Rapid Reaction: Turnovers doom Northwestern as Illinois wins 20-13 and keeps the Hat in Champaign

This one was as chaotic as the weather it was played in.

Northwestern couldn’t brave the elements as the Wildcats fell to Illinois in snowy Champaign on Saturday. This loss marked the Wildcats second consecutive defeat to its in in-state rivals.

Preston Stone came crashing back down to Earth after his season-best performance against Minnesota last time out. The senior went 19-of-36 through the air for 163 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Stone also fumbled twice, one of which was recovered, for four total turnovers on the night.

First-year Robby Preckel had a career day on the ground, amassing 82 yards on 22 carries. Hayden Eligon II was one yard shy of consecutive 100 yard receiving performances, notching 99 yards and a score on 8 receptions. Robert Fitzgerald led the team with 11 total tackes. Braydon Brus recorded 2 TFLs and 2 forced fumbles, one of which was recovered by Anto Saka.

Northwestern won the coin toss and opted to defer until the second half. Illinois started out driving towards the Southern endzone. Ca’lil Valentine returned the opening kick for 17 yards, setting the Illini up at the 18 to start the drive. Valentine then opened the game up with a run for 10 yards out of the shotgun.

On the second play of the game Altmyer had his first completion, a short throw to the right side for Tanner Arkin for a gain of five.  The first drive had Valentine’s name all over it, as the Illinois running back had five carries for 21 yards in the possession. A Mac Uihlein tackle  brought up an early third-and-four. Illinois lined up with a split backfield, but Valentine recorded his third carry and gained another six yards and a first down before Anto Saka brought him down. After a few carries, Illinois ran a play action and found Collin Dixon wide open down the right side of the field for a gain of 35, putting Illinois just outside the red zone at the 22. A pitch to Valentine on a third and five was stuffed for no gain as Uihlein and Brayden Brus at the line of scrimmage. Illinois went for it on fourth down, but Altmyer’s throw to Collin Dixon on the right side was nearly picked off by Josh Fussell.

Joseph Himon II bounced his first run to the right side for a gain of six to start the day for the Wildcats. He then hit the hole on the left side of the offensive line to get the first down on his second carry, but came up holding his ankle after a tackle by Dylan Rosiek. With Komolafe being ruled out before the game started, the Wildcats were forced to turn to first year tight end turned running back Robby Preckel.

Preston Stone’s first completion was a short throw over the middle to tight end Lawson Albright, and he would break multiple tackles en route to a 17 yard gain. From then on, Preckel dominated the drive. His first carry was stopped for no gain, but his second attempt was much more fruitful, as he weaved his way for nine yards.  Northwestern went for it on fourth after Preckel’s third carry was stopped short of the marker, and the Wildcats found success as yet another Preckel carry was bounced to the left side for a gain of 11,  putting NU in Illinois territory. On third-and-seven, the ball was back in Preckel’s hands, but was he brought down three yards short of the first down marker. NU went for it again on 4th, and Stone found Welcing for a gain of five.  Illinois later forced the third fourth-down of the drive when yet another right sided Preckel run was stopped for a loss by Matthew Bailey. Having already gone for it twice, David Braun opted to kick it, and Jack Olsen’s screwball just went through the uprights to give NU an early lead.

Valentine’s short return set up Illinois inside of its own 20. A five-yard run by Aidan Laughery ended the first quarter. Illinois opened the second period with back to back nine yard gains, the first being a Laughery run up the middle, followed by an Altmyer completion to Hank Beatty on the left side. On second down Altmyer was forced to roll out right, but found Hudson Clement off a double move for an explosive 21-yard gain. Illinois went deep into the playbook on its next play with Altmyer finding Beatty in the backfield, who then threw it again to Tanner Arkin for 28 yards. Illinois finished off the drive with a touchdown run to the left side, giving Illinois a 7-3 lead.

After the touchback, Preckel started right where he left off, running to the right side for a gain of nine. An Illinois holding penalty added 10 yards off the back of the carry. NU then lined up with seven linemen, only to connect on a 12-yard comeback to Wilde off a play action. A five-yard Preckel carry was followed by an incompletion, but an illegal Illinois substitution gave NU five yards and the first down. Stone dropped back again and fired to the left side where Eligon toe-tapped for a 13-yard gain. On third-and-five, Stone went to Wilde again who got exactly enough for the first. On first and fifteen, after an illegal man downfield penalty, Stone threw an incompletion looking for Eligon, and Illinois forced a third-and-12 after another Preckel carry. On third down, Stone looked left and lofted the ball over the backpedalling defensive back to find Eligon for six points. NU’s second drive ended with Eligon making snow angels in the endzone and a 10-7 lead.

An Altmyer play action deep shot sailed over the head of Dixon on the first play of the next Illinois drive. After a three yard Feagin carry, Altmyer stayed patient in the pocket and found Hudson Clement on a comeback to move the sticks. Illinois ran another play fake after a two yard Feagin rush, with Altmyer opting to take off and fall forward for a gain of six. It was back to back carries for Altmyer, this time on a read option, but Robert Firtzgerald flew in like a guided missile to tackle Altmyer behind the sticks, ending the drive and forcing the first punt of the night.

Driving into the wind, Preckel took the handoff for five on the last play before the two-minute timeout, then gained six on the other side of it. On the next play Stone’s pass was tipped by James Kreutz, hit off Frank Covey’s helmet and was intercepted by Torrie Cox Jr.

Setting up on the Northwestern 43, Altmyer threw a quick pass to Beatty. His next pass fell incomplete, but Illinois gained 15 yards after a roughing the passer penalty on Brendan Flakes. Northwestern dialed up pressure on the next down. Altmyer high stepped away from two rushers, then made a move on the run and gained 17 on the play. Illinois went back to Valentine, and he gained 10 on the rush. From the one, Feagin received the handoff and went airborne to break the plane and give Illinois the lead with 30 left in the half. The ‘Cats chose to run and end the half trailing by four.

Preckel ended the half with 14 carries for 63 yards, as well as a reception for four more. Stone was 9-13 with a touchdown and a pick. Griffin caught four of those passes for 20 yards, while Eligon made the most of the two he hauled in, racking up 26 yards and a score. Fitzgerald led the way with 5 TOT tackles and the team’s only TFL, while Fussell recorded a pass breakup. Illinois outgained NU 200-146, with Altmyer throwing for 85 yards.

Out of half , Preckel got back -to-back carries for a combined  three yards. NU would be forced off the field early after an incompletion on third and seven.

Valentine rattled off 31 yards on his first three carries of the half. A holding by Melvin Priestly then gave Illinois a first-and-20, which was erased thanks to an 18-yard completion to Dixon on an in-breaking route. Illinois lost all of those yards and more on the next play, as a flea-flicker was fumbled by Altmyer for a loss of 25 yards. A 16 -yard completion to Feagin put the Illini back in field goal range, and David Olano hit form 47 to make it 17-10.

NU did not get off to a good start on its next drive, as Jacas sacked Stone for a loss of seven. Stone looked to Eligon on the next down, but his pass fell incomplete after a questionable non- PI on the coverage from Bailey. Jacas came close to sacking Stone for the second time in three plays, forcing Stone to roll to his left and throw the ball out of bounds for NU’s second consecutive three-and-out.

Laughery ripped off four runs for 20 yards to start the next Illini drive. A delay of game turned a 3rd and 4 into a 3rd-and-nine. NU sent a blitz and the pressure from Braden Turner forced Altmyer to throw it away.

Looking for momentum, the ’Cats went back to Preckel to start the drive, and his carries went for nine total yards. Stone then threw a deep ball looking for Wilde, and Cox was flagged for DPI after preventing the wideout from working back towards the ball. Preckel’s 20th carry went for three yards and ended the third quarter. The Wildcats only amassed 16 yards on offense in the period.

To say the fourth quarter was frantic would be a massive understatement. Stone started the final period dancing around in the pocket. On the first play he was able to roll left and find Eligon for a sliding 8 yard gain. The second time around he rolled to his right and threw what looked like an interception to Tanner Heckel, but on review was changed to a sack by Lacas. On the third play Stone took off under pressure and fumbled off a hit from Malachi Hood. Albright recovered and Stone finally settled in, firing a laser to Eligon II for an 18 yard gain. Boe would sub in for a short rush to set up 3rd and 4. Stone made a tough throw while being hit. On fourth and one Stone bobbled the snap on a QB sneak and NU was turned over on downs.

Braden Turner recorded a pass breakup on second down to bring up third and long. On that third down Brayden Brus forced a fumble on Altmyer. Saka picked it up and brought the return to the one yard line.

Preckel was blown up for a loss of three to start the drive. A one-yard Welcing catch set up 3rd and goal from the three. Stone looked for Wilde but had his pass broken up by Miles Scott. A delay of game led to a 26 yard field goal and a 17-13 ball game with 7:46 left.

After a three-yard gain, Altmyer was flushed out of the pocket by Uihlein for a gain of four. A quick throw from Altmyer was almost intercepted by Garner Wallace as the Illini went three-and-out.

With another chance to regain the lead, Lujan went back to Preckel, for a five-yard carry. Stone then dropped back and gunned the ball over the middle into the hands of Scott Miles, who returned the pick to the Northwestern 17-yard line.

The NU defense held firm and only allowed eight yards on the drive. Illinois settled for a field goal to make the score 20-13.

Looking to atone for his mistakes and capture his third game-winnig drive as a Wildcat, Stone started the drive with a five-yard completion to Welcing. He went deep to Eligon and almost had the ball intercepted again, before going back to Eligon on a slant for a first down the next play. Stone looked to stretch the field on the last play before the two minute timeout, but the ball bounced off the hands of Welcing. Miles was there to record his second pick of the night. and all but end the ballgame

The NU defense forced a three-and-out, burning its timeouts and giving Stone the ball back with 1:34 remaining. A deep pass intended for Wilde on a dig was broken up by Miles yet again. On third-and-long Stone found Eligon for 20 on the right side. Stone would go back to Eligon again, throwing a jump ball off his back foot that the sophomore would come down with. Stone danced around before throwing a strike on the run that was too hot for Wilde to handle, his next pass also targeted Wilde but was tipped and fell behind the wideout. Another incompletion brought up 4th-and-10. Stone maneuvered the pocket before stepping up and throwing off platform. His pass hit the turf and Illinois came away with the win.

The Wildcats will now prepare for their second bowl game in three years under Braun.