Illinois edges Northwestern 39-37 in another tight Battle for the Land of Lincoln
The Wildcats stayed within reach behind Tom McGlinchey and Mar'Kel Porter, but Illinois leaned on Nick Doss, Quincy Bellows and three takeaways to finish the job.
Saturday's Battle for the Land of Lincoln lived up to its name, but Illinois Fighting Illini survived a 39-37 scare against the Northwestern Wildcats. The Illini needed overtime to finish it, and the Wildcats made the rivalry game far closer than the matchup appeared on paper.
Nick Doss powered Illinois with 222 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Quincy Bellows accounted for 147 total yards and ripped off a 75-yard reception. Illinois also forced three turnovers, with interceptions by Jacob Eberhart and Vi'Naz Cobb, and held Northwestern to 3 of 13 on third down.
Northwestern still found offensive answers, with Tom McGlinchey catching passes for 65 yards and two scores for a season high, and Mar'Kel Porter adding 34 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats spread the work around, but the three interceptions and Illinois' third-down defense proved too much to overcome.
Illinois has won three of its last four and improved to 9-3, while Northwestern dropped to 6-6 on a three-game losing streak.
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