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Illinois Postgame Notes
Illinois 47, Northwestern 33
Ryan Field // Nov. 29, 2014 // Attendance: 31,137

Team Notes

1. Illinois improved to 6-6 on the season with today's win, clinching bowl eligibility for the first time since 2011 and for the third time in the last five years after winning the 2010 Texas Bowl (over Baylor) and 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (over UCLA).

2. Illinois re-claimed the "Land of Lincoln" trophy in the sixth battle for the relatively new rivalry trophy. The Illini last held the trophy in 2011 with a 38-35 come-from-behind win. With today's victory, Illinois leads the all-time series against Northwestern with a 55-48-5 record.

3. The Illini rushed for a season-high 291 yards, the most since running for 308 yards at Indiana on Oct. 8, 2011. Illinois was led by two plus 90-yard rushing performances in QB Reilly O'Toole (147) and RB Josh Ferguson (95).

4. Illinois' 47 total points scored is the highest total this season and most since totaling 48 against Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Nov. 20, 2010.

5. The Orange and Blue forced five turnovers - with three interceptions and two fumbles - good for the their season high in takeaways. The Illini last had five takeaways in a game at Michigan on Nov. 6, 2010.

6. Illinois held Northwestern to 62 total yards in the first half, while the Illini totaled 255 yards entering halftime. Illinois totaled 438 yards in the game, compared to Northwestern's 372. In the last two games, Illinois held Penn State and Northwestern to an average of 318.5 yards and forced six takeaways, while giving only giving up one. In the first 10 games, the Illini defense gave up an average of 493.5 yards and had 12 takeaways.

7. The Illini scored 12 points of Northwestern turnovers in the first half and took a 26-7 lead into halftime. Illinois finished with 19 points off turnovers.

8. The Illini defense has scored four times this season, including one today on LB Mason Monheim's 49-yard interception return of QB Zack Oliver in the fourth quarter. Entering today, Illinois ranked 18th in FBS and is tied for Ohio State and Michigan State for the Big ten lead with three defensive scores.

Individual Notes

1. WR Mike Dudek continued his stellar freshman season adding seven receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown. His total of 69 receptions moved him into a tie for fifth the UI season receptions list with Hall of Famer David Williams (69 catches in 1983). He also moved to ninth in season receiving yardage at 965 yards, passing WR coach Mike Bellamy (927 yards in 1989) and David Williams (958 yards in 1983). With his 14-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter, Dudek tied David Williams' freshman TD receptions record of six. Dudek already owns UI freshman marks for receptions and receiving yards.

2. In his fifth start of the season, senior quarterback Reilly O'Toole commanded the offense to 438 total yards. O'Toole completed 17-of-28 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the Illini with a career-high 147 rushing yards, the first time in his career he rushed for 100 yards.

3. Junior running back Josh Ferguson totaled 95 rushing and 37 receiving yards on the day. His game-high 42-yard catch and run setup his 1-yard run for a touchdown in the first quarter. He also busted a 46-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Ferguson moved to sixth on the UI career all-purpose yardage list.

4. Senior STAR Earnest Thomas III picked of QB Zack Oliver in the first quarter for his second-career interception. His last interception came against Western Michigan Sept. 1 2012.

5. Junior corner back Eaton Spence recorded his first interception in the second quarter when he picked QB Zack Oliver.

6. Junior linebacker Mason Monheim was in on two of the five Illini turnovers, pouncing on a Northwestern fumble in the second quarter and then sealing the game with a 49-yarc pick-six late in the fourth quarter to put Illinois up three scores.

7. Senior punter Justin DuVernois continued his stellar junior season, averaging 42.6 yards per punt on five attempts with four punts placed inside the 20.

8. Junior free safety Clayton Fejedelem led the Illini with a career-high 12 tackles.