Illinois Dominates Northwestern 38-28 to Reach Nine Wins for the First Time Since 2007

In a thrilling rivalry game at Wrigley Field, Illinois secured its ninth victory of the season with a 38-28 win over Northwestern on Saturday. The victory not only marked a historic milestone for the Illini but also showcased the explosive potential of sophomore running back Aidan Laughery, whose breakout performance helped propel Illinois to its first nine-win season since the 2007 Rose Bowl campaign.

A Breakout Performance for Aidan Laughery

While much of Illinois' offensive focus this season has been on quarterback Luke Altmyer, it was running back Aidan Laughery who stole the show on Saturday. The Gibson City, Illinois, native rushed for a career-high 172 yards, including a dazzling 64-yard touchdown run that capped a strong second-half surge for the Illini. Laughery, who had only scored two career touchdowns entering the game, more than doubled that total with three rushing touchdowns in a single game, averaging an impressive 14.3 yards per carry.

Laughery’s performance came at the perfect time, as Illinois was looking for someone to step up in the absence of some key offensive playmakers. Despite being hampered by a hamstring injury earlier in the season, Laughery found his rhythm in the second half, helping Illinois gain control of the game.

“I thought today would be a day that could happen,” said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema. “Some of those runs turned into big home run hits we’ve been waiting on all year.” Laughery’s confidence echoed the same sentiment: “Finally, the opportunity was there. You know you gotta’ hit one, and it came together today.”

The Illini offensive line played a crucial role in setting up Laughery’s big runs, dominating the line of scrimmage and creating space for him to break free. “Those guys were covering them all day long,” Laughery said, crediting his blockers for the holes they created in Northwestern’s defense.

Altmyer and Bryant Contribute to the Win

Though Laughery's explosive performance was the highlight of the game, quarterback Luke Altmyer and wide receiver Pat Bryant also played key roles in the victory. Altmyer, who returned from a shoulder injury, passed for 170 yards and one touchdown while also running for another. His 1-yard touchdown keeper early in the second quarter helped Illinois build a 14-10 lead at halftime.

Pat Bryant, meanwhile, continued his stellar season with a 43-yard touchdown reception off Altmyer early in the third quarter, which was part of a quick-fire, two-touchdown flurry that stretched Illinois' lead to 28-10. Bryant’s 10th receiving touchdown of the season tied a school record, solidifying his status as one of the Big Ten’s top playmakers.

Northwestern's Fight and Late Push

Despite the large deficit, Northwestern (4-8, 2-7 Big Ten) did not go down without a fight. The Wildcats made it interesting with a late-game push that narrowed Illinois' lead. Devin Turner, who had been a thorn in Altmyer’s side with two interceptions, returned his second pick of the game 13 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter, giving Northwestern a brief 7-3 lead.

The Wildcats kept the pressure on with a second-half rally, cutting the Illini's lead to 28-13 after a 34-yard field goal from Luke Akers. Quarterback Jack Lausch, who passed for 234 yards, threw a 15-yard touchdown to Thomas Gordon and connected with A.J. Henning for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a one-possession game at 28-20.

However, Illinois responded quickly. Mac Resetich intercepted a Lausch pass early in the fourth quarter, and Laughery put the game out of reach with a powerful 31-yard touchdown run, his third of the day, to make it 35-20.

Illinois Capitalizes on Big Plays, Northwestern Struggles in the Red Zone

The game’s final moments saw another Northwestern score—Lausch connected with Gordon for a touchdown and two-point conversion—but the Wildcats ran out of time. Despite dominating time of possession (34:32 to 25:28) and running 90 plays to Illinois' 53, Northwestern was unable to convert in key moments. The Wildcats struggled to finish drives, and their inability to capitalize on turnovers kept them from fully closing the gap.

Illinois, on the other hand, capitalized on its big-play opportunities and made the most of Laughery’s explosive runs, which kept the game firmly in their control after the third quarter.

Historic Milestone for Illinois

For Illinois, this victory marked a significant achievement in the program’s history. With nine wins now secured, the Illini have reached their highest win total since their 2007 Rose Bowl season. Head coach Bret Bielema, in his third season, has taken the program to new heights, and the Illini are now in prime position for a prestigious bowl game.

“We wanted to put ourselves in a good position on this day to get to nine wins and see where it can go,” Bielema said. “It’s just a fun day overall. I don’t know what the future holds. I think we’re a team that can play with anybody in the country.”

The win also served as a fitting tribute to the senior class, who will likely be remembered as the group that helped return Illinois football to national relevance.

Northwestern's Struggles Continue

For Northwestern, the loss capped a difficult season. The Wildcats finished 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big Ten under head coach David Braun. After a promising start, Northwestern ended the year on a three-game losing streak and won just one of its final six games. The Wildcats will look to regroup and build for next season, but Saturday’s defeat at the hands of their in-state rivals served as a reminder of the program’s growing pains under Braun’s leadership.

What's Next?

Illinois will now look ahead to its bowl game, where it will hope to continue building momentum and potentially secure a 10th win, a feat last accomplished by the program during the 2001 Sugar Bowl season. With Laughery’s breakout performance, Altmyer’s leadership, and a solid all-around team effort, Illinois has proven it can compete with some of the best teams in the country.

Northwestern, meanwhile, will be focused on regrouping and preparing for next season, with the hope of building off the foundation laid during Braun's second year at the helm.

Final Thoughts:

Saturday’s game was a microcosm of Illinois’ season—efficient, opportunistic, and powered by breakout performances, particularly from Aidan Laughery. The Illini have firmly established themselves as a team to watch in the Big Ten, and with the prospect of a 10-win season on the horizon, their future looks bright. For Northwestern, the rebuilding process will need to continue as they aim to bounce back from a challenging year and find more consistency in the seasons to come.

Cameron Williams

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Senior Writer