:002nd & 2 at opp 13Clayton Thorson pass complete to Stephen Buckley for 7 yds to the Illin 6 for a 1ST down
1:381st & goal at opp 6Warren Long run for 3 yds to the Illin 3
1:212nd & goal at opp 3Warren Long run for 3 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Northwestern 14, Illinois 7
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
1:212nd & 7 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:131st & 10 at own 25Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Geronimo Allison
1:082nd & 10 at own 25Wes Lunt pass complete to Geronimo Allison for 4 yds to the Illin 29
0:203rd & 6 at own 29Wes Lunt pass complete to Josh Ferguson for 3 yds to the Illin 32
0:004th & 3 at own 32Ryan Frain punt for 43 yds, fair catch by Miles Shuler at the Nwest 25
2nd quarter8 drives, then Northwestern 21, Illinois 7
Northwestern Touchdown, 8 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 25Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 26 for a 1ST down ILLINOIS Penalty, Face Mask (15 yards) (Eric Finney) to the Nwest 41 for a 1ST down
14:301st & 10 at own 41Solomon Vault run for a loss of 4 yards to the Nwest 37
14:002nd & 14 at own 37Clayton Thorson pass complete to Miles Shuler for 39 yds to the Illin 24 for a 1ST down
13:421st & 10 at opp 24Clayton Thorson run for 1 yd to the Illin 23
13:102nd & 9 at opp 23Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the Illin 17
12:433rd & 3 at opp 17Clayton Thorson pass complete to Garrett Kidd for 9 yds to the Illin 8 for a 1ST down
12:091st & goal at opp 8Justin Jackson run for 5 yds to the Illin 3
11:412nd & goal at opp 3Justin Jackson run for 3 yds for a TD, (Jack Mitchell KICK)Northwestern 21, Illinois 7
Illinois Punt, 6 plays
11:412nd & 5 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 64 yds , V’Angelo Bentley return for 27 yds to the Illin 28
11:151st & 10 at own 28Wes Lunt pass complete to Desmond Cain for 15 yds to the Illin 43 for a 1ST down
11:071st & 10 at own 43Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Josh Ferguson
10:492nd & 10 at own 43Wes Lunt pass complete to Geronimo Allison for 11 yds to the Nwest 46 for a 1ST down
10:201st & 10 at opp 46Josh Ferguson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 45
9:522nd & 9 at opp 45Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Malik Turner
9:463rd & 9 at opp 45Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Geronimo Allison
9:364th & 9 at opp 45Ryan Frain punt for 27 yds, downed at the Nwest 18
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
9:311st & 10 at own 18Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Austin Carr
9:152nd & 10 at own 18Justin Jackson run for 4 yds to the Nwest 22
8:283rd & 6 at own 22Clayton Thorson sacked by Mason Monheim for a loss of 7 yards to the Nwest 15
8:124th & 13 at own 15Hunter Niswander punt for 33 yds, downed at the Nwest 48
Illinois Missed FG, 6 plays
8:001st & 10 at opp 48Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 6 yds to the Nwest 42
7:302nd & 4 at opp 42Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 7 yds to the Nwest 35 for a 1ST down
7:001st & 10 at opp 35Josh Ferguson run for no gain to the Nwest 35
6:572nd & 10 at opp 35ILLINOIS Penalty, False Start (Austin Schmidt) to the Nwest 40
6:342nd & 15 at opp 40Wes Lunt pass complete to Geronimo Allison for 10 yds to the Nwest 30
6:013rd & 5 at opp 30Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Geronimo Allison
5:564th & 5 at opp 30Taylor Zalewski 48 yd FG MISSED
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
5:481st & 10 at own 30Jelani Roberts run for 6 yds to the Nwest 36
5:192nd & 4 at own 36Solomon Vault run for 2 yds to the Nwest 38
4:593rd & 2 at own 38Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Garrett Dickerson
