Post-game at Memorial Stadium

And Illinois won 41-22. They get the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. They get to go to a Jan. 1 bowl game. The Cats get to ... go home.

Well, in all probability. After the game, NU was realistic about their bowl chances and how disappointing a 6-6 finish really was. Well, except Fitzgerald. He wouldn't even admit NU was out of the running for the bowls.

Oh, well. There's always next year. And with the Big Ten as pathetic as it is, a sea change next season wouldn't be out of the question.

Bye all. Hope all 10 of you enjoyed my blogging throughout the year.

4th and 13

NU going for it. Own 46.

Incomplete. We're going down to the field. No Detroit. No Tempe. No nothing.

Eesh

SENIOR CAPTAIN Reggie McPherson makes the most blatant pass interference ever (following Dixon's gaffe ... also a senior) on Cumberland. On a ball that was well behind Cumberland. On a ball that McPherson was probably in a better position to catch.

Then the Illini get back to the business of running the ball.

3rd and 6 at the NU 10.

Williams misses a wide open receiver high.

Reda on to kick the 27-yard field goal. 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:06.

Illinois 38, NU 14.

9:35 to go.

Dan Dixon needs more playing time

So maybe he'll know next time that when you see the name on the back of the jersey, don't hit him. Dixon makes the most blatant block in the back I've ever seen, pushing NU back to the 7. After a whimper by the offense, Demos uncorks another cannon, 56 yards and downed at the Illinois 32.

Illinois 35, NU 14.

13:41 left.

End of the Third Quarter

The Cats come up with a stop and are awaiting a punt.

NU came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Minnesota, which is 1-10 with a loss to I-AA North Dakota State, earlier in the year.

This is 21 points. This is Illinois, which is 8-3 with a win over No. 1 Ohio State.

Same diff?

Illinois 35, NU 14.

NU's last quarter this season?

They ain't no quitters

The Cats are driving, largely because of Tyrell Sutton. He has runs of 17 and 22 yards and the Cats have a 3rd and 1 at the Illinois 10.

Sutton runs for 4, 1st and Goal

Sutton runs down to the 2, 2nd and Goal

Bacher rolls, finds Jeff Yarbrough in back of end zone for a TD.

Villarreal XP. 11 plays, 87 yards, 3:13.

Illinois 35, NU 14.

2:10 to go in the third.

thumpTHUMP ... thumpTHUMP ... thumpTHUMP ...

J-U-I-C-E spells doom

Williams pitches to Mendenhall on an option and Mendenhall does the rest.

Reda XP. 14 plays, 94 yards, 6:25.

Illinois 35, NU 7.

5:23 to go in the third.