Sullivan
Illini.
Metaphorically, Illinois is the equivalent of a piece of gum on the bottom of Northwestern’s shoes. Eventually you knew the gum would be scraped off, but watching the process play out was difficult.
On Illinois’ opening drive, three Northwestern defenders had a chance at an interception of Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters’ pass, all on the same play. On the Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage, sophomore running back Drake Anderson fumbled inside their own 10 before Illini kicker James McCourt muffed a 32-yard field goal attempt.
But fortunately for Northwestern, the Illini continued to self-destruct thereafter, a recurring theme in the Lovie Smith era. And once they got the offense going, the Wildcats didn’t stop.
Northwestern wound up with 493 total yards, including 411 on the ground, thanks mostly to freshmen Evan Hull and Cam Porter.
Northwestern came in averaging 130 rushing yards per game, ranked 10th in the conference. Porter had 8 carries and 32 yards all season, only to gain 142 yards on 24 attempts Saturday, while Hull finished with 149 yards on 13 carries after entering the game with only 50 yards on 10 attempts.
The time for patience with his other backs apparently is over.
“They all want to carry the ball and they all want to play, and I get it, I understand it,” Fitzgerald said. “But it’s a production business, and two guys obviously, Evan and Cam, played outstanding football today.”
The Illini, meanwhile, were a complete mess. A couple of late hits, including a targeting penalty on Derrick Smith that got the Illini safety ejected, showed what an undisciplined team is capable of under a coach with nothing to lose. After punter Blake Hayes rambled for 20 yards on a fake punt on fourth-and-10 in the second quarter with the Illini trailing only 7-3, another drive stalled. Smith inexplicably called for a 53yard field-goal attempt McCourt had no chance of making on a rainy, windy day.
That basically was the end for the Illini, who have suffered through five straight losing seasons since Smith took over the program in 2016. He’s also winless in the rivalry game played for Lincoln’s hat, which made the trash-talking by his senior linebacker even more inexcusable.
“If anybody would like to say anything derogatory to our players, please say so repeatedly this week,” Fitzgerald said. “I’d really appreciate the motivation.”
Facing the Buckeyes, he’ll need all the help he can get.