The 2025 regular season is over, and the Illinois football team went out on top.
It was not a pretty game due to incredibly tough conditions. Snow rained down all day in Champaign, leading to a wet, snowy, and slick field. The Illini still managed to forge ahead, though.
This was a close game throughout. Northwestern would get a little momentum, but then they would have a bad turnover. Illinois didn’t manage to do much with those turnovers offensively, which kept the Wildcats in the game.
A 14-10 halftime lead for the Illini increased by game’s end. Illinois managed to avoid the upset and take home the Land of Lincoln Trophy and retain the coveted hat, winning the game 20-13.
Here are five big observations from the Illinois football win over Northwestern
1. Illinois took advantage of opportunities
This ended up being a close game, and it is kind of crazy it was only one score if you think about it. Illinois was forcing turnovers left and right, and the score still only read 20-13 at the end of the game.
I was pleased with the Illini’s ability to take advantage of turnover opportunities. We didn’t let many slip away, as the ball was laid in front of us quite a bit.
Illinois forced Preston Stone into four total turnovers, three of which were interceptions. The Illini were able to tip passes, and this gave us an opportunity to have an interception. We were in good position most of the night, and Miles Scott took advantage of those moments.
Stone then fumbled the ball trying to go for it on fourth down, and this helped us stop them on a big play in the game.
There was only one time when Illinois didn’t take advantage of a potential turnover. The ball was loose, and multiple Illini tried to pick it up rather than jump on the ball. This could have easily been another turnover.
Overall, as far as takeaways and stops go, I liked that Illinois took advantage of the opportunities. If only the offense could have capitalized on those opportunities.
2. Luke Altmyer managed through tough conditions
At the end of observation No. 1, I mentioned that the Illinois offense didn’t take advantage of the turnovers. This is true, but it is also true that the conditions in the game weren’t great either.
Illinois had to manage through snow and slush throughout the contest. This isn’t easy when you are passing the football, and Luke Altmyer experienced it firsthand.
When you read the stat line for Altmyer, you won’t be impressed. He was 10-of-15 for 136 yards. Let me tell you, that is a good stat line. That is exactly what Illinois needed, especially with the way things were crumbling on the other sideline.
The Illini needed Altmyer not to make mistakes. We couldn’t afford to have multiple interceptions. There was only one blemish by the Illini quarterback, and that was a fumble deep in our territory.
Altmyer managed through the tough conditions on Saturday. It wasn’t an easy game for anyone, and to come out with a victory in his last regular season game for the Illini was something special.
3. I was impressed with Ca’Lil Valentine
As the 2025 season is coming to a close, it is always interesting to see what Illinois has coming back next year.
Ca’Lil Valentine has the runway to be a star for the Orange and Blue. He was a four-star recruit, and over the last two seasons, he has shown sparks of greatness with the program.
On Saturday against Northwestern, I thought Valentine played one of his best games as a member of this program. He was running well, and his quick movements had Northwestern skating on the slick surface.
Valentine finished the game with 14 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. At one time, I was hoping he would break his career high of 95 yards, set earlier this year, but Illinois started to go more toward Aidan Laughery late in the game.
Regardless, I love what Illinois has coming back next season. An offseason of strength and conditioning, and Valentine should be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten in 2026.
4. The two glaring issues flared up for Illinois
A victory is a victory, and I am so proud of how this team didn’t fold up shop after being eliminated from the College Football Playoff.
With that being said, the two big issues flared up for the Illini on Saturday. Let’s first start with the offensive line.
Once again, I was disappointed with how the Illinois offensive line performed. Altmyer barely had time throughout the game, and that was a reason he didn’t have more yards through the air.
Illinois has landed a few players to help with this situation in 2026, but there is still plenty of work to do. Even on a fumble later in the game, Illinois had Melvin Priestly just standing around while the ball was rolling by his feet. At least jump on the ball if you aren’t blocking.
The second glaring issue is the secondary. I know that Illinois had three interceptions against Stone, but only one of those interceptions was an actual good play. Scott read Stone’s eyes and had a huge interception late. But the other two picks were right in the breadbasket of the defensive back.
Illinois was getting picked apart on the outside. Stone was able to throw out routes easily, and I am not sure why they went away from that.
Much like the offensive line, there is work to do this offseason with the secondary. Bielema has already started on this effort, and we should see an improved Illinois defense in 2026.
5. Gabe Jacas showed out in, potentially, his final game for the Illini
One of the greatest defensive players in the past couple of decades went out on a high note on Saturday.
Gabe Jacas might not end up being the All-American type of player that most wanted, but he has had a major impact on this program. He is second all-time in sacks in Illinois history, and he played so well on Saturday in his final regular season contest.
Jacas was a nightmare for Northwestern. He had four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in the game. When a ball carrier came his way, he would make the play. This kid was all over the field and a huge reason why the Wildcats only had 13 points.
Having a player like Jacas on one side of the field takes away so many options for an offense. He has to get double-teamed a lot, and when he doesn’t, he has a great swim move that can get around an offensive tackle.
Illinois is going to miss this kid. He was one of the best players on a resurging Illinois roster. If this ends up being his last game as a member of this program, it was a great way to go out.