Illinois vs Northwestern for the first annual Land of Lincoln Trophy.

Welcome to the first annual Land of Lincoln trophy game between Illinois and Northwestern. Ron Zook's team needs to win out to go to a bowl, but first things first, beat the Wildcats.

I'm heading to the field now so this will be the end of the game blog... Check back after the game for quotes and a wrap up.

The Illini came so close to holding the Wildcats to a 3 and out, but pass interference was called on freshman corner Terry Hawthorne.

Illinois attempts a sneak onside kick and comes close to recovering the ball, but a great catch and secure by Hunter Bates keeps the ball with Northwestern.

Jacob Charest runs in for the touchdown! Now we attempt the two point conversion, but it falls no good. The fans here at Memorial sure didn't seem to like that much, they wanted a flag for pass interference.

Charest had Leshoure wide open, but he waited too long and by the time he threw it, Leshoure had gone too far to come back and get it.

Rejus Benn is down for the Illini. After a few minutes he popped up and ran off under his own power. Good to see.

Charest has us in the red zone for what I believe is the first time in the second half.

Jason Ford fumbles, but Jeff Allen recovers his second Illini fumble of the game.

Already you can see the difference in the offense from McGee to Charest. Eddie's a good kid who works hard, but he's not a Big Ten caliber quarterback.

Jacob Charest back in at quarterback.

416-205... that's how bad the Wildcats are beating us when they have the ball... and 300 of those yards came through the air. You're not going to win many like that.

Nate Bussey is limping off of the field after that extra point.

Arby Fields gets into the end zone, and with 13:30 left the Illini are really going to have to come out shooting to have a chance.

Tavon Wilson is getting beaten to the sidelines, and there have been a few big plays because of it.

Garrett Edwards just got called for a 15 yarder for roughing the passer. Northwestern looks really good with the short pass.

60,523 is today's announced attendance.

Northwestern is getting the ball back, and I have to say that I'm not liking the Eddie McGee offense. I know Charest had a shaky first half, but at least we were moving the ball some. Northwestern is stacking the box because they aren't scared of Eddie's arm.

Eddie McGee still in the game, and things have gotten very one dimensional... It has been all run since McGee took over.

Well, a punt stopping inside of the one isn't a whole lot of good when you let the other team march 99 yards... In fact, it's about as big of a momentum killer as there is for a defense. 14-3 Northwestern.

A great punt for the Illini, and Northwestern is literally inside of their 1 yard line.

PHEW!! McGee runs for a first down but fumbles... Jeff Allen recovers for the Illini... This is sort of confusing, Juice must really not be able to play.

Eddie McGee is in the game at quarterback... I didn't expect this.

The work has been done on defense, and now it's the offenses turn. Great way to start the half.

The Illini run defense has been great to this point. NW only put up 59 yards on the ground in the first half.

Donsay timed his hit just right, and the contact broke up that pass.

Dimke has a leg, I've seen some big kick offs from him this year.


How quickly things change. Charest was probably flying high right up until the point where he threw that pick. Here's to hoping that the young quarterback can just shake it off... and a defensive stop would go a long way towards taking some of the pressure off. Leshoure is running the ball well but not getting much help from his other backs. Ford started off looking good but has cooled since then. Let's just see some energy to start the half from a team who desperately needs a win.

28 yard touchdown pass from Kafka to Zeke Markshausen. 7-3 Northwestern, and that one hurts... The Illini were all set to go into halftime with at least a 3-0 lead, and in a matter of seconds we are losing, and the wildcats will get the ball back to start the half.

Northwestern is pretty good at the quick passing game. The Illini can't give up a touchdown here and then give the wildcats the ball to start the second half. 0:25 left in the half.

Illinois did a great job stopping Northwestern on downs and with 1:07 left in the half, Illinois will get the ball at the 43... right? Well we did, but the first play got picked over the middle.

Northwestern ball on their 16, 2:25 left in the half.

Illinois is forced to punt again. Obviously I'm glad to be winning, but it's a little disheartening that we haven't been able to put together a real drive.

Mikel Leshoure looked like he was about to be taken down early, but he fought for 10 yards.. He's really played with heart today.

The Illini are now starting inside their own ten yard line.

Fayson commits a mental error as he calls for the fair catch and then blocks the coverage.

Whitney Mercilus was just in on back to back tackles for loss.

The Illini were moving the ball, but again fell short of points. I know this offense can be dangerous, but it needs to be consistent.

It looks like Northwestern will save us here. It would have been third and 20, but a pass interference call gave the Illini a first down.

Wow what a play! Charest throws to McGee, McGee to Cumberland, Cumberland runs for about 14.

The defensive line is still causing problems for Northwestern. On that third down, Kafka had to flush out of the pocket and over threw his man on the run.

Tavon Wilson is chest bumping, but he just came very close to giving up a 35 yard pass... The WR simply dropped it when he hit the ground.

The Illini obviously have had enough of watching Eller miss field goals. Derek Dimke sends the ball through the uprights, and the Illini take a 3-0 lead, 12 minutes left in the half.

I'm not so sure about the play calling since we hit the red zone. Run, Run, throw on third and long.

Charest showed those feet he was talking about and ran for a nice first down on third and long. Good head by the freshman.

Leshoure showed great patience on that carry. There was nothing there, but after a hesitation, Mikel found 10 yards.

The first period comes to a close, and the score is still zero on both sides. Illinois has looked good on defense today with the exception of a couple of bad tackles. The offense looks like it has what it takes to move the ball, but like I said before, there is little consistency... I'm still waiting for that play-action pass from Charest.

Leshoure with another nice carry up the middle for 8 followed immediately by another for 11.

Both offenses are moving the ball in small amounts, but neither has a sense of rhythm.

Northwestern trying another field goal, this one about 48 yards... no good, it appeared to be wide left again.

Well, Doug Pilcher will get a sack for that, but he got lucky. He was being blocked, and I think Kafka just tripped over his ankle.

Charest almost hits Fayson up field on that third down play. As soon as he got off the field Juice ran to him, and you could tell they both saw how close that was to a big play.

Mikel Leshoure gets a carry and takes it for 13 yards and a first down.

Northwestern misses their field goal, and this game remains tied at 0. I'm interested to see whether we go down field on play action this drive.

Illinois holds on third down. Ian Thomas should get credit for a pass break up after that play.

Kafka passes long across the field a lot... If we jump a route, there's no way anyone would be able to catch up to a defender after an interception.

Donsay Hardeman is reverting back to his old ways... lowering his head and diving to tackle. He just missed his guy pretty badly.

Matt Eller just missed a field goal from less than 25 yards... that makes him 4 for 11 on the season, I believe, and very close to having the worst kicking percentage in the NCAA.

Charest may have overthrown Benn on that corner route to the back of the end zone, but he did a great job of putting the ball where only the receiver had a chance at it.

Jacob Charest to Jarred Fayson. It's great to have #11 back running routes for the Illini... 1st and ten from the 11.

Jack Ramsey was back to return the rugby punt, but after a 12 yard punt, Illinois takes over in great field position instead. Starting at the 35, we need to get some sort of points and set a pace for this game.

After a conference by the officials, NW is charged with intentional grounding. The Illini defensive line was in the backfield twice on that 3 and out.

Charest completing the short stuff early, but not for enough yardage to see a first down.

Daniel Dufrene gets the opening carry for the Illini... It's been a while since he's started.

Rejus Benn just broke a tackle and made something out of nothing on that kick return of 40+ yards.