With the score at 24-9 Northwestern, TJ Green entered the game to replace Clayton Thorson. Isaiah Bowser hadn’t entered the game since the third quarter, and Pat Fitzgerald had effectively conceded the Northwestern offense for the day, in hopes of keeping its premier players healthy.
The reason Northwestern was up 15 in the first place is due to its “bend don’t break defense.” On Illinois’ three previous trips to the red zone, the Illini had to settle for three field goals. This isn’t a new style for the Northwestern defense; they’ve held their opponents to a field goal attempt or less on 55 percent of their attempts in the red zone.