For The Hat: #22 Illinois Closes Regular Season With Wrigley Field Showdown Against Northwestern

• Illinois will play its third game in program history at Wrigley Field. The Illini last played at Wrigley in 2010, a 48-27 win over Northwestern, in the famous game that was played in one direction. Mikel Leshoure set an Illinois record with 330 rushing yards at the Friendly Confines. QB Nathan Scheelhaase ran for 97 yards, as Illinois finished with 519 rushing yards in the first football game at Wrigley Field in 40 years. 
• Illinois first played at Wrigley Field in 1923 when it was known as Cubs Park. The Illini and Red Grange shut out Northwestern, 29-0, in front of 25,774 fans. Grange carried 12 times for 104 yards and three rushing touchdowns, threw one pass for 13 yards, caught one pass for 26 yards, had one interception and returned it for 90 yards, and had three punt returns for 31 yards in his fourth career game. Illinois went 8-0 in 1923 and were crowned national champions.
• Red Grange played his first-ever professional football game in front of a sold-out crowd at Cubs Park – now Wrigley Field – on Thanksgiving day in 1925, just 10 days after Grange's last college game for Illinois.
• Illinois legend Dick Butkus called Wrigley Field home for the first six years of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears from 1965-70. The Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field in 1971.
• Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is familiar with Wrigley Field. Bielema has guest conducted the seventh-inning stretch at a Chicago Cubs home game during each of the last four seasons.

#22 Illinois Battles for The Hat against Northwestern

• Illinois travels to Chicago to take on Northwestern on Saturday for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Big Ten Network.
• Illinois and Northwestern will play for the "Land of Lincoln" trophy on Saturday, the 16th battle for the relatively new rivalry trophy. Illinois is 5-10 against Northwestern since the beginning of the Land of Lincoln trophy. The Illini own "Land of Lincoln" trophy wins in 2022, 2021, 2014, 2011 and 2010.
• Illinois is looking to win 9+ regular season games for the eighth time in program history (1892, 1902, 1904, 1983, 1989, 2001, 2007). The school record for total wins in a season is 10 (1902, 1983, 1989, 2001).

The Top 25 Fighting Illini

• Illinois is in the AP Top 25 for the ninth time this season. 
• Illinois' nine AP Poll appearances this season are the program's most since 2001, when the Illini appeared in 10 polls. 
• Illinois was #24 in last week's College Football Playoff Top 25. When the CFP Top 25 is released Tuesday, Illinois will be ranked in back-to-back weeks and for the fourth time in program history. The Illini were ranked by the CFP twice in 2022, reaching as high as #16. Tuesday will be the latest in a season Illinois has been ranked by the College Football Playoff. 
• Illinois has four wins this season while ranked in the AP poll, the most since also winning four games while ranked in 2001.

Bowl-Eligible Illini | Postseason Website

• Illinois is bowl eligible for the second time in the last three seasons. The Illini last went to a bowl following the 2022 season, when the Illini played in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. 
• Illinois will play in two bowls over a three-year stretch for the first time since back-to-back bowl seasons in 2010 and 2011. 
• Bret Bielema is the first Illini coach to go to two bowl games in his first four seasons since Lou Tepper from 1991-94.

Big Comebacks and B1G Wins

• Illinois has four fourth-quarter comeback wins this season (Kansas, at Nebraska, Purdue, at Rutgers). 
• Illinois has a 9-4 record in one-score games over the last two seasons, including a 4-1 record in one-score games this season.
• Seven of Illinois' nine one-score wins over the last two seasons have come in the final minute or overtime.  
• Illinois has been underdogs in five of its nine one-score wins over the past two seasons, including four as road dogs.
• Pat Bryant has three game-winning touchdown catches in the final minute or overtime this season, all coming from Luke Altmyer (at Nebraska, Purdue, at Rutgers). Bryant leads the nation in game-winning touchdowns. 
• Altmyer has led five game-winning drives in the final minute or OT during his Illini career, including four in Big Ten wins. 
• Illinois' five Big Ten wins this season are tied with 2022 for the most since Illinois went 6-2 in Big Ten games in 2007 on the way to the Rose Bowl. The Illini are looking for their third six-win Big Ten season since 1990 (2010, 2007).
• Illinois has 21 wins over the last three seasons, the program's most in a three-year span since 1999-01 (23 wins).

Tough, Smart, Dependable

• Illinois is fourth in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+0.45 per game) and sixth in turnovers forced (15).
• Illinois ranks 20th-best in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (41.6). 
• Illinois' three interceptions thrown as a team are the fewest in the Big Ten and tied for the second-fewest in the nation. Only Army (1) has thrown fewer interceptions than Illinois this season.
• Illinois is 7-0 when it commits zero or one turnover. The Illini are 6-1 when they force one or more turnovers.

The Bielema Era  

• Bret Bielema is 26-22 during his Illinois career. Since Robert Zuppke went undefeated in two of his first three seasons at Illinois from 1913-15, Bielema's 26-22 start is the third-best through 48 games by an Illini head coach, behind only Mike White (1980-83) and John Mackovic (1988-91).
• Bielema has won at least eight games in two of his first four seasons at Illinois, becoming the first Illini head coach since John Mackovic (1988-91) to do so.
• Bielema's 17 Big Ten wins through his first four seasons at Illinois are the most since John Mackovic won 22 in his first four seasons from 1988-91.
• Bielema's five ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons are tied for the second-most in program history, behind only John Mackovic (8, 1988-91) and tied with Mike White (5, 1980-83).
• Bielema has three road ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons in Champaign. He is the second coach in Illinois history to win three ranked games on the road during his first four seasons, joining Lou Tepper (1992-96).
• Bielema has had the Illini ranked in 13 AP polls during his first four seasons in Champaign. Only John Mackovic (39 weeks, 1988-91) had the Illini ranked more during their first four seasons as Illinois head coaches. Mike White also reached 13 AP poll appearances from 1980-83.
• Bielema joined John Mackovic (1988-91) and Lou Tepper (1992-95) as the only head coaches in Illinois history to win 5+ games in each of their first four seasons leading the Fighting Illini.
• Bielema is 9-8 in Big Ten road games at Illinois. His nine Big Ten road wins are the fourth-most by an Illini head coach in his first four seasons, behind only Mike White (11, 1980-83), Lou Tepper (10, 1992-95), and John Mackovic (10, 1988-91).

The Illinois Offense

• Illinois has scored 38+ points in back-to-back Big Ten games for the first time since 2011.
• QB Luke Altmyer's 20/3 TD/interception ratio is the best in the Big Ten and second-best in Power 4 behind only Clemson's Cade Klubnik (29/4) (min. 10 TDs).
• Altmyer is 35th in the nation in passing efficiency. His 145.2 passing efficiency would be second-best in a single season in Illinois football history.
• Altmyer is fourth in the Big Ten in passing touchdowns (18) and 26th in the nation. 
• Altmyer is the only quarterback in the nation with 20+ touchdown passes and three or fewer interceptions.
• Altmyer in Illinois wins: 135-for-215 passing (62.8%), 18 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions, 60 rushes, 260 rushing yards (4.3 yards/rush), three rushing touchdowns.
• Altmyer joined an impressive list of Illini QBs who have led the team to three Top 25 wins in a single season over the last 50 years: Jack Trudeau (1983), Jason Verduzco (1990), Kurt Kittner (2001), Juice Williams (2007), and Altmyer (2024).
• WR Pat Bryant is tied for the Big Ten lead in receiving touchdowns (9) and tied for 11th in the nation.
• On the game-winning TD at Rutgers, Bryant  became the 10th player in Illini history to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.
• Bryant set the Memorial Stadium records for single-season receiving TDs (6) and career receiving TDs (13).
• Bryant has the No. 3 run-blocking grade in the nation among wide receivers (81.1) according to PFF.
• Illinois is 6-0 when Bryant catches a touchdown pass.

The Illinois Defense

• In Aaron Henry's second season as defensive coordinator, Illinois ranks 38th in the nation in scoring defense (21.5), an improvement of 55 spots in the national rankings year-over-year (93rd, 29.4).
• Illinois' 11 forced fumbles are tied with Ohio State for the most in the Big Ten and tied for 19th in the nation.
• Illinois' 22.0 sacks in Big Ten games ranks third in the conference, behind only Ohio State (27.0) and Michigan (26.0).
• Illini OLB Gabe Jacas ranks in the top 20 nationally in forced fumbles (t-9th, 3) and sacks (t-20th, 8.0). Jacas is tied for the Big Ten lead in forced fumbles and ranks fourth in sacks. 
• Jacas is tied with Penn State DE Abdul Carter for the most sacks in Big Ten games (7.0).
• Xavier Scott is one of 15 semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back. Scott is the No. 7 graded cornerback in the Big Ten (77.4) according to PFF. He has the No. 14 run defense grade in the nation among cornerbacks (84.1) according to PFF (min. 400 snaps).
• Kaleb Patterson has the No. 5 tackling grade in the nation among cornerbacks (88.6), according to PFF.

The Illinois Special Teams

• Kicker David Olano is 16-for-19 on field goals, including 15-for-17 inside of 50 yards and 11-for-11 inside of 40 yards.
• Kicker Ethan Moczulski's 59-yard field goal vs. Central Michigan, the first attempt of his career, set an Illinois program record and is tied for the sixth-longest field goal in the nation and longest in the Big Ten this season. 
• Punter Hugh Robertson has landed 59.2% (19/32) of his punts inside the 20, which is on pace for an Illinois record.
• Hank Beatty leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth in the nation with 15.5 yards per punt return.
• Beatty's 15.5-yard punt return average is the best in Illinois single-season history for players that have returned 16+ punts.
• Beatty's 279 punt return yards are the fifth-most in Illinois single-season history.

Illinois Excelling in Close Games

• Illinois is 9-4 in one-score games over the last two seasons, including a 4-1 record in one-score games this season. Illinois has one-score wins over #19 Kansas, #22 Nebraska, Purdue, and Rutgers in 2024.
• Illinois won five one-score games in 2023 (5-3), tied for the most in program history with the 1934 team. 
• QB Luke Altmyer has led five game-winning drives in the final minute or overtime during his Illini career. He led the Illini on last-second field goal drives against Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00) in 2023. This season, he has thrown the deciding touchdown to Pat Bryant in the opening drive of overtime wins over #22 Nebraska and Purdue, plus hit Bryant with 0:04 left at Rutgers for a game-winning 40-yard touchdown.
• Seven of Illinois' nine one-score wins over the last two seasons have come in the final minute or overtime. This season, Illinois topped Nebraska and Purdue in overtime and beat Rutgers with 0:04 left. Last season, K Caleb Griffin had game-winning field goals to beat Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00), and WR Isaiah Williams had game-winning TD receptions from QB John Paddock at Minnesota (0:50) and against Indiana (OT) in back-to-back weeks in November. 

ALL-TIME SERIES vs. NORTHWESTERN
» Series: Illinois leads 57-55-5
      » at Wrigley Field: Illinois leads 2-0
» Last: L, 43-45 (11/25/2023 at Illinois)
      » at Wrigley: W, 48-27 (11/20/2010)
» Streak: L1
      » at Wrigley: W2
» Bielema vs. Northwestern: 4-2
      » as Illinois head coach: 2-1

Battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy

• Illinois and Northwestern will play for the Land of Lincoln trophy on Saturday, the 16th battle for the relatively new rivalry trophy. Illinois is 5-10 against Northwestern since the beginning of the Land of Lincoln trophy.
• Illinois owns Land of Lincoln trophy wins in 2022, 2021, 2014, 2011 and 2010. 
• The Fighting Illini and Wildcats played for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk from 1947-2008. Illinois led the traditional trophy series by a 32-28-2 mark, but Northwestern won the final meeting for the Tomahawk with its 27-10 win in 2008. The Tomahawk was retired following the 2008 season.
• Illinois trails by one game in the combined trophy series (Sweet Sioux Tomahawk and Land of Lincoln Trophy), 37-38-2.
• The Land of Lincoln Trophy, a bronze replica of a stovepipe hat famously worn by Abraham Lincoln, was chosen by fans of both schools in 2009 in an online vote to replace the 62-year-old Tomahawk Trophy.

The Illinois-Northwestern Series

• Saturday's game is the 118th meeting between Illinois and Northwestern. Illinois leads 57-55-5.  
• In the 2023 matchup, Illinois came up just short in a 45-43 season-ending loss that snapped the Illini's two-game winning streak in the series. Several Illini had sensational senior day performances in the final games of their careers at Illinois. WR Casey Washington caught nine passes for a career-high 218 yards and recorded a career-high three touchdowns. QB John Paddock posted 334 passing yards and three scores, while WR Isaiah Williams, who threw his fifth-career touchdown pass (to Pat Bryant) in the fourth quarter, registered six catches for 57 yards. Defensively, DL Jer'Zhan Newton tallied two sacks. Paddock hit Washington for an 80-yard touchdown with 55 seconds to play. The Illini came up short on the ensuing two-point conversion try after a flag for defensive pass interference was waived off because of a tipped ball.
• The Illini last played at Wrigley in 2010, a 48-27 win over Northwestern, in the famous game that was played in one direction. Mikel Leshoure set an Illinois record with 330 rushing yards at the Friendly Confines. QB Nathan Scheelhaase ran for 97 yards, as Illinois finished with 519 rushing yards in the first football game at Wrigley Field in 40 years. 
• Illinois first played at Wrigley Field in 1923 when it was known as Cubs Park. The Illini and Red Grange shut out Northwestern, 29-0, in front of 25,774 fans. Grange carried 12 times for 104 yards and three rushing touchdowns, threw one pass for 13 yards, caught one pass for 26 yards, had one interception and returned it for 90 yards, and had three punt returns for 31 yards in his fourth career game. Illinois went 8-0 in 1923 and was crowned national champions.

Illinois-Northwestern Connections

• Illinois senior DL TeRah Edwards spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Northwestern, playing in six games for the Wildcats before transferring to Illinois. Edwards has played in all 36 games as an Illini over the last three seasons, including starts in all 11 games this year. 
• Northwestern defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Tim McGarigle coached linebackers at Illinois during the 2016 season.

COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF)