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.