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"That's not on my mind. ... We talk about
leaving no doubt, and this is an opportunity to do that," Braun
said.
Cam Porter rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns and Ben Bryant
passed for 230 yards and a score to boost Northwestern to a
23-15 win over Purdue in its home finale. That marked the third
victory in four games for the Wildcats (6-5, 4-4), who have
shown perseverance amid a preseason hazing scandal that resulted
in the firing of longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald.
"Through the adversity, we've stayed strong and we've stayed
together," Porter said. "It was a blessing to come away with the
win and go out the right way."
Illinois (5-6, 3-5) is coming off a 15-13 road loss at Iowa. The
Fighting Illini surrendered a game-winning, 30-yard touchdown
run with 4:43 remaining in the game.
Iowa outgained Illinois 281-280 as both offenses struggled to
find room. Reggie Love III rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown
for Illinois, while John Paddock passed for 215 yards.
The Illini will aim to limit Northwestern with a defense that
has used its share of lineups this season, including true
freshmen such as Jaheim Clarke and Mac Resetich in the
secondary.
"Put ego aside," Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry
said. "I want to give whoever gives us the best chance to win
the opportunity. It's obviously a constant process. I don't want
nobody, especially in the secondary, to get comfortable thinking
it's their position because they've started in it or played in
it consistently. ... At the end of the day, it's about, 'Can you
do your job and can you execute your job?'"
Illinois leads the all-time series with Northwestern 57-54-5 and
is eyeing its third straight victory in the rivalry.
--Field Level Media
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