Nov. 22, 2001

Recap?|?Notes | Final Stats

Illinois vs. Northwestern
Illinois Player Quotes

Kurt Kittner - QB
On today's game:
We played consistent throughout the game. We didn't have to rely on big plays.

On Team:
"It's great the way our offense and defense has been able to respond so well in close games all season."

On season:
"You can't ask to end your career on a bigger note, winning the Big Ten Championship in your last home game on Thanksgiving with your family watching."

Muhammad Abdullah - FS
On possibility of an 11-win season:
"It's real exciting to think we can do it in the long history of this school. Everybody fought hard all season."

On close games:
"It's the Big Ten, when we're on top, every team is bringing their best game every week."

Brandon Lloyd
On winning the Big Ten:
"Now that we've won the Big Ten, it's time to move on to bigger and better things."

On season:
"This is exactly what I expected. I expected us to come together as a team and win the Big Ten Championship."

Northwestern Head Coach Randy Walker Postgame Quotes

Walker on Northwestern's last possession of the first half
"I didn't like our field position. I have a healthy respect for the Illinois offense and Kurt Kittner. I didn't want them to have the ball with the wind."

Walker on the game
"We had our share of miscues and errors, but that is the game of football."

Walker on his team's final game of the year
"Obviously, drawing a close on a season is always difficult."

Walker on the Illinois defense
"They played pretty good defensively. I think they are physical and get off the blocks pretty well. They are good at what they do. I think we are tough to defend if we are executing."

Walker on coming up short in the fourth quarter
"It was disappointing. We gave ourselves a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Illinois made the plays that champions make."

Northwestern Player Quotes

Kunle Patrick, WR
On incomplete catch at the end:
"It was in the sun and I just couldn't adjust in time on the ball."

Napoleon Harris, DE
On defense:
"Illinois' a great team, they made the plays they needed, but when we needed a stop we felt we could stop them."

On week preparing:
"We came to win today and we prepared to win, but Illinois made the big plays when they needed them just like they have all season."

Torri Stuckey, RB
On picking up blitzes:
"I knew they were going to blitz and I just had to find the few holes they leave open to get the yards I knew I could get."

On today's game:
"I wanted to play my heart out for the seniors today and I felt I did that but unfortunately we came up short."