Illinois is playing 'Lovie Ball' early against Northwestern as INT leads to TD for Illini offense

Illinois is looking to close out the 2019 regular season strong, despite already being bowl eligible with a 6-5 overall record.

The Fighting Illini are hosting Northwestern on Saturday, who has yet to record a Big Ten win this season after winning the Big Ten West last year by three games. Despite the Wildcats’ struggles this season, and having a fourth-string QB start the game against Illinois, they led 3-0 going into the second quarter.

Northwestern was driving to add more points on the scoreboard, but Illinois decided to play “Lovie Ball” when DB Nate Hobbs intercepted a pass:

That @IlliniFootball defense is doing what it does best…Taking the ball away.

It leads to six for the offense: pic.twitter.com/YOJPJecYHV

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) November 30, 2019

Hobbs’ play on the ball and return afterwards helped setup Illinois’ first score of the game. That came on a six-yard run by Dre Brown, making it a 7-3 game in the Fighting Illini’s favor:

It's the super senior with a Senior Day TD. 🔥

Dre Brown punches it in for @IlliniFootball: pic.twitter.com/dLvIJJPhx0

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) November 30, 2019

Northwestern has since scored a touchdown, giving the Wildcats the lead midway through the second quarter. The game can be found on FS1.