Bob Asmussen hands out grades for Illinois following its loss at Northwestern:
Player of the Game Offense
Northwestern’s Justin Jackson
Former News-Gazette All-Stater from Glenbard North took the ball 37 times for a game-high 172 yards and a touchdown. While the Wildcats’ passing game was struggling, Jackson served as a security blanket, able to get the tough yards when the offense appeared to be struggling. Bad news for Illinois: He is only a sophomore.
Illinois: D
Northwestern: B-
Can’t blame this one on Wes Lunt. His receivers tortured him with drops, maybe the worst all year.