Postgame from Champaign

Before we get into it, click here if you want referee Dan Capron’s explanation regarding Sherrick McManis’ clinching interception with 32 seconds to go: http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/2924

WHAT THIS GAME MEANT
Northwestern’s 21-16 win ensures the Wildcats (7-4, 4-3) get to play in a bowl in back-to-back years for just the second time in program history. Early scuttlebutt suggests NU could be ticketed to the Champs Sports Bowl, which gets the third pick after the BCS pairings are settled. The Insight Bowl also looks like a sound choice since NU hasn’t played in Arizona. Nothing against the Alamo Bowl, but the Cats were in San Antonio in 2000 and again last year.

Illinois, meanwhile, ensured it won’t go anywhere in the postseason for the seventh time in eight years. Worse yet, the Illini (3-7, 2-6) must keep going for another three weeks before turning in their equipment. There’s a bye week before they travel to Cincinnati to play the undefeated Bearcats on Nov. 27. Then, in a game that might be attended by dozens of people who aren’t related to Illinois’ seniors, Fresno State comes to Champaign on Dec. 5.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH ILLINOIS
Senior QB Juice Williams (high ankle sprain) sat out an Illinois game for the first time in his career. Redshirt freshman Jacob Charest made his first start and didn’t look quite as good as he did in relief at Purdue and Minnesota. His numbers weren’t horrid (14 of 27, 145 yards, 1 TD, 1 running TD, 2 INTs), but he overthrew several targets.

After Charest threw an INT shortly before halftime that led to Northwestern’s first score, Ron Zook and offensive coordinator Mike Schultz replaced him with junior Eddie McGee. He ran the ball a bunch, fumbled it once and wound up back at receiver for the fourth quarter.

“It’s a lot different all week long when you know you’re not coming off the bench,” Zook said. “I don’t know why that is, but it’s kind of the way it is. He was off a little bit, but I’m proud of the way he gained his composure in the second half and played pretty well in the second half.”

--Zook also replaced sophomore kicker Matt Eller after he missed a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter. Derek Dimke came on to hit a 30-yarder that gave Illinois a 3-0 lead.

--Sophomore RB Mikel Leshoure rushed 12 times for 77 yards in the first half. He was the biggest beast on the field. In the second half, he carried once for minus-1 yard. Don’t know why that was.

--Lastly, Arrelious Benn entered the fourth quarter with 1 catch for minus-1 yard. He caught 3 passes on Illinois’ first touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, but he left for good after his final catch with what Zook said was a ding to the head.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH NORTHWESTERN
NU coach Pat Fitzgerald talked about his team needing an attitude adjustment at halftime, even though the Cats took the lead shortly before the half. Among the signs NU wasn’t as crisp as necessary? The Wildcats dropped 3 passes in the second quarter alone.

But the Wildcats started to rip up Illinois’ secondary, particularly with deep out patterns. That’s what Zeke Markshausen (6 catches, 104 yards) caught for a 28-yard score just before the half,..then a similar play went for 20 yards in the third quarter and set up Mike Kafka’s 1-yard sneak.

“We had seen through some film study and then seen it on the field,” Markshausen said, “that they kind of keep their safeties inside and they’re going to protect the middle of the field. Which is the right thing to do, considering what we’ve done in the past. We were able to create some plays off of that.”

But that doesn’t explain why Andrew Brewer got behind safety Donsay Hardeman on a seam route for 52 yards. It was the big play on Northwestern’s “99.75 yard” drive to make it 14-3.

Kafka, who still isn't 100 percent with his left hammy, completed 23 of 37 passes for 305 yards and 1 score. Folks, he's going to be a pro.

Oh, and NU didn't have a turnover for the first time this season.

OK, there’s more, but I’m closing up here. There’s always next week.

LW