CHICAGO -- After punting on its first possession, Northwestern responded to an Illinois touchdown drive with a long drive of its own. Redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson found superback Dan Vitale for a 19-yard touchdown.
The five-play, 76-yard drive also included a 48-yard completion from Thorson to wide receiver Austin Carr. The touchdown tied the game at 7-7 with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter.