Season Will End Without A Bowl Game For Illinois After 45-43 Loss To Northwestern
The rollercoaster of the season has ended for the Illini after falling to the Wildcats 45-43.
The Illini finish the year 5-7, which means no post season bowl game. The game, like the season, was filled with ups and downs. After starting down 14-3 in the first half, Illini quarterback John Paddock was able to find Casey Washington for a touchdown to make it a four-point game. Later, Illini defensive Miles Scott picked off Northwestern quarterback Ben Bryant.
Scott returned this interception to the endzone to give the Illini the lead 20-14, and all the momentum.
However, the Wildcats drove 75 yards the next possession to score a controversial touchdown. Northwestern running back Cam Porter fumbled the ball into the endzone, which was recovered by the ‘Cats.
Many believed the Illini may have recovered it, but lack of indisputable evidence put the Wildcats up 21-20 at the half.
The majority of the second half, the Illini and the Wildcats traded blows before a muffed punt from Illinois receiver Isiah Williams in the fourth quarter changed the game. The Wildcats recovered and scored on the following drive to take the lead 35-31. On the subsequent kickoff, Illini return man, Kenari Whicher fumbled right into Northwestern’s Garner Wallace, who was able to score to put the Wildcats up 42-31.
The Illini closed the gap to 42-37 after Paddock threw a touchdown pass to Casey Washington. Northwestern then increased the lead to 45-37, and after a couple of drives for each team, the Illini had a chance to tie with a little over a minute remaining.
To use Brett Bielema’s words when talking to media postgame, “This year has been a very frustrating season with how things unfolded.”
These words perfectly sum up this year. This has been one of the tougher seasons for fans, who are left wondering what the future holds.
Sam King is a contributor to Illini Now. He can be reached at sjking258@gmail.com.