Published on December 1, 2025 6:29 am
Last Updated on December 1, 2025 6:29 am
BY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois defeated Northwestern, 20-13, on Saturday evening, capturing the Land of Lincoln trophy in its final game of the regular season. Nearly half a foot of snow fell at Gies Memorial Stadium, the most for any home game in Illinois history.
The Illini defense came up with four takeaways on the night, highlighted by a pair of second half interceptions from Miles Scott, the first game of his career with two or more, and the first interception of the season for Torrie Cox Jr.
Gabe Jacas also added a pair of sacks in the second half, the 26th and 27th of his career, finishing the regular season as the Big Ten sacks leader with 11.0.
Rushing touchdowns from Ca’Lil Valentine and Kaden Feagin earned the Illini a 14-10 advantage into the half. Valentine paced the ground attack with 74 total yards, while Luke Altmyer contributed 136 passing yards.
In the second half, David Olano drilled a pair of field goals to maintain Illinois’ lead, including a 47-yarder, his longest this year.
Illinois now turns its focus to the postseason after qualifying for a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11. Illinois’ bowl destination will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Player Notes
Luke Altmyer threw for 136 yards on 10-for-16 passing in his final appearance at Gies Memorial Stadium.
Altmyer has led Illinois to a 22-12 record as the team’s starting quarterback, the third-most wins in Illinois history, behind only Kurt Kittner (24) and Jack Trudeau (23).
Ca’Lil Valentine rushed 14 times for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Recorded his fourth rushing touchdown of the season – the fifth of his career – and his first since Oct. 4 at Purdue.
Kaden Feagin finished with five carries and a rushing touchdown.
Posted his seventh rushing score of the season and the 12th of his career with 30 seconds remaining in the first half.
Tanner Arkin tallied two catches for 33 yards.
Hauled in the longest reception of his collegiate career, on a double pass from WR Hank Beatty, to set up the Illini’s first touchdown of the game.
Hank Beatty made three catches for 21 yards while completing one pass on a trick play in the first half.
Completed a career-long 28-yard pass in the second quarter.
Torrie Cox Jr. corralled an interception while making six total tackles.
Recorded his first interception of the season, his fourth as an Illini, and the eighth of his collegiate career late in the second quarter, to set up the Illini’s second touchdown of the game just before halftime.
Gabe Jacas logged four total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Registered his fourth game this season with multiple sacks.
Jacas is now this season’s Big Ten’s sacks leader.
David Olano all four of his kicks, including two field goals and two PATs.
Drilled a season-long 47-yard field goal to give the Illini a 17-10 lead midway through the third quarter.
Miles Scott totaled four tackles while making two interceptions.
First game of his career with multiple interceptions.
Made the sixth and seventh picks of his career and his second and third interceptions of the season.
Is the first Illini with multiple interceptions in a game since Xavier Scott had two against #19 Kansas on Sept. 7, 2024.
Is the first Illini with multiple interceptions in a Big Ten game since Sydney Brown and Devon Witherspoon both had two at Northwestern on Nov. 26, 2022.
Team Notes
Saturday night’s contest marked the most snow at a home game in Gies Memorial Stadium history.
The Illini defense forced multiple turnovers for the fourth time this season.
Illinois tied the program record for wins during a two-year period with its 18th victory between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. It is the fourth time Illinois has won 18 games over a two-year period, joining 1989-90, 1902-03, and 1901-02.
Illinois has 8+ wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1989-90. The Illini have never won 9+ games in back-to-back seasons.
Illinois has 8+ wins three times in a four-year span for the first time since winning 8+ games four straight years from 1901-04.
Bret Bielema is the first head coach in Illinois history to win 8+ games three times in a four-year span. The last time Illinois achieved the feat from 1901-04, the program’s 1904 season was coached by a group of four alumni.
Illinois won 23 Big Ten games in Bret Bielema’s first five seasons at Illinois. It is Illinois’ most Big Ten wins in a five-year period since also winning 23 Big Ten games from 1990-94.
Illinois has 31 wins over the last four seasons, tied for its most wins over a four-year period since winning 32 games from 1902-05.
Illinois has 36 wins over the last five seasons, tied for its most wins over a five-year period since winning 37 games from 1981-85.
The Illini made three interceptions against the Wildcats, their most since making three interceptions against Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Nov. 30, 2024.