Illinois-NU Gameday Binoculars: Blogging, Commentary & Analysis

6:07 p.m. Update: Illinois is bowl-eligible following a 48-27 victory against Northwestern at Wrigley Field.

Junior Illini running back Mikel Leshoure was an absolute beast, rushing the ball 33 times for an amazing 330 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Congratulations to the Illini on the big victory.

Despite the last two weeks, this team deserved to play in a bowl game this season.

Writing Illini will review the game tape later and get some comments up on the site.

1^st Quarter

Stefan Demos kicks off to start the game. Darius Millines returns kick to the Illinois 34.

Illinois ball on its own 34 with 14:45 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 34: Mikel Leshoure rushes to the Northwestern 34.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 34: Leshoure rushes to the 4.

1^st and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 4: Leshoure rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 6, Northwestern 0

Derek Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 7, Northwestern 0

Dimke kicks off to the 4 yard line. Venric Mark returns kick to the 30.

Northwestern ball on its own 30 with 13:43 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 30: Evan Watkins throws pass away.

2^nd and 10 Northwestern from its own 30: Mike Trumpy rushes to the 36.

3^rd and 4 Northwestern from its own 36: Watkins sacked by Martez Wilson. Watkins fumbles the ball. Clay Nurse recovers for Illinois.

Illinois ball on the Northwestern 30 with 12:50 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 30: Nathan Scheelhaase rushes to the 28.

2^nd and 8 Illinois from the Northwestern 28: Scheelhaase rushes to the 19.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 19: Scheelhaase rushes to the 13.

2^nd and 4 Illinois from the Northwestern 13: Leshoure rushes to the 4.

1^st and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 4: Leshoure rushes to the 1.

2^nd and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 1: Leshoure rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 13, Northwestern 0

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 14, Northwestern 0

Dimke kicks off to the 25. Aaron Nagel returns kick to the 39.

Northwestern ball on its own 39 with 10:06 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 39: Venric Mark rushes to the 42. Ball fumbled out of bounds.

2^nd and 7 Northwestern from its own 42: Adonis Smith rushes to the 47.

3^rd and 2 Northwestern from its own 47: Kain Colter rushes to the Illinois 49.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 49: Watkins tackled for a loss at the 50.

2^nd and 11 Northwestern from the 50: Watkins pass complete to Sidney Stewart at the 37.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 37: Smith rushes to the 30. Nurse causes fumble. Michael Buchanan recovers ball on the 29.

Illinois ball on its own 29 with 7:33 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 29: Jason Ford rushes to the 44.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 44: Scheelhaase rushes to the Northwestern 35.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 35: Eddie McGee pass intercepted by Brian Peters. Peters returns pick for a touchdown.

Illinois 14, Northwestern 6

Demos makes PAT.

Illinois 14, Northwestern 7

Demos kicks off to the 16. Troy Pollard returns kick to the 27.

Illinois ball on its own 27 with 6:10 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 27: Leshoure rushes to the Northwestern 3.

1^st and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 3: Leshoure tackled for a loss at the 5.

2^nd and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 5: Ford rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 20, Northwestern 7

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 21, Northwestern 7

Dimke kicks off to the 5. Stephen Simmons returns kick to the 28.

Northwestern ball on its own 28 with 4:52 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 28: Watkins pass incomplete to Trumpy.

2^nd and 10 Northwestern from its own 28: Trumpy rushes to the 34.

3^rd and 4 Northwestern from its own 34: Watkins intercepted by Ian Thomas, returned to the 30.

Illinois ball on the Northwestern 30 with 3:56 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 30: Penalty on Northwestern. Facemask, 15 yards repeat 1^st down.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 15: Scheelhaase rushes to the 7.

2^nd and 2 Illinois from the Northwestern 7: Penalty on Illinois. Holding, 10 yards repeat 2^nd down.

2^nd and 12 Illinois from the Northwestern 17: Leshoure tackled for a loss at the 18.

3^rd and 13 Illinois from the Northwestern 18: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins at the 11.

4^th and 6 Illinois from the Northwestern 11: Dimke misses field goal.

Northwestern ball on its own 20 with 1:12 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 20: Trumpy rushes 80 yards for a touchdown.

Illinois 21, Northwestern 13

Demos makes PAT.

Illinois 21, Northwestern 14

Demos kicks off to the 18. Pollard returns kick to the Illinois 46.

Illinois ball on its own 46 with 1:00 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 46: Scheelhaase rushes to the Northwestern 49.

2^nd and 5 Illinois from the Northwestern 49: Leshoure rushes to the 42.

Thoughts after the first quarter:

Illinois needs to keep Northwestern from making the big plays. The Illini should be up 21-0 but a costly interception by McGee and terrible coverage that allowed for an 80 yard run have allowed the Wildcats to hang around. After the last two games, Illinois can not afford another back and forth game late. The Illini need to build on their lead going into the half.

2^nd Quarter

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 42: Scheelhaase rushes to the 35.

2^nd and 3 Illinois from the Northwestern 35: Leshoure rushes to the 33.