4:514th & 2 at own 38Hunter Niswander punt for 40 yds, fair catch by V’Angelo Bentley at the Illin 22
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
4:301st & 10 at own 22Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 2 yds to the Illin 24
4:002nd & 8 at own 24Wes Lunt pass complete to Ke’Shawn Vaughn for 1 yd to the Illin 25
3:293rd & 7 at own 25Timeout ILLINOIS, clock 03:29
3:243rd & 7 at own 25Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Desmond Cain
3:154th & 7 at own 25Ryan Frain punt for 35 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Nwest 40
Northwestern Punt, 6 plays
2:551st & 10 at own 40Justin Jackson run for 9 yds to the Nwest 49
2:442nd & 1 at own 49Justin Jackson run for no gain to the Nwest 49
2:123rd & 1 at own 49Clayton Thorson pass complete to Dan Vitale for 7 yds to the Illin 44 for a 1ST down
2:091st & 10 at opp 44Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Pierre Youngblood-Ary
1:402nd & 10 at opp 44Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for a loss of 2 yards to the Illin 46
1:323rd & 12 at opp 46Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 01:32
1:233rd & 12 at opp 46Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Quinn Baker
1:164th & 12 at opp 46Hunter Niswander punt for 32 yds, fair catch by V’Angelo Bentley at the Illin 14
Illinois End of half, 9 plays
1:121st & 10 at own 14Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Josh Ferguson
1:092nd & 10 at own 14Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Malik Turner
1:003rd & 10 at own 14Josh Ferguson run for 13 yds to the Illin 27 for a 1ST down
0:461st & 10 at own 27Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Geronimo Allison
0:292nd & 10 at own 27Josh Ferguson run for 4 yds to the Illin 31
0:193rd & 6 at own 31Josh Ferguson run for 11 yds to the Illin 42 for a 1ST down
0:181st & 10 at own 42Timeout ILLINOIS, clock 00:18
0:131st & 10 at own 42Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Ke’Shawn Vaughn
0:052nd & 10 at own 42Wes Lunt pass complete to Josh Ferguson for 10 yds to the Nwest 48 for a 1ST down
0:051st & 10 at opp 48Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 00:05
0:001st & 10 at opp 48Wes Lunt sacked by Ifeadi Odenigbo for a loss of 9 yards to the Illin 43
3rd quarter9 drives, then Northwestern 21, Illinois 14
Illinois Punt, 4 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 63 yds , V’Angelo Bentley return for 21 yds to the Illin 23
14:221st & 10 at own 23Wes Lunt pass complete to Josh Ferguson for 20 yds to the Illin 43 for a 1ST down
14:001st & 10 at own 43Josh Ferguson run for 1 yd to the Illin 44
13:302nd & 9 at own 44Josh Ferguson run for 3 yds to the Illin 47
13:123rd & 6 at own 47Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Geronimo Allison
13:024th & 6 at own 47Ryan Frain punt for 53 yds for a touchback
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
12:351st & 10 at own 20Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 23
12:102nd & 7 at own 23Justin Jackson run for 5 yds to the Nwest 28
11:583rd & 2 at own 28Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Mike McHugh
11:444th & 2 at own 28Hunter Niswander punt for 43 yds, downed at the Illin 29
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
11:341st & 10 at own 29Josh Ferguson run for 4 yds to the Illin 33
10:442nd & 6 at own 33Josh Ferguson run for a loss of 1 yard to the Illin 32
9:553rd & 7 at own 32Wes Lunt sacked by Anthony Walker for a loss of 6 yards to the Illin 26
9:304th & 13 at own 26Ryan Frain punt for 62 yds, downed at the Nwest 12
Northwestern Punt, 3 plays
9:081st & 10 at own 12Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 14
