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Game 12 vs. Illinois < < < 5 MATCHUP SETTING THE STAGE The Wildcats will look to make it four-straight victories over in- state foe Illinois on Saturday when they host the Fighting Illini at Ryan Field. The 'Cats have outscored Illinois over the last three seasons, 108-42. A win over Illinois on Saturday would match the 'Cats' longest winning streak in the series for the fifth time and would make the 2018 senior class just the eighth in program history to finish with a perfect record in the series. BIG TEN WEST CHAMPS KEEP RUNNING THE DIVISION Northwestern earned its 10th-straight victory over Big Ten West Division foes with a 24-14 victory at Minnesota last week. The Wildcats are a perfect 5-0 versus inner-divisional foes this season with the regular-season finale versus in-state rival Illinois on the horizon. BOWSER'S CASTLE First-year running back Isaiah Bowser carried the ball 29 times for 85 yards and matched his season high with two rushing touchdowns in the win at Minnesota. Bowser has been one of the most productive running backs in the country over the last five weeks, rushing for 568 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks 12th in the country and third among first-year running backs during the span and his 141 carries over the last five games are the most of any player in the country. CHICAGO'S BIG TEN TEAM Chicago's Big Ten Team™ improved to 7-1 in Big Ten play for the first time since 1995 with its win at Minnesota. With the win, the Wildcats also... ...Extended their road winning streak to eight games. ...Matched a program record with their eighth-straight Big Ten road victory. ...Improved to 14-1 over their last 15 conference contests. THE BEST BIG TEN SACKER Junior defensive end Joe Gaziano's sack and forced fumble moved him into a tie with Corey Wootton (2006-09) for fourth in program history with 19.5 career sacks. Gaziano has recorded 16.5 of his 19.5 career sacks in Big Ten play and his 15 sacks over the last two seasons are tied for the second most in the Big Ten during that span. SENIOR DAY IS TODAY Northwestern will honor the careers of 19 Wildcat student- athletes and 10 students who assist in the day-to-day operations of the program prior to Saturday's regular-season finale versus Illinois. Notes on the senior class are below... ...34 victories and 25 Big Ten victories over the last four years are most in program history. ...39 victories over last five years are second in NU history and 28 Big Ten wins are a program record. ...Helped earn first Big Ten West Division title and berth in Big Ten Championship game in program history. ...The 2018 senior class has earned a trip to four-straight bowl games and has the opportunity to become the first class in program history to win three bowl games. 10K TOSSING CLUB With 230 passing yard versus Minnesota, senior quarterback Clayton Thorson surpassed 10,000 career passing yards and now ranks sixth in Big Ten history with 10,113. Thorson needs just 349 yards to pass Chuck Long (10,461; Iowa, 1981-85) for fifth and 468 to set Northwestern's program record held by Brett Basanez (10,580; 2002-05). Thorson is the first player in Big Ten history to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 20 touchdowns in a career. The Wheaton, Illinois, native scored his 24th career rushing touchdown with a 13-yard keeper versus Minnesota, marking his 20th career game with a rushing score. The Wildcats are 16-4 during Thorson's career when he scores a touchdown on the ground. WHILLOCK WITH THE WALLOP Sophomore safety Travis Whillock led the team in tackles for the third-straight game with a career-high 15 stops last week, including a careerhigh 11 solo tackles. Whillock's 34 tackles over the last three games are the most in the Big Ten and the 11th most in the country. His 11 solo tackles were the most by a NU defensive back since Godwin Igwebuike had versus Nebraska on Sept. 24, 2016. W.I.N. (WHAT'S IMPORTANT NOW) According to ESPN Stats and Info, Northwestern is the first team in FBS history to go winless in nonconference play and win a division title. But who cares, because Northwestern is going to Indianapolis!