3^rd and 1 Illinois from the Northwestern 33: Leshorue rushes to the 29.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 29: Leshoure rushes to the 25.

2^nd and 6 Illinois from the Northwestern 25: Scheelhaase sacked at the 29.

3^rd and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 29: Scheelhaase incomplete to Ryan Lankford.

4^th and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 29: Dimke makes field goal.

Illinois 24, Northwestern 14

Dimke kicks off to the 6. Simmons returns kick to the 29.

Northwestern ball on its own 29 with 11:55 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 29: Watkins throws ball away.

2^nd and 10 Northwestern from its own 29: Trumpy rushes to the 31.

3^rd and 8 Northwestern from its own 31: Watkins rushes to the 32.

4^th and 7 Northwestern from its own 32: Brandon Williams punts to the 20. Jack Ramsey calls for fair catch.

Illinois ball on its own 20 with 10:28 remianing.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 20: Leshorue rushes to the 21.

2^nd and 9 Illinois from its own 21: Scheelhaase rushes to the 24.

3^rd and 6 Illinois from its own 24: Scheelhaase pass incomplete.

4^th and 6 Illinois from its own 24: Anthony Santella punts to the 33. Mark returns punt to the Illinois 14.

Northwestern ball on the Illinois 14 with 8:43 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 14: Trumpy tackled at the 16.

2^nd and 12 Northwestern from the Illinois 16: Colter rushes to the 14.

3^rd and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 14: Watkins pass incomplete.

4^th and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 14: Demos makes field goal.

Illinois 24, Northwestern 17

Demos kicks off to the 17. Pollard returns kick to the 35.

Illinois ball on its own 35 with 7:19 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 35: Scheelhaase pass incomplete to McGee.

2^nd and 10 Illinois from its own 35: Leshoure rushes to the 37.

3^rd and 8 Illinois from its own 37: Scheelhaase pass intercepted by Peters at the Northwestern 25.

Northwestern ball on its own 25 with 6:22 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 25: Trumpy rushes to the 27.

2^nd and 8 Northwestern from its own 27: Watkins pass complete to Stewart at the Northwestern 46.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 46: Trumpy rushes to the 47.

2^nd and 9 Northwestern from its own 47: Watkins pass complete to Trumpy at the Illinois 45.

3^rd and 1 Northwestern from the Illinois 45: Colter rushes to the 41.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 41: Watkins pass complete to Tony Jones at the 9.

1^st and Goal Northwestern from the Illinois 9: Smith rushes to the 2.

2^nd and Goal Northwestern from the Illinois 2: Trumpy rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 24, Northwestern 23

Demos makes PAT.

Illinois 24, Northwestern 24

Demos kicks off to the 11. Millines returns kick to the 19. Penalty on Illinois. Illegal block, loss of 10 yards.

Illinois ball on its own 9 with 2:53 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 9: Leshoure tackled at the 5.

2^nd and 14 Illinois from its own 5: Leshoure rushes to the 12.

3^rd and 7 Illinois from its own 12: Scheelhaase rushes to the 21.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 21: Scheelhaase pass incomplete to Evan Wilson.

2^nd and 10 Illinois from its own 21: Leshoure rushes to the Northwestern 40.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 40: Scheelhaase pass complete to Wilson at the 35.

2^nd and 5 Illinois from the Northwestern 35: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins at the 31.

3^rd and 1 Illinois from the Northwestern 31: Scheelhaase rushes to the 28.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 28: Scheelhaase rushes to the 27.

2^nd and 9 Illinois from the Northwestern 27: Scheelhaase rushes to the 22.

3^rd and 4 Illinois from the Northwestern 22: Dimke makes field goal.

Illinois 27, Northwestern 24

Thoughts at the half:

Illinois can’t feel good being up at the half. The Wildcats get the ball to start the second half and the game is uncomfortably close. Illinois really needs to pull away and create some cushion so its defense is not put in the same situation that it was in last weekend. Leshoure is by far the player of the half, he already has over 180 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

3^rd Quarter

Dimke kicks off into the endzone for a touchback.

Northwestern ball on its own 20 with 15:00 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 20: Trumpy rushes to the 21.

2^nd and 9 Northwestern from its own 21: Watkins pass complete to Trumpy at the 25.

3^rd and 5 Northwestern from its own 25: Watkins pass incomplete to Jones.

4^th and 5 Northwestern from its own 25: Williams punts to the Illinois 39. Ramsey calls for a fair catch.

Illinois ball on its own 39 with 13:35 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 39: Leshoure rushes to the 44.

2^nd and 5 Illinois from its own 44: Ford rushes to the Northwestern 48.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 48: Leshoure rushes for no gain.

2^nd and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 48: Scheelhaase pass complete to Leshoure at the 37.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 37: Ford rushes to the 34.

2^nd and 7 Illinois from the Northwestern 34: Ford rushes to the 28.

3^rd and 1 Illinois from the Northwestern 28: Ford rushes to the 25.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 25: Scheelhaase throws ball away.

