Nov 22, 2003

Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes

By JIM PAUL
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Jason Wright ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns to lead Northwestern to a 37-20 victory over Illinois Saturday in the season finale for both teams.

Noah Herron also carried for 163 yards as the Wildcats turned entirely to their running game in the second half. Quarterback Brett Basanez's only pass attempt after halftime was nullified by an Illinois penalty.

The win makes Northwestern (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten) eligible for their first bowl game since 2000.

Illinois (1-11, 0-8) lost its 10th game in a row to end its worst season since going 0-11 in 1997, coach Ron Turner's first season.

Northwestern trailed at halftime 13-7, but took over in the third quarter behind Wright and Herron. The two carried the ball for 154 yards on the next two drives as the Wildcats grabbed a 20-13 lead.

Brian Huffman kicked a 38-yard field goal and Marvin Ward returned an interception 69 yards for Northwestern's other scores. Basanez was 3-of-9 for 24 yards.

The Illini scored the game's first points when John Gockman kicked a 37-yard field goal to cap a 59-yard drive with 8:25 left in the first quarter. It was the first time in nine games that Illinois scored first.

On the next drive, faced with third-and-22, Basanez tried a pass to the right flat, but Illini safety Travis Williams stepped in front of the Wildcats' Roger Jordan to intercept and ran 32 yards for a touchdown. The Illini scored twice within 1:01 for a 10-0 lead, their biggest lead since the second game of the season when they beat Illinois State 49-22.

But Northwestern got things together on the next drive, handing the ball to Wright four times on a seven-play drive. Wright carried for 55 of the 59 yards on the drive, scoring the touchdown on a 1-yard run.

Illinois' offense stalled under Dustin Ward, who left early in the third quarter after hitting 14 of 27 attempts for only 93 yards and three interceptions. Freshman Chris Pazan replaced him and finished 18 of 28 for 188 yards.

Fullback Carey Davis rushed for 51 yards and 10 passes for 44 yards for Illinois. E.B. Halsey ran for 49 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown.