Illinois LB Jake Hansen on validation with upset win over Wisconsin: 'It's a big F you'

Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen wasn’t afraid of speaking his mind after Illinois’ 24-23 upset win over Wisconsin on Saturday. After some frustrating losses, the Illini finally got some validation.

After the game, Hansen was thrilled about the victory, celebrating in style with a cigar while heading into the interview room in Champaign, according to to Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune. And the linebacker was anything but quiet.

“31-point spread, huh?” Hansen reportedly yelled after the game. He also said the win over Wisconsin was “a big F you,” to the doubters of the Illinois program.

Perhaps the best post-game interview moment was #Illini LB Jake Hansen walking into the interview room with a cigar, yelling "31 point spread, huh?"
"It's a big F you," he said of the validation of upsetting No. 6 Wisconsin 24-23.

— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) October 19, 2019

Hansen had a big day for the Illini, finishing the afternoon with 11 tackles, and one sack in the victory. For the year, the linebacker has totaled 58 stops with 6.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and an interception.

Illinois’ upset victory was the largest in the B1G in nearly four decades.

With the win, Illinois improved to 3-4 on the season and got its first B1G win of the season. Wisconsin dropped to 6-1 on the year.