Illinois vs. Northwestern – Game Recap – November 26, 2022 – ESPN

EVANSTON, Ailing. — — Security Sydney Brown returned a landing and an interception for scores and Illinois snapped a three-game dropping streak with a 41-3 rout of Northwestern on Saturday.

Brown raced 53 yards for a landing after Northwestern quarterback Cole Freeman fumbled, then sprinted in for a 39-yard rating off an interception, each within the third quarter.

Illinois (8-4 general, 5-4 Large Ten) entered with an opportunity to win the Large Ten West and advance to the convention championship for the primary time. Nonetheless, Purdue defeated Indiana 30-16 to win the division title and can play Michigan at Indianapolis subsequent Saturday.

Nonetheless, the Illini took an enormous step ahead beneath second-year coach Bret Bielema and now look ahead to enjoying in a postseason bowl recreation… someplace.

It simply will not be for the Large Ten crown.

“This yr we had been a recreation shy of constructing it to Indy, and loads of optimistic steps for our program,” Bielema mentioned, “I could not be extra enthusiastic about this workforce and the place we’re at, however extra importantly the place we’re going.

“We misplaced 4 (convention) video games that had been one-score video games,” Bielema added. “That may inspire and provoke, no matter, you need to say to myself and the teaching workers through the offseason as a lot as something — these 4 that bought away from us.”

Brown’s twin brother, operating again Chase Brown, punched in a 1-yard landing and completed with 61 yards on 19 carries. He entered main the nation in yards dashing with 1,582 yards however fell in need of Mikel Leshoure’s single-season college report of 1,697 in 2010.

Sydney Brown was making an attempt to digest scoring twice off defensive performs, one thing he hadn’t achieved since highschool in London, Ontario.

“I really like interceptions, that is at all times on my thoughts,” Brown mentioned. “Anyway I can get within the field (rating), that is enjoyable.”

However he actually needed extra yards for his brother.

“I mentioned it to him on the facet, if I get one other turnover I will reverse the sector on the 20, 25 simply so you may go get the dashing report. That is all I needed for him right now.”

However Bielema did not push Chase Brown, who performed with an injured ankle.

“Chase, I simply did not need to put him again in there on the finish,” Bielema mentioned, whereas joking that he may need put brother Sydney in at tailback. “I simply thought it was one thing I did not need to press the envelope on right now.”

Tommy DeVito threw for 136 yards on 12-for-18 passing and ran for a landing, and Reggie Love III scored on 2-yard landing run to get the Illinois offense rolling. Caleb Griffin kicked a pair of discipline targets because the Illini completed with eight or extra wins for the primary time because the 2007 Rose Bowl workforce completed 9-4.

The Illini have a successful convention report for the primary time since 2007 once they went 6-2.

The Illini handed Northwestern its eleventh straight loss following a season-opening win over Nebraska in Dublin, Eire. The Wildcats, 1-8 within the Large Ten, managed solely Adam Stage’s discipline purpose.

Northwestern appeared be getting on a roll with a number of drives within the first half, however Freeman, a second-year walk-on, threw three of his 4 interceptions in his second profession begin.

Freeman was changed by Jack Lausch after his fourth interception.

TOUGHER LOSSES

Bielema fought again tears within the postgame presser, however not as a result of his workforce narrowly missed the Large Ten title recreation.

Bielema’s mom, Marilyn, died on Thursday, Nov. 17, however he was on the sidelines two days later towards Michigan.

Following the win over Northwestern, Bielema revealed that his father-in-law, Greg, had handed away final Tuesday in Florida. The coach traveled to providers and did not rejoin the Illini till Friday evening.

“I by no means noticed my workforce once more till late final evening,” Bielema mentioned. “I simply knew from watching them final evening and their depth right now that they had been going to play fairly effectively.”

Bielema mentioned was near his father-in-law.

“He and I did fishing journeys,” Bielema mentioned. “I even took him to Vegas. Who takes their father-in-law to Vegas, proper?”

THE TAKEAWAY

Illinois: The Illini proceed to progress beneath Bielema, bettering on their 5-7 general and 4-5 convention information in 2021.

Illinois peaked at 7-1, 4-1 Large Ten and No. 14 within the nationwide after a 26-9 win over Nebraska on Oct. 29.

Northwestern: Error-prone and injury-raked, Northwestern grew to become decreasingly aggressive because the season wore on and the losses grew extra lopsided.

UP NEXT

Illinois: The Illini count on a bowl invitation. After that, they’ll host Toledo of their 2023 season opener.

Northwestern: Opens it 2023 scheduled on Sept. 2 at Rutgers. It needs to be the ultimate season for the Wildcats in 97-year-old Ryan Area, slated to be demolished and changed with a privately funded 35,000-seat stadium.