CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois football celebrates its Senior Night on Nov. 29, when it battles Northwestern for the Land of Lincoln trophy. The 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on FOX represents the first November night game in Gies Memorial Stadium history.
Illinois (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) will face Northwestern (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) for the 119th time in program history. The Illini are 58-55-5 all-time against Northwestern. Last season, the Fighting Illini defeated the Wildcats 38-28 at the historic Wrigley Field, propelled to victory by a trio of rushing touchdowns from Aidan Laughery and four takeaways on defense.
Illinois is led by Luke Altmyer, who continues to own top 25 marks nationally in completion percentage (17th, .681), passing efficiency (19th, 157.73), and passing touchdowns (24th, 21). Defensively, Gabe Jacas moved into sole possession of second place on the all-time sacks list (25.0) after adding two against Wisconsin. Jacas trails only Illini career leader Simeon Rice (44.5 from 1992-95).
Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst) have the television broadcast on FOX. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Michael Martin (sideline).
Press Conference
Notes
Battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy
• Illinois and Northwestern play for the Land of Lincoln trophy on Saturday, the 17th battle for the relatively new rivalry trophy. Illinois is 6-10 against Northwestern since the beginning of the Land of Lincoln trophy.
• Illinois owns Land of Lincoln trophy wins in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2014, 2011 and 2010.
• The Fighting Illini and Wildcats played for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk from 1947-2008. Illinois led the traditional trophy series by a 32-28-2 mark, but Northwestern won the final meeting for the Tomahawk with its 27-10 win in 2008. The Tomahawk was retired following the 2008 season.
• Illinois and Northwestern are tied, 38-38-2 in the combined trophy series (Sweet Sioux Tomahawk and Land of Lincoln Trophy).
• The Land of Lincoln Trophy, a bronze replica of a stovepipe hat famously worn by Abraham Lincoln, was chosen by fans of both schools in 2009 in an online vote to replace the 62-year-old Tomahawk Trophy.
The Illinois-Northwestern Series
• Saturday's game is the 119th meeting between Illinois and Northwestern. Illinois leads 58-55-5.
• Last season, the Fighting Illini capped a nine-win regular season with a 38-28 victory over the Wildcats to regain the Land of Lincoln Trophy at a frigid Wrigley Field behind an all-out team effort. Aidan Laughery rushed for a career-high 172 yards, including touchdowns of 30, 64, and 31 yards. Pat Bryant tallied four catches for 70 yards and tied the single-season receiving touchdown record with his 10th score of the year, while Zakhari Franklin moved into the top 10 on the FBS career reception list, finishing with three catches for 54 yards. Luke Altmyer went 10-for-17 with 170 yards and two total touchdowns. The Illini defense came away with four takeaways in the win over the Wildcats. Xavier Scott, Mac Resetich, and Torrie Cox Jr. all posted interceptions. Juice Clarke recorded a game-high 12 tackles (eight solo) while Malachi Hood forced the two fumbles and notched two sacks.
• In the last matchup at Gies Memorial Stadium in 2023, Illinois came up just short in a 45-43 seasonending loss that snapped the Illini's two-game winning streak in the series. Several Illini had sensational senior day performances in the final games of their careers at Illinois. Casey Washington caught nine passes for a career-high 218 yards and recorded a career-high three touchdowns. John Paddock posted 334 passing yards and three scores, while Isaiah Williams, who threw his fifth-career touchdown pass (to Pat Bryant) in the fourth quarter, registered six catches for 57 yards. Defensively, Jer'Zhan Newton tallied two sacks. Paddock hit Washington for an 80-yard touchdown with 55 seconds to play. The Illini came up short on the ensuing two-point conversion try after a flag for defensive pass interference was waived off because of a tipped ball.
• Illinois' most receiving yards vs. Northwestern (since 1945): 268, A.J. Jenkins 10/1/2011
• Illinois' most rushing yards vs. Northwestern (since 1945): 330, Mikel Leshoure 11/20/2010
• Illinois' most passing yards vs. Northwestern (since 1945): 409, Tony Eason 11/21/1981
• Illinois' longest rush vs. Northwestern (since 1945): 86, Rashard Mendenhall 11/18/2006
• Illinois' longest pass vs. Northwestern (since 1945): 80, John Paddock to Casey Washington 11/25/2023
• Last 100-yard receiving game vs. Northwestern: 218, Casey Washington 11/25/2023
• Last 100-yard rushing game vs. Northwestern: 172, Aidan Laughery 11/20/2024
• Last 300-yard passing game vs. Northwestern: 334, John Paddock 11/25/2023
