Aidan Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs, to propel No. 23 Illinois past Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
The sophomore running back needed just 12 carries to orchestrate his career day and ripped off three runs of 30 or more yards, including a 64-yard touchdown scamper that put the Fighting Illini (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) ahead 21-10 early in the second half.
After the Wildcats (4-8, 2-7) pulled within 28-20 entering the fourth quarter, Laughery broke off a 31-yard run to replenish Illinois’ two-score lead.
Fighting Illini receiver Pat Bryant tied a program record with his 10th touchdown reception this season, which came after Laughery’s long scoring run in the third quarter.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer completed 10 of 17 passes for 170 with a touchdown and two interceptions. He had an injury scare in the third quarter after taking a big hit and landing on his throwing arm. After receiving medical attention, Altmyer walked off the field but returned on the next drive.
The Wildcats used two quarterbacks in the loss, their third straight to end the season.
Jack Lausch played most of the snaps and threw for 287 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on 25-of-48 passing. Before the game, head coach David Braun said freshman quarterback Ryan Boe would take snaps with the Wildcats out of bowl contention. Boe completed 4 of 13 throws for 42 yards with an interception.
Northwestern’s defense created both Illinois interceptions with outstanding individual efforts.
In the first quarter, Brendan Flakes tipped an Altmyer pass that Devin Turner caught and ran 13 yards for a touchdown that put the Wildcats ahead 10-7. The second pick also came from Turner, who sprinted across the field and timed a dive perfectly to grab an Altmyer pass in the second quarter.
Bryce Kirtz caught two passes on Northwestern’s first drive but was injured on his second reception. He exited the game with a lower-body injury and did not return. The Wildcats’ leading receiver this season finished with two receptions for 25 yards.
–Field Level Media
