The offensive breakout that Northwestern experienced against Minnesota appeared to leak into the first half in Champaign, but the success was short-lived. Illinois retained the Land of Lincoln 'Hat' trophy on Saturday, defeating the Wildcats by the score of 20-13.

Northwestern ends its regular season at 6-6 (4-5 B1G) and will play a bowl game next month.

Illinois (8-4, 5-4 B1G) forced four turnovers from NU quarterback Preston Stone, including three in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats' graduate transfer QB had not given the ball away in over a month, but threw three interceptions — two to safety Miles Scott — and fumbled against the Fighting Illini.

Stone ended up connecting on 52.8% of his passes for 163 yards through the air. Eight of his 19 completions went to sophomore receiver Hayden Eligon II, who racked up 99 yards and a score.

Following a day of heavy snowfall across the Midwest, the game kicked off at 31° Fahrenheit with 26 mile-per-hour winds. Northwestern's gameplan consisted of a run-heavy approach, but running back Joseph Himon suffered an injury on his second carry, while Caleb Komolafe was ruled out at the start of the game. This forced the 'Cats to rely on true freshman fullback Robby Preckel as the primary ball-carrier, who ended up totaling 82 yards on 22 carries.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmeyer went 10-of-15 for 136 yards passing and Ca'Lil Valentine had 14 rushes for 74 yards.

The weather factored into both teams' decision-making from the opening kickoff. Illinois quickly got down the field with a 35-yard completion to Collin Dixon, but when the drive eventually stalled, the Fighting Illini opted to keep their offense in for fourth-and-5 from the 17-yard line. Cornerback Josh Fussell broke up the ensuing pass to force a turnover on downs.

That aggressive decision-making extended to the other sideline as well. Northwestern went for it on fourth down twice on the following drive — converting both — before settling for a 38-yard field goal from Jack Olsen.

The Illini marched again, aided by a 28-yard trick play pass from receiver Hank Beatty to tight end Tanner Arkin. On the very next play, Valentine found the end zone from six yards out to tally the game's first touchdown.

Stone and Preckel were methodical, though, refusing to let Illinois' scoring drive discourage the Northwestern offense. Griffin Wilde hauled in three catches, moving the chains twice, before Stone perfectly floated a 13-yard touchdown pass to Eligon.

Illinois reached the end zone once more before the half. After a Stone pass tipped off the hands of Frank Covey IV for an interception, Kaden Feagin punched it in to give the Fighting Illini a 14-10 lead at the break.

David Olano's field goal was the lone score by either side in the third, putting Illinois ahead by seven. Northwestern advanced all the way to the Illini's 10-yard line to start the final quarter, but Stone fumbled the snap on a fourth-and-inches QB sneak.

The Wildcats caught a huge break when linebacker Braydon Brus stripped the ball out of Altmeyer's hands and Anto Saka recovered the fumble at the one-yard line. However, Northwestern was unable to find the end zone again, cutting the deficit to 17-13 on another Olsen kick.

NU's defense managed to force a punt with 6:12 remaining, but Stone's turnover woes struck at the worst time. The fifth-year passer was picked off by Scott on consecutive drives, and with an opportunity to tie the game at 20, the Wildcats turned it over on downs.

Of Northwestern's five drives in the fourth quarter, only one netted points — an Olsen field goal. The other four ended in either a turnover or a fourth-down stop.

The 'Cats will find out their future bowl destination after the conference championships next weekend.

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