Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 28
Chicago, Ill. (Soldier Field)
2:30 p.m.
Northwestern
10-2 , 6-2
24
at
14
Illinois
5-7 , 2-6
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Northwestern
14
7
0
3
24
Illinois
7
0
7
0
14
Team Stats
NU
ILL
Total Yards
350
319
Pass Yards
146
241
Rushing Yards
204
78
Penalty Yards
10
55
1st Downs
18
16
3rd Downs
6
6
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
33:26
26:34
1st Quarter
NU 0, ILL 7
ILL - Lunt,Wes 1 yd run (Zalewski,T. kick), 12 plays, 47 yards, TOP 4:31
NU 7, ILL 7
NU - Vitale, Dan 19 yd pass from Thorson, C. (Mitchell, Jack kick) 5 plays, 76 yards, TOP 2:24
NU 14, ILL 7
NU - Long, Warren 3 yd run (Mitchell, Jack kick), 12 plays, 57 yards, TOP 4:09
2nd Quarter
NU 21, ILL 7
NU - Jackson, Justin 3 yd run (Mitchell, Jack kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:19
3rd Quarter
NU 21, ILL 14
ILL - Monheim,Mason 58 yd interception (Zalewski,T. kick)
4th Quarter
NU 24, ILL 14
NU - Mitchell, Jack 39 yd field goal 10 plays, 46 yards, TOP 4:18
Game Leaders
CMP
12
TD
1
YDS
146
INT
1
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
PK
/ FootballQB
/ Football
SB
/ Football
LB
/ Football#B1GCats Earn 10th Win, Land of Lincoln Trophy With 24-14 Victory
11/28/2015 6:07:00 PM | Football
Northwestern tops Illinois to close the regular season at Soldier Field
STORIFY SOCIAL MEDIA RECAP
CHICAGO — No. 16 Northwestern capped the program's fourth-ever 10-win season and reclaimed the Land of Lincoln Trophy Saturday at Soldier Field with a 24-14 victory over Illinois.
Since the inception of the trophy, Northwestern is 4-3 over the Fighting Illini. Justin Jackson was the key contributor on the ground, running for 172 yards and moving into 6th all-time in Northwestern rushing history. As a team, Northwestern dominated Illinois on the ground, out-gaining the Fighting Illini 204-78.
Clayton Thorson was 12-25 on the day, racking up 146 yards through the air and connecting once for a touchdown. Austin Carr had a career day for the #B1GCats, as the wideout collected 61 yards through three receptions.
On the defensive side of the ball, Anthony Walker Jr. recorded 14 tackles and 3.5 TFLs. He also had one sack. Nate Hall and Godwin Igwebuike both had 10 tackles, splitting a second-place finish for the 'Cats. As a team, Northwestern's defensive prowess continued, as they held the Fighting Illini to only six third down conversions.
Illinois put the first points on the board following a three-play Wildcat drive. A 12-play drive ended with a Wes Lunt keeper for six points for the Fighting
Illini. After that, the 'Cats took over.
On the next drive, Thorson found a wide-open Austin Carr up the middle for a 48-yard reception that sent the 'Cats way downfield. Three plays later, Thorson threw to his right and connected with Dan Vitale, who bobbled the football but collected it, running it in for a touchdown, making the score 7-7.
Northwestern followed up that performance with another touchdown, this time from running back Warren Long. After reaching fourth down earlier in the drive, the 'Cats were bailed out by a Fighting Illini personal foul during a punt play. Northwestern took their second chance in stride and finished with a three-yard run up the gut by the junior running back.
Early in the second quarter, the Wildcats jumped ahead even further. A three-yard Justin Jackson scamper capped off a 75-yard drive. The touchdown, increasing the lead to 21-7, was Jackson's fourth of the season and 14th of his career.
After both teams went scoreless for nearly the entire third quarter, the Fighting Illini's Mason Monheim picked off Thorson's pass attempt and returned the ball 58 yards for an Illinois touchdown, 21-14.
