By IlliniGuys Staff

November 30, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHICAGO, Ill. - Aidan Laughery set career highs with 172 yards and three touchdowns as 23rd ranked Illinois ran past Northwestern 38-28.

Pat Bryant caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Luke Altmyer to tie David Williams and Brandon Lloyd's single-season school record of 10 scoring catches as the Illini win back the Land of Lincoln Trophy in this bitter rivalry.

Illinois (9-3, 6-3 in Big Ten) completes its most successful season since 2007 as they notch their eighth season of nine wins or more in program history.

Laughery needed just 12 carries to enjoy the biggest day for an Illini running back since Chase Brown rushed for 180 yards against Minnesota in October 2022.

The Illini defense forced four turnovers, including interceptions by Xavier Scott, Mac Resetich, and Torrie Cox Jr. as they allowed the Northwestern offense into the end zone only twice all day, both in the second half as the Wildcats were playing catch up.

The Wildcats' defense did break through as Devin Turner picked off Altmyer twice, returning the first for a touchdown and a brief 10-7 Northwestern lead. It was just the third game all season in which Altmyer threw at least one interception as he finishes the year with 21 touchdown and only five interceptions.

Northwestern closes the season at 4-8 overall and 2-7 in Big Ten play. Illinois now awaits its bowl assignment, which will be announced a week from Sunday.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.