EVANSTON, Ill. – After getting off to a strong start in the first quarter, Illinois was unable to get the offense going as the No. 14 Wildcats win the battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy, 28-10. The Illini rushed for 155 yards and forced one turnover on Saturday afternoon.

WILLIAMS PROVIDES A SPARK

Illini redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Williams went 4-8 for 86 yards and a touchdown. Williams hit Brian Hightower with a perfectly-thrown ball midway through the fourth quarter for a 46-yard touchdown.

Williams also rushed for 38 yards against the Wildcats.

.@i_williams11 finds @longlivee14 down the seam for a pretty 46-yard score.@IlliniFootball has cut the deficit to 18: pic.twitter.com/CO0yhZ151b

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 12, 2020

HE DOES IT AGAIN

For the second time this season, Illini punter Blake Hayes showed off his running ability. Early in the second quarter, Hayes scampered for 20 yards while picking up the first down and setting up the Illini in Northwestern territory. Hayes is now averaging 17 yards per carry this season.

.@IlliniFootball's @HayesBla1 is destroying the stereotype that punters can't be top-tier athletes. ??

His two fakes this year have been ??. pic.twitter.com/XFpMM6uUnV

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 12, 2020

DEPLETED DEFENSE

Illinois had six of 11 defensive starters unavailable against the Wildcats. Three Illini defenders made their first career starts in defensive linemen Calvin Avery and Bryce Barnes and cornerback Marquez Beason. Linebacker Michael Marchese and safety Jartavius Martin both made their first starts of the season.

Due to positive test results and contact tracing for the COVID-19 virus, senior cornerbacks Tony Adams and Nate Hobbs missed Saturday's game.

NOTES

• Today was the latest regular season game in Illinois football history. 

• Illinois is 55-54-5 all-time against Northwestern, including a 30-30-3 record in Evanstan.

• Illinois had three defenders make their first career starts: Calvin Avery, Bryce Barnes, and Marquez Beason. 

• Illinois had two defenders make their first starts of the season: Michael Marchese and Jartavius Martin.

• P Blake Hayes is now the leader in career punting yardage with 10811 yards. Hayes also had one rush for 20 yards.

• Illinois captains: LB Jake Hansen, P Blake Hayes, C Doug Kramer, QB Brandon Peters. Other captain CB Nate Hobbs, was out.

• Illinois started an all-Illinois offensive line of LT Vederian Lowe (Rockford, Ill.), LG Kendrick Green (Peoria, Ill.) , C Doug Kramer (Hinsdale, Ill.) RG     Verdis Brown (Chicago, Ill.), RT Julian Pearl (Danville, Ill.).

• Illinois started six transfers -  RB Chase Brown, LB Milo Eifler, TE Luke Ford, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, QB Brandon Peters, DB Derrick Smith

• Four of Illinois' 22 starters against Iowa have 20+ starts: , OT Vederian Lowe (39th), OL Doug Kramer (37th), OL Kendrick Green (34th),LB Jake Hansen (29th)                            

• Senior LT Vederian Lowe started for the 33rd straight game.

• Junior OL Kendrick Green started for the 34th straight game.

• Six of Illinois' defensive starters from last week were not available at Northwestern: DB Adams, DB Brown, DB Hobbs, DL Perry, LB Tolson, DL Woods

• Illinois was missing 55% of its total starts on defense this season (36/66).

• Entering the game, Illinois had 17 defenders that had played 100+ snaps this season. Eight of those defenders were not available for the game. 

• Illinois senior defensive back Tony Adams missed the game following a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus. Contact tracing also sidelined senior defensive back Nate Hobbs.

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