The 'Cats punched through their first field goal of the game in the fourth quarter. Set up by a 27-yard run by Jackson, the Wildcats found themselves in the red zone, setting up a 39-yard field goal by Jack Mitchell, extending the lead to 24-14.
With Illinois driving down in the beginning of the fourth quarter, Northwestern needed a stop. Matthew Harris gave it to them in the form of an interception. The 'Cats could not convert on their proceeding drive and Illinois regained possession with seven minutes remaining.
The Fighting Illini connected on a series of passes downfield, setting up a 27-yard field goal attempt that would bring the game to a one-score differential. However, Illinois kicker Taylor Zalewski sent the kick wide right and the score remained 24-14.
Northwestern got the ball back with 4:10 left in the game and they managed the clock to perfection, as the 'Cats nearly drained the rest of the game.
CHICAGO — No. 16 Northwestern capped the program's fourth-ever 10-win season and reclaimed the Land of Lincoln Trophy Saturday at Soldier Field with a 24-14 victory over Illinois.
Since the inception of the trophy, Northwestern is 4-3 over the Fighting Illini. Justin Jackson was the key contributor on the ground, running for 172 yards and moving into 6th all-time in Northwestern rushing history. As a team, Northwestern dominated Illinois on the ground, out-gaining the Fighting Illini 204-78.
Clayton Thorson was 12-25 on the day, racking up 146 yards through the air and connecting once for a touchdown. Austin Carr had a career day for the #B1GCats, as the wideout collected 61 yards through three receptions.
On the defensive side of the ball, Anthony Walker Jr. recorded 14 tackles and 3.5 TFLs. He also had one sack. Nate Hall and Godwin Igwebuike both had 10 tackles, splitting a second-place finish for the 'Cats. As a team, Northwestern's defensive prowess continued, as they held the Fighting Illini to only six third down conversions.
Illinois put the first points on the board following a three-play Wildcat drive. A 12-play drive ended with a Wes Lunt keeper for six points for the Fighting
Illini. After that, the 'Cats took over.
On the next drive, Thorson found a wide-open Austin Carr up the middle for a 48-yard reception that sent the 'Cats way downfield. Three plays later, Thorson threw to his right and connected with Dan Vitale, who bobbled the football but collected it, running it in for a touchdown, making the score 7-7.
Northwestern followed up that performance with another touchdown, this time from running back Warren Long. After reaching fourth down earlier in the drive, the 'Cats were bailed out by a Fighting Illini personal foul during a punt play. Northwestern took their second chance in stride and finished with a three-yard run up the gut by the junior running back.
Early in the second quarter, the Wildcats jumped ahead even further. A three-yard Justin Jackson scamper capped off a 75-yard drive. The touchdown, increasing the lead to 21-7, was Jackson's fourth of the season and 14th of his career.
After both teams went scoreless for nearly the entire third quarter, the Fighting Illini's Mason Monheim picked off Thorson's pass attempt and returned the ball 58 yards for an Illinois touchdown, 21-14.
The 'Cats punched through their first field goal of the game in the fourth quarter. Set up by a 27-yard run by Jackson, the Wildcats found themselves in the red zone, setting up a 39-yard field goal by Jack Mitchell, extending the lead to 24-14.
With Illinois driving down in the beginning of the fourth quarter, Northwestern needed a stop. Matthew Harris gave it to them in the form of an interception. The 'Cats could not convert on their proceeding drive and Illinois regained possession with seven minutes remaining.
The Fighting Illini connected on a series of passes downfield, setting up a 27-yard field goal attempt that would bring the game to a one-score differential. However, Illinois kicker Taylor Zalewski sent the kick wide right and the score remained 24-14.
Northwestern got the ball back with 4:10 left in the game and they managed the clock to perfection, as the 'Cats nearly drained the rest of the game.
••••••
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