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Northwestern Football: 3 Takeaways from Wildcats win over Illinois

By Dante Pryor

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 5: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats waits with the team to enter the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 5: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats waits with the team to enter the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Dec 12, 2020; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Cam Porter (20) runs against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Cam Porter (20) runs against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Northwestern let it all hang out

It would have been easy for Northwestern to take this game off to rest starters or not put too much on film before the Big Ten Championship game against No. 4 Ohio State.

That is not the way Pat Fitzgerald coaches or the culture the former Northwestern linebacker has set at his former alma mater. The Wildcats played to win the Land of Lincoln trophy and it showed from start to finish.

With the win today, the Wildcats draw within one game of bringing this rivalry game even (55-54-5) with Illinois losing the last five games of the rivalry all under current head coach Lovie Smith.

Despite the Big Ten title being on the line next week, this game meant a lot. The Wildcats have not been this close in the rivalry since World War II and have to be feeling good going into the Big Ten title game after this win.

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