8:552nd & 8 at own 14Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the Nwest 20
8:293rd & 2 at own 20Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Dan Vitale
8:184th & 2 at own 20Hunter Niswander punt for 46 yds , V’Angelo Bentley returns for 2 yds to the Illin 36
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
8:001st & 10 at own 36Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 8 yds to the Illin 44
7:302nd & 2 at own 44TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the Illin 43 TEAM fumbled, recovered by Illin Wes Lunt
7:003rd & 3 at own 43Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Ke’Shawn Vaughn
6:474th & 3 at own 43Ryan Frain punt for 34 yds, downed at the Nwest 23
Northwestern Fumble, 7 plays
6:301st & 10 at own 23Justin Jackson run for 14 yds to the Nwest 37 for a 1ST down
6:001st & 10 at own 37Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 39
5:432nd & 8 at own 39Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Cameron Dickerson
5:403rd & 8 at own 39Clayton Thorson sacked by Jihad Ward for a loss of 7 yards to the 50 yard line Clayton Thorson fumbled, recovered by Nwest Clayton Thorson , return for 0 yards for a 1ST down ILLINOIS Penalty, Personal Foul (Chunky Clements) to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
5:201st & 10 at the 50Clayton Thorson pass complete to Miles Shuler for no gain to the 50 yard line
5:002nd & 10 at the 50Solomon Vault run for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 48
4:033rd & 12 at own 48Clayton Thorson pass complete to Solomon Vault for a loss of 3 yards Solomon Vault fumbled, forced by Chunky Clements, recovered by Illin Carroll Phillips
Illinois Turnover on downs, 5 plays
3:551st & 10 at opp 45Wes Lunt pass complete to Geronimo Allison for 14 yds to the Nwest 31 for a 1ST down
2:501st & 10 at opp 31Wes Lunt run for a loss of 9 yards to the Nwest 40
2:302nd & 19 at opp 40Wes Lunt pass complete to Desmond Cain for 8 yds to the Nwest 32
2:193rd & 11 at opp 32Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Malik Turner
2:194th & 11 at opp 32Timeout ILLINOIS, clock 02:19
2:104th & 11 at opp 32Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Malik Turner
Northwestern Pick-six, 4 plays (Illinois scores)
2:001st & 10 at own 32Clayton Thorson pass complete to Austin Carr for 15 yds to the Nwest 47 for a 1ST down
1:401st & 10 at own 47Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the Illin 47
1:152nd & 4 at opp 47Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Illin 46
0:453rd & 3 at opp 46Clayton Thorson pass intercepted for a TD Mason Monheim return for 58 yds for a TD, (Taylor Zalewski KICK)Northwestern 21, Illinois 14
Northwestern Field goal, 10 plays
0:451st & 10 at own 35Taylor Zalewski kickoff for 49 yds , Dan Vitale return for 16 yds to the Nwest 32
0:101st & 10 at own 32Justin Jackson run for 5 yds to the Nwest 37
Q4 15:002nd & 5 at own 37Justin Jackson run for 27 yds to the Illin 36 for a 1ST down
Q4 14:141st & 10 at opp 36Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Illin 34
Q4 13:592nd & 8 at opp 34Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Austin Carr
Q4 13:493rd & 8 at opp 34Warren Long run for 18 yds to the Illin 16 for a 1ST down
Q4 13:141st & 10 at opp 16Justin Jackson run for no gain to the Illin 16
Q4 12:402nd & 10 at opp 16Clayton Thorson pass complete to Justin Jackson for 1 yd to the Illin 15
Q4 12:003rd & 9 at opp 15Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Illin 12 NORTHWESTERN Penalty, Offensive Holding (Brad North) to the Illin 22
Q4 11:383rd & 16 at opp 22Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 11:38
Q4 11:323rd & 16 at opp 22Clayton Thorson pass incomplete
Q4 11:274th & 16 at opp 22Jack Mitchell 39 yd FG GOODNorthwestern 24, Illinois 14
