This game started off badly for the Illini defense and continued the same trend throughout the game. Overall, this wasn’t a good game for both the defense and offense. Northwestern kept driving down the field without much pressure. They tacked on a field goal to go up 3-0 about midway through the first quarter.
Illinois’ offense couldn’t get anything going until the defense intercepted the Wildcats and put the Illini in great field position. This enabled a four-play scoring drive for the Orange and Blue to go up 7-3. After that, Illinois’ offense stalled, and their defense wore out.