Not just a sweet win, but a great launching pad for next season including the Cats’ opportunity to deliver a sixth straight L to the Pumpkinheads in 2020. I feel good for Lovie, and they deserve a tip of the Hat (which can be found in Evanston yet again) for their nice season, but NU leaves them wondering what hit them and knocked them on their orange pants today on their home field.
Here’s the last decade of results. Not total dominance, but pretty close (aka, “convincing"):
2018 Northwestern 24, Illinois 17
The Illini tried to mount a fourth-quarter comeback in Evanston, but the 15-point hole they dug themselves in the first half was too much to overcome.
2017 Northwestern 42, Illinois 7
Illinois actually led in this game. Briefly. The Wildcats’ 42 unanswered points came with four different running backs finding the end zone.
2016 Northwestern 42, Illinois 21
There was no stopping Justin Jackson in Evanston. The NU running back rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats never trailed.
2015 Northwestern 24, Illinois 14
Illini quarterback Wes Lunt actually rushed for a touchdown at Soldier Field. But that was the only offensive score to go with Mason Monheim’s pick six.
2014 Illinois 47, Northwestern 33 (Fitz would call it an anomoly}
The Illini’s bowl hopes hinged on beating their rivals, and backup quarterback Reilly O’Toole delivered (three TD passes, 147 rushing yards).
2013 Northwestern 37, Illinois 34
The Wildcats’ Trevor Siemian lit up the Illini for 414 passing yards and four touchdowns. That included two fourth-quarter scores.
2012 Northwestern 50, Illinois 14
Illinois’ ninth straight loss of the season was a mixture of miscues (four turnovers) and a brutally efficient Wildcats’ offense.
2011 Illinois 38, Northwestern 35 (Hiccup late in the game)
Nathan Scheelhaase put up 426 total yards and four scores, lifting the Illini to a dramatic comeback win at Memorial Stadium.
2010 Illinois 48, Northwestern 27 (Chalk it up to the odd venue)
The Illini secured bowl eligibility at Wrigley Field with Mikel Leshoure rushing (one way) for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
2009 Northwestern 21, Illinois 16
On their Dad’s Day, the Illini scored 13 fourth quarter points but still fell to Mike Kafka and the Wildcats.
Here’s the last decade of results. Not total dominance, but pretty close (aka, “convincing"):
2018 Northwestern 24, Illinois 17
The Illini tried to mount a fourth-quarter comeback in Evanston, but the 15-point hole they dug themselves in the first half was too much to overcome.
2017 Northwestern 42, Illinois 7
Illinois actually led in this game. Briefly. The Wildcats’ 42 unanswered points came with four different running backs finding the end zone.
2016 Northwestern 42, Illinois 21
There was no stopping Justin Jackson in Evanston. The NU running back rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats never trailed.
2015 Northwestern 24, Illinois 14
Illini quarterback Wes Lunt actually rushed for a touchdown at Soldier Field. But that was the only offensive score to go with Mason Monheim’s pick six.
2014 Illinois 47, Northwestern 33 (Fitz would call it an anomoly}
The Illini’s bowl hopes hinged on beating their rivals, and backup quarterback Reilly O’Toole delivered (three TD passes, 147 rushing yards).
2013 Northwestern 37, Illinois 34
The Wildcats’ Trevor Siemian lit up the Illini for 414 passing yards and four touchdowns. That included two fourth-quarter scores.
2012 Northwestern 50, Illinois 14
Illinois’ ninth straight loss of the season was a mixture of miscues (four turnovers) and a brutally efficient Wildcats’ offense.
2011 Illinois 38, Northwestern 35 (Hiccup late in the game)
Nathan Scheelhaase put up 426 total yards and four scores, lifting the Illini to a dramatic comeback win at Memorial Stadium.
2010 Illinois 48, Northwestern 27 (Chalk it up to the odd venue)
The Illini secured bowl eligibility at Wrigley Field with Mikel Leshoure rushing (one way) for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
2009 Northwestern 21, Illinois 16
On their Dad’s Day, the Illini scored 13 fourth quarter points but still fell to Mike Kafka and the Wildcats.
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