Wildcats Host Fighting Illini in Regular Season Finale at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO – Northwestern prepares to host Illinois in its regular season finale at Wrigley Field. In what will be the 118th meeting between the two programs, Illinois holds a narrow 57-55-5 advantage in the series. Northwestern has won seven of the last nine (and nine of the last 12) meetings, including posting its longest win streak of the series from 2015 to 2020. Since the teams started playing for the Land of Lincoln trophy in 2009, Northwestern is 10-4.

How to Follow
Watch on BTN: Action will be televised on Big Ten Network, Chris Vosters is on the call (play-by-play), alongside Matt Millen (analyst), and Kylen Mills (sideline reporter). Direct Link to Watch Online (Sign-In with TV Provider)

Listen on WGN Radio 720: The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, returns for his 35th season calling Northwestern Football. Eanet will be joined on the call by 31st-year analyst Ted Albrecht, along with Lauren Withrow on the sideline. The broadcast can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 372. Direct Link to Listen Online

Follow In-Game Updates (NUFBFamily): Stay tuned to Northwestern Football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos, and reactions throughout Saturday's contest.

For The Hat. For The Seniors. pic.twitter.com/iXzdx4mmww
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 29, 2024

Five Things to Know

Most recently in 2023, Northwestern earned a 45-43 win in Champaign to reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy in what marked the highest scoring game in the rivalry's 117-game history. Six different Wildcats scored touchdowns, including three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) from Ben Bryant, and a pivotal special teams scoop and score in the fourth quarter on a fumble forced by Braydon Brus and recovered/returned by Garner Wallace. After Illinois found the end zone in the final minute, the defense came up with one final big play on the potential game-tying two point conversion to come away with a two-point victory.
Linebacker and team captain Xander Mueller made his return to the feld last week at Michigan after missing the last three games and recorded an interception (first of season, sixth of his career), and forced fumble to go along with nine total tackles. Mueller is the first Wildcat to post career numbers of 250+ tackles and 6+ interceptions since Godwin Igwebuike (2014-17). And the first LB to do so since Chi Chi Ariguzo (2011-14).
Bryce Kirtz is averaging 15.5 yards per reception this season, the highest mark by a Wildcat since Andrew Brewer averaged 16.2 ypc in 2009. Kirtz is the only Big Ten wide receiver to average 14+ yards per reception over the last two seasons.
Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Anto Saka has emerged as one of the Big Ten's best edge rushers. In 2024, he has posted 2.5 sacks. According to PFF, Saka ranks 41st in the country (15.8) among "Power 5" players in Win%, which tracks the percentage of wins vs. blocking on non-penalty pass rush snaps.
Graduate WR A.J. Henning is in his second season in Evanston and leads the team with 49 receptions (14th in Big Ten, career high) and ranks second with 484 receiving yards (single-season career-high) and three touchdown grabs (leads team) this year. Additionally, Henning has returned 10 punts for 104 yards (10.4 yards per return).

Wildcats Host Fighting Illini in Regular Season Finale at Wrigley Field

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Braydon Brus

Ben Bryant

A.J. Henning

Bryce Kirtz

Xander Mueller

Anto Saka

Garner Wallace

Northwestern University Athletics

Wildcats Host Fighting Illini in Regular Season Finale at Wrigley Field

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Braydon Brus

Ben Bryant

A.J. Henning

Bryce Kirtz

Xander Mueller

Anto Saka

Garner Wallace

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