A lot of people left Memorial Stadium on Saturday upset at the officiating late in Saturday's game against Northwestern...And I can understand that.

But where the Illini lost the game to Northwestern was in the first quarter.  After a 40-yard kickoff return by Regis Benn on the opening kickoff got things jumpstarted.....The Illini couldnt cash in on the momentum and were forced to punt. 

Then after stopping the Wildcat offense.....a 12-yard punt by Wildcat punter Stefan Demos set up the Illini at the Northwestern 35-yard line.  But after moving quickly to the 4-yard line ...the Jacob Charest-led offense stalled out and placekicker Matt Eller was called upon to put the Illini ahead with a chip-shot 23 yard field goal. He missed.  With the great field position they were handed...at worst....the Illni could have a lot of momentum .....and  maybe a  6-0 lead. 

Northwestern didnt exactly sparkle in the first quarter either....missing 2 field goals of their own ...but who knows what might have happened if the Illini had jumped on the Wildcats early in the game when given the chance.  My guess is....it would not have come down to a replay review at the end.

The Illini have a bye week and then two non-conference games at Cincinnati the day after Thanksgiving and against Fresno State in December. The big question for Ron Zook's team now is : What will the Illini frame of mind be as they head for Thanksgiving (and the end of the line for the senior class) without a bowl game to look forward to?

Stay tuned.

Speaking of "staying tuned"...make sure to join us for Illini basketball against Northern Illinois on Tuesday night at 7 pm.