2^nd and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 25: Pollard rushes to the 19.

3^rd and 4 Illinois from the Northwestern 19: Leshoure rushes to the 16.

4^th and 1 Illinois from the Northwestern 16: Scheelhaase rushes to the 15.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 15: Scheelhaase rushes for no gain.

2^nd and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 15: Ford rushes to the 10.

3^rd and 5 Illinois from the Northwestern 10: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins for a touchdown.

Illinois 33, Northwestern 24

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 34, Northwestern 24

Dimke kicks off to the 7. Simmons returns kick to the 20.

Northwestern ball on its own 20 with 6:50 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern form its own 20: Trumpy rushes to the 23.

2^nd and 7 Northwestern from its own 23: Watkins pass incomplete to Sidney Stewart.

3^rd and 7 Northwestern from its own 23: Watkins rushes to the 29.

4^th and 1 Northwestern from its own 29: Williams punt downed at the Illinois 10.

Illinois ball on its own 10 with 5:15 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 10: Leshoure rushes to the 24.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 24: Leshoure rushes to the 26.

2^nd and 8 Illinois from its own 26: Ford rushes to the 33.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 33: Scheelhaase pass complete to Brandon Denmark at the 38.

2^nd and 7 Illinois from its own 38: Leshoure tackled for a loss of 2.

3^rd and 9 Illinois from its own 36: Leshoure rushes to the 41.

4^th and 4 Illinois from its own 41: Santella punts into the end zone for a touchback.

Northwestern ball on its own 20 with 0:36 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 20: Trumpy rushes to the 33.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 33: Watkins pass complete to Drake Dunsmore at the 47.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 47: Watkins rushes to the Illinois 29.

Thoughts after the third quarter:

Illinois did a good job keeping Northwestern out of the end zone this quarter. They are extending their lead and the defense has played the best it has in the past three games. Illinois must at least hold Northwestern to a field goal here to keep the score from getting too close. If Leshoure can have some more big runs and allow Scheelhaase to have an easier time passing the ball.

4^th Quarter

1^st and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 29: Watkins pass complete to Smith for a loss of 1.

2^nd and 11 Northwestern from the Illinois 30: Watkins pass incomplete to Stewart.

3^rd and 11 Northwestern from the Illinois 30: Watkins sacked by Wilson at the 36.

4^th and 17 Northwestern from the Illinois 36: Williams punts for a touchback.

Illinois ball on its own 20 with 13:29 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 20: Leshoure rushes to the 29.

2^nd and 1 Illinois from its own 29: Ford rushes to the 33.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 33: Scheelhaase sacked at the 30.

2^nd and 13 Illinois from its own 30: Leshoure rushes to the Northwestern 8.

1^st and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 8: Ford rushes to the 5.

2^nd and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 5: Scheelhaase rushes to the 2.

3^rd and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 2: Ford rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 40, Northwestern 24

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 41, Northewestern 24

Dimke kicks off to the 17. Simmons returns kick to the 43.

Northwestern ball on its own 43 with 9:49 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 43: Watkins pass complete to Jeremy Ebert for a loss of 2.

2^nd and 12 Northwestern from its own 41: Watkins pass complete to Ebert at the Illinois 30.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 30: Watkins throws ball away.

2^nd and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 30: Watkins pass complete to Jones at the 11.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from the Illinois 11: Simmons rushes to the 5.

2^nd and 4 Northwestern from the Illinois 5: Watkins tackled at the 8.

3^rd and 7 Northwestern from the Illinois 8: Demos makes field goal.

Illinois 41, Northwestern 27

Demos kicks off to the 11. Pollard returns kick to the 27.

Illinois ball on its own 27 with 7:43 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 27: Leshoure rushes to the 44.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 44: Ford rushes to the 47.

2^nd and 7 Illinois from its own 47: Ford tackled at the 45.

3^rd and 9 Illinois from its own 45: Scheelhaase rushes to the Northwestern 43.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 43: Ford rushes to the 31.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 31: Ford rushes to the 22.

2^nd and 1 Illinois from the Northwestern 22: Leshoure rushes to the 18.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Northwestern 18: Leshorue rushes to the 13.

2^nd and 5 Illinois from the Northwestern 13: Leshoure rushes for no gain.

3^rd and 5 Illinois from the Northwestern 13: Scheelhaase rushes to the 7.

1^st and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 7: Scheelhaase rushes to the 4.

2^nd and Goal Illinois from the Northwestern 4: Leshoure rushes to the 1.

3^rd and Goal Illinois form the Northwestern 1: Ford rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 47, Northwestern 27

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinos 48, Northwestern 27

Dimke kicks off to the 30. Tyler Scott returns to the 40.

Northwestern ball on its own 40 with 0:35 remaining.

1^st and 10 Northwestern from its own 40: Trumpy rushes to the 43.

End Of Game.

Final Score: Illinois 48, Northwestern 27

Big win for Illinois. Be sure to check in on Monday for a recap of Illinois win and what it means for Illinois postseason ambitions.