CHICAGO — Something about video games at Wrigley Field brings out big-hit video games from Illinois working backs. First, Mikel LeShoure. Now, Aidan Laughery.
Laughery ran for a career-high 172 yards with three home-run touchdowns of 30, 64 and 31 yards to steer Illinois to a 38-28 win over Northwestern.
Laughery’s huge day — he is the primary Illinois participant to high 150 yards since Chase Brown in 2022 — helped Illinois (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy and put an exclamation level on the winningest common season for this system in 17 years.
Illinois broad receiver Pat Bryant (4 receptions, 70 yards) tied Brandon Lloyd‘s single-season receiving touchdowns file at Illinois with a 43-yard landing within the third quarter.
Luke Altmyer accomplished 10 of 17 passes for 170 yards and a landing and ran for a landing however was intercepted by Northwestern security Devin Turner twice within the first half, together with a 13-yard landing return within the first quarter.
A.J. Henning led Northwestern (4-8, 2-7 Big Ten) with 10 receptions for 119 yards and a landing, however the Illini compelled three takeaways of Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch (two interceptions and a fumble), who accomplished 25 of 48 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Ryan Boe additionally threw an interception for Northwestern.
The Illinois protection had 4 takeaways, Illinois sophomore linebacker Malachi Hood had 2.0 sacks and a compelled fumble, and Mac Resetich, Xavier Scott and Torrie Cox Jr. every had an interception for the Illini.
Northwestern marched down the sector rapidly on the opening drive, however two Illini blitzes contained in the 5 compelled back-to-back incompletions, forcing a 21-yard subject aim by Northwestern’s Luke Akers to offer Illinois a 3-0 lead. The Illini responded with a three-play, 73-yard scoring drive with Zakhari Franklin catching a 43-yard reception earlier than Aidan Laughery ran for a 30-yard landing run to offer Illinois a 7-3 lead.
Northwestern once more marched down the sector contained in the Illini 10, however Xavier Scott picked Jack Lausch in the long run zone to finish the menace. But two performs later, Devin Turner intercepted Altmyer for a 13-yard landing return to offer Northwestern a 10-7 lead.
But the Illini once more responded with Altmyer finishing a 38-yard go to Collin Dixon on Third-and-15 earlier than Altmyer plunged in on Third-and-goal for a one-yard landing run to offer the Illini a 14-10 lead. Late within the second quarter, Turner intercepted Altmyer for the second time on a deep shot to Pat Bryant to finish an Illini drive in Northwestern territory.
The Wildcats drove the ball to the Illinois 18, highlighted by a 26-yard third-down conversion to Henning, however Malachi Hood sacked Lausch on third down and Akers missed a 44-yard subject aim try as time expired within the first half for Illinois to maintain a 14-10 lead at halftime.
But the Illini struck rapidly within the second half as Laughery on the second play of the half ran for a 63-yard landing on a draw run to offer Illinois a 21-10 lead. After a Northwestern 3-and-out, Illinois once more struck rapidly with Altmyer hitting Bryant for a 43-yard catch and run to offer Illinois a 28-10 lead. Northwestern once more drove into the crimson zone however once more settled for a subject aim try, a 34-yard make by Akers.
But Illinois adopted with a 3-and-out, ending with an intentional grounding by Altmyer. Northwestern took benefit of nice subject place with a fast five-play, 40-yard scoring drive, capped by an 11-yard landing go from Lausch to Henning to chop the deficit to 28-20 late within the third quarter.
Another Illinois 3-and-out gave Northwestern the ball in Illinois territory once more, however Mac Restich intercepted Lausch and returned it into Northwestern territory to offer the ball again to the offense. The Illini took benefit as Laughery discovered the tip zone for a 3rd time with a 31-yard landing run.
On the subsequent drive, Hood compelled a fumble on Lausch together with his second sack of the sport, recovered by Matthew Bailey. David Olano kicked a 24-yard subject aim, doinking it off the uprights and in, to offer Illinois a three-possession lead at 38-20. Cox then intercepted Lausch halfway by means of the fourth quarter to all however finish Northwestern’s probabilities.
Lausch threw a 15-yard landing go to Thomas Gordon with 1:00 left and transformed on a two-point conversion to chop the deficit to 38-28.
What it means: Illinois solidified its greatest common season in 17 years and solidified 2024 as among the finest seasons in program historical past, and the Illini are seemingly sure for the Citrus Bowl to play an SEC opponent. This is simply the eighth 9+ win season in Illini program historical past and simply the third 6+ win Big Ten season for Illinois since 1991. All was completed by a crew that had a season over/below win whole of six video games and was projected to complete thirteenth within the Big Ten by convention media. Bret Bielema continues to raise expectations for this long-struggling program, and this season’s success following final season’s disappointment was important to his aim of sustained long-term success.
Star of the sport: Aidan Laughery gave Illinois what it has lacked within the run sport for a lot of the season: somebody who could make defenders miss within the gap and breakaway for touchdowns. Aided by nice blocking, Laughery’s two lengthy scores have been enormous to raise an Illinois offense whose passing assault was struggling greater than traditional as Altmyer had one in all his poorer video games of the season. But once more, shout out to the Illinois offensive line, which was dominant for a lot of the day towards a strong Northwestern defensive entrance.
Stats of the sport
- Illinois had a +2 turnover margin with 4 takeaways and two turnovers.
- The Illini’s 5 landing drives averaged 4.4 performs.
- Illinois averaged 7.2 yards per play, whereas Northwestern averaged 4.9 yards per play.
- Aidan Laughery averaged 14.3 yards per rush.
- Altmyer tied a season-high with two interceptions.
Don’t overlook: Some younger defenders stepped up with some huge performs. Malachi Hood had his first two profession sacks and compelled fumble, Mac Resetich had his second interception of his profession and Jojo Hayden and Daniel Brown every offered some pressures. Jaheim Clarke struggled a bit as Northwestern attacked him in protection, however the Illini sophomore made his first profession begin at cornerback and had 10 tackles. The Illini protection has developed some depth late within the season.
What’s subsequent: Illinois awaits its bowl vacation spot, however barring a shock — like Indiana dropping to lowly Purdue to drop out of the CFP — the Illini are seemingly headed to Orlando for a New Year’s Eve showdown towards an SEC opponent because the Illini are unanimously projected to play within the Citrus Bowl. But though yet one more sport stays within the 2024 season, the subsequent month shall be important for build up the 2025 roster. The early signing interval runs Wednesday by means of Friday after which the winter switch portal window opens on Dec. 9 and closes on Dec. 28. Roster retention and expertise addition shall be important in Illinois persevering with to construct the momentum from its greatest common season in a decade and a half.
