Northwestern
4-8 , 2-7
#22 Illinois
9-3 , 6-3
'Cats Drop 2024 Finale To Illinois, 38-28
11/30/2024 2:53:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO (November 30, 2024) – Devin Turner came away with a pair of interceptions, while Jack Lausch threw for a career-high 287 yards as Illinois (9-3, 6-3 B1G) dealt Northwestern (4-8, 2-7 B1G) a 38-28 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill.
Turner starred defensively for Northwestern, snagging a pair of interceptions, an effort highlighted by a 13-yard pick six that gave the hosts a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter. Turner, who also was credited with a pair of tackles, is the first Wildcat to record two interceptions in the same game since Jaheem Joseph on December 23, 2023 in the Wildcats' victory over Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Lausch turned in his top performance of the year guiding the Wildcat offense, completing 25 of his 48 attempts for 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Saturday's showing marked the Northwestern signal caller's sixth game with at least 200 yards through the air. Ryan Boe also made his Northwestern debut, totaling 42 yards passing.
A.J. Henning proved to be Lausch's top target on the afternoon, hauling in 10 receptions for 119 yards, both of which are career-best marks. Henning hauled in his fourth receiving touchdown of the year in the waning stages of the third quarter, as Lausch connected with him from 11 yards out. Thomas Gordon also enjoyed an impressive day, matching a career high with five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Cam Porter paced the attack for the Wildcats on the ground, averaging 4.4 yards on 12 carries as part of a 53-yard showing. Caleb Komolafe added 32 yards on eight touches.
Mac Uihlein came up just short of matching his career high in tackles, closing the afternoon with a team-high 12 stops. Xander Mueller finished with 1.5 tackles for loss, while Aidan Hubbard and Anto Saka were credited with one sack apiece.
Game Notes
» This afternoon's effort marked Henning's second game of 100-plus yards during his Wildcat career.
» Turner became the second Wildcat to return an interception for a touchdown this season, joining Theran Johnson (Oct. 26 vs. Iowa).
» Northwestern piled up 442 yards of total offense, 329 of which came through the air, as it outgained the Fighting Illini by a 442-382 margin.
» The Wildcats converted on just under half of their attempts on third down, going 9 of 19 to finish at a 47-percent clip.
» Aidan Laughery impressed for Illinois, piling up 172 yards rushing on the way to three touchdowns.
Team Stats
UI 0, NU 3
NU - Akers,Luke 21 yd field goal 12 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:29
UI 7, NU 3
UI - Laughery,Aidan 30 yd run (Olano,David kick), 3 plays, 73 yards, TOP 01:14
UI 7, NU 10
NU - Turner,Devin 13 yd interception (Akers,Luke kick)
UI 14, NU 10
UI - Altmyer,Luke 1 yd run (Olano,David kick), 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:46
UI 21, NU 10
UI - Laughery,Aidan 64 yd run (Olano,David kick), 2 plays, 69 yards, TOP 00:39
UI 28, NU 10
UI - Bryant,Pat 43 yd pass from Altmyer,Luke (Olano,David kick) 5 plays, 62 yards, TOP 02:36
UI 28, NU 13
NU - Akers,Luke 34 yd field goal 10 plays, 59 yards, TOP 04:33
UI 28, NU 20
NU - Henning,A.J. 11 yd pass from Lausch,Jack (Akers,Luke kick) 5 plays, 40 yards, TOP 02:35
UI 35, NU 20
UI - Laughery,Aidan 31 yd run (Olano,David kick), 4 plays, 42 yards, TOP 01:54
UI 38, NU 20
UI - Olano,David 24 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 00:57
UI 38, NU 28
NU - Gordon,Thomas 15 yd pass from Lausch,Jack (Lang,Marshall pass) 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 01:42
