Northwestern closes with 37-34 win over Illinois
Northwestern backup quarterback Trevor Siemian threw for 414
yards and four touchdowns and Christian Jones caught 13 balls for
182 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats past Illinois
37-34 Saturday in the finale for both teams.
Siemian started for the injured Kain Colter and was 31-44.
The win ended a seven-game losing streak for Northwestern (5-7,
1-8 Big Ten)
The Wildcats gashed an Illinois defense that has given up big
yards and points all season. Northwestern’s 560 total yards made it
the fifth team to top 500 yards against Illinois (4-8, 1-8).
Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase was 31-45 for 307 yards
and two touchdowns in his last game at Illinois. His one
interception was a game-changer.
Trailing 30-27 early in the fourth quarter, Tyler Scott picked
off Scheelhaase at the Wildcat 47. Northwestern quickly scored the
decisive touchdown on a 7-yard pass from Siemian to Jones.