Northwestern University Athletics
Football Drops League Contest to Illinois
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
October 3, 1998
A five-yard late touchdown pass from Gavin Hoffman to John Burden with 1:42 on the clock pulled the Wildcats to within three points of Illinois. One play later, though, Brian Gowins' onside kick was recovered by Northwestern only two yards shy of the 10-yard minimum, and NU fell short as the Fighting Illini ran out the clock.
Hoffman completed eight out of nine passes for 83 yards on the 'Cats final drive, making him 20 for 29 on the day for 177 yards. He connected three times on the drive to wide receiver D'Wayne Bates, giving Bates nine receptions on the day. He moves into second place among NU receivers with 162 career receptions, passing Lee Gissendaner (156, 1990-93), and behind only Richard Buchanan (197, 1987-90). Bates passed three players to move into 10th place on the all-time Big Ten receptions list. He became Northwestern's all-time receiving yards leader last week.
Northwestern's performance was highlighted by its defense, which held Illinois to only 13 yards and zero first downs in its first six drives. NU outgained the Fighting Illini for the day in the air (186-124) and overall (271-255), notching 20 first downs to Illinois 14. Linebacker Barry Gardner led the Wildcats in tackles for the third-consecutive week with 11, followed by linebacker Preston Letts (8). Defensive end Thor Schmidt had three tackles for loss among his seven tackles, including one sack.
The attendance in Evanston was 41,232, the largest Ryan Field crowd this season.
