The Illini were plagued by familiar problems that have been an issue all season, dropping easy passes, committing mindless penalties, and failing to capitalize after taking an early lead as they fell short of the six-win mark that would have ensured a postseason appearance.
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A few hours before IL (5-7, 2-6) took the field, the school announced interim coach Bill Cubit had agreed to a two-year contract. He was promoted to that role after Tim Beckman was sacked a week before the start of the season after an external review into allegations of player mistreatment.
IL also has an interim athletics director with Paul Kowalczyk and interim chancellor with Barbara Wilson. But sources say Cubit understands his deal could be revised at the whim of a new permanent athletics director, who may choose to hire his own head football coach.
Cubit joined the IL staff as offensive coordinator in January 2013. Wide receiver Austin Carr led the Wildcats with three receptions for 61 yards.
On November 29, 2014, IL came into Ryan Field and knocked Northwestern out of bowl eligibility.
The Illinois football team showed apathy and undisciplined play in a must-win game against Northwestern on Saturday.
For just the fourth time in program history, Northwestern has won 10 games in a single season.
Dan Vitale made a juggling catch and dove into the end zone for a tying 19-yard touchdown reception. Nose tackle Chunky Clements deflected a low pass by Thorson, and linebacker Mason Monheim intercepted the ball and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown with 45 seconds to go in the quarter. Then Taylor Zalewski missed his second field-goal attempt of the game, and the deficit stayed at double digits.
A 39-yard field goal by Jack Mitchell with 11:27 left in the fourth quarter gave NU some breathing room, but IL wasn’t done fighting.
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Thorson handed the ball to Jackson to ice it over the final minutes and the “Cats watched the clock run down to zero on Illinois” last posession to cap off a historic regular season finish and a reclamation of the Land of Lincoln Trophy. VanHoose was hit by Nate Hall as he dove to the ground.
