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College Football

3 takeaways from Illinois’ win over Northwestern for Land of Lincoln Trophy

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

The Land of Lincoln Trophy goes back to Champaign.

Illinois held off Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday. The game was played at Wrigley Field in Chicago for the first time since 2010 as NU’s massive campus stadium project continues in Evanston.

Illinois had already secured bowl eligibility, entering the game as an 8-win team. Northwestern was just 4-7 and could not clinch bowl eligibility (6 wins), but was looking at a potential bowl bid as a 5-win squad due to academics. Those hopes, though, are no more.

Here are 3 takeaways from Illinois’ rivalry win at the friendly confines:

Laughery lifts Illini offense on Altmyer off day

Luke Altmyer wasn’t his usual self for Illinois on Saturday. He went just 5-of-9 passing in the 1st half, throwing 2 interceptions. He performed better in the 2nd half, but wasn’t at 100% after taking a hard hit in the 3rd quarter. It was no problem for Illinois, though.

The Illini had Aidan Laughery to lean on. Laughery had never rushed for more than 100 yards in a game in his career. On Saturday, he scored 3 touchdowns and rushed for a career-high of 172 yards on just 12 carries.

Northwestern unable to take advantage of 1st-half opportunities before 2nd-half meltdown

Northwestern has to wonder what could have been.

In the 1st half, the Wildcats ran 46 plays to Illinois’ 21. They held the ball 20:33 to the Illini’s 9:33. The turnover battle was 2-1 in Northwestern. And still, at the break, it was 14-10 Illinois, as the Wildcat defense was responsible for the team’s only first-half TD.

In the 2nd half, Illinois continued to show its knack for the big play thanks to Aidan Laughery and Altmyer finding Pat Bryant for a 43-yard score.

Turnovers, meanwhile, caught up to a Northwestern that struggled to complete drives and score. The Wildcats had some life when they briefly cut it to 28-20. The next 4 drives, however, ended in an interception, fumble, turnover on downs and an another interception.

Northwestern rallied to cut it to 38-28 with 1 minute left, but it was too little too late for the upset bid.

First 9-win season for Illinois since 2007

It wasn’t a perfect season, but 9 wins in the regular season with a shot at 10 is solidly impressive for Bret Bielema’s Illini considering the preseason expectations.

Out in Las Vegas, the over/under for Illinois’ 2024 win total hovered around 5.5 entering the season. The Tradition Crystal Ball went under, projecting 5-7 and suggesting Illinois faithful not plan on a trip to a bowl game.

Nine wins won’t get the Illini in the College Football Playoff, but as a ranked team with another win, they can plan on a prime New Year’s Day bowl game. Make it a 10-win bowl, and Illinois will receive some national recognition and real momentum for 2025.

Andrew Olson

A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.