4th quarter5 drives, then Northwestern 24, Illinois 14
Illinois Interception, 7 plays
11:274th & 16 at own 35Jack Mitchell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
11:181st & 10 at own 25Wes Lunt pass complete to Josh Ferguson for 34 yds to the Nwest 41 for a 1ST down
11:061st & 10 at opp 41Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Dionte Taylor
10:552nd & 10 at opp 41Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 6 yds to the Nwest 35
10:203rd & 4 at opp 35Wes Lunt pass complete to Desmond Cain for 6 yds to the Nwest 29 for a 1ST down
10:001st & 10 at opp 29Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 4 yds to the Nwest 25
9:562nd & 6 at opp 25Wes Lunt pass incomplete to Malik Turner
9:493rd & 6 at opp 25Wes Lunt pass intercepted Matthew Harris return for no gain to the Nwest 19
Northwestern Punt, 6 plays
9:381st & 10 at own 19Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Nwest 20
9:002nd & 9 at own 20Justin Jackson run for 7 yds to the Nwest 27
8:503rd & 2 at own 27Justin Jackson run for 4 yds to the Nwest 31 for a 1ST down
8:301st & 10 at own 31Clayton Thorson pass incomplete to Jelani Roberts
8:002nd & 10 at own 31Justin Jackson run for a loss of 2 yards to the Nwest 29
7:203rd & 12 at own 29Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 31
7:044th & 10 at own 31Hunter Niswander punt for 46 yds , V’Angelo Bentley returns for 17 yds to the Illin 40
Illinois Missed FG, 8 plays
6:501st & 10 at own 40Wes Lunt pass complete to Geronimo Allison for 3 yds to the Illin 43
6:252nd & 7 at own 43Josh Ferguson run for a loss of 3 yards to the Illin 40
6:113rd & 10 at own 40Wes Lunt pass complete to Josh Ferguson for 23 yds to the Nwest 37 for a 1ST down
5:501st & 10 at opp 37Wes Lunt pass complete to Malik Turner for 24 yds to the Nwest 13 for a 1ST down
5:201st & 10 at opp 13Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 4 yds to the Nwest 9
5:002nd & 6 at opp 9Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 3 yds to the Nwest 6
4:503rd & 3 at opp 6Ke’Shawn Vaughn run for 2 yds to the Nwest 4
4:284th & 1 at opp 4ILLINOIS Penalty, False Start (Christian DiLauro) to the Nwest 9
4:104th & 6 at opp 9Taylor Zalewski 27 yd FG MISSED
Northwestern Punt, 7 plays
4:001st & 10 at own 20Justin Jackson run for 3 yds to the Nwest 23
2:482nd & 7 at own 23Justin Jackson run for 13 yds to the Nwest 36 for a 1ST down
2:051st & 10 at own 36Clayton Thorson run for 9 yds to the Nwest 45
2:002nd & 1 at own 45Justin Jackson run for 2 yds to the Nwest 47 for a 1ST down
1:581st & 10 at own 47Timeout ILLINOIS, clock 01:58
1:201st & 10 at own 47Justin Jackson run for 6 yds to the Illin 47
1:132nd & 4 at opp 47Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 01:13
1:112nd & 4 at opp 47TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the Illin 48
1:113rd & 5 at opp 48Timeout ILLINOIS, clock 01:11
0:453rd & 5 at opp 48Justin Jackson run for 1 yd to the Illin 47
0:274th & 4 at opp 47Timeout NORTHWESTERN, clock 00:27
0:164th & 4 at opp 47Hunter Niswander punt for 41 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Illin 6
Illinois End of game, 2 plays
0:091st & 10 at own 6Wes Lunt pass complete to Desmond Cain for 23 yds to the Illin 29 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at own 29Wes Lunt pass complete to Josh Ferguson for 9 yds to the Illin 38

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

Illinois leads 59–⁠55–⁠5 in 119 meetings, counting the 10 since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Illinois 20, Northwestern 13
2024Illinois 38, Northwestern 28
2023Northwestern 45, Illinois 43
2022Illinois 41, Northwestern 3
2021Illinois 47, Northwestern 14
2020Northwestern 28, Illinois 10

Around this game