Well it has come down to this. Illinois needs to beat Northwestern to not only retain the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, but to be bowl-eligible. Great job Ron Guenther! Anyhow, for those going to Evanston, dress warmly and don't park in Evanston. A member of the dreaded e-mail clan once got a parking ticket for having his rear bumper stick out about 2 inches into an alley. This week's tale recalls when Illinois had to beat Northwestern to be bowl-eligible.

November 19, 1988: Illinois needed to win to go bowling for the first time in three years. After a slow start under first-year Head Coach/Athletic Director John Mackovic, Illinois showed dramatic improvement behind Quarterback Jeff George, who had transferred from Purdue. Beating Northwestern and going bowling would show Illini Nation that the program was heading in the right direction: UP!

Illinois started brightly. An 84-yard drive featured a 57-yard run by Keith Jones (22 carries, 118 yards) capped by some "trickeration." George pitched to Jones. George then walked unnoticed into the flat and Jones stopped, turned and threw an 11-yard wounded duck that George caught near the goal line and fell backwards into the end zone. "I think my speed got me open on that one," George remarked. After stopping the Wildcats, Illinois then marched again, with Howard Griffith running 6 yards to give Illinois a 14-0 lead with 3:00 left in the first quarter.

However, after those drives, the UI offense fell asleep. One must give credit to the Northwestern defense. Meantime, Northwestern put together two long drives in the second quarter, but the UI defense held the Wildcats to field goals. Illinois led 14-6 at halftime. In the third quarter, Northwestern marched again, but could only muster a field goal. Illinois now led 14-9 going into the fourth quarter.

Finally, the UI offense woke up and drove to the Northwestern ten-yard line. However, Doug Higgins missed a 27-yard field goal. Northwestern took over on its own 20-yard line with 3:50 remaining. Quarterback Greg Bradshaw (20 of 34, 190 yards passing) led Northwestern to the UI 24. On third down, Bradshaw passed to Richard Buchanan in the end zone. Marlon Primous deflected the pass. Now, on 4th down and 4 yards for a first down, with 20 seconds remaining, Bradshaw dropped back to pass. He threw to Bob Griswold (8 catches, 90 yards) in the middlle of the field, about two yards from the end zone. Griswold caught the pass, despite playing with a broken hand. Primous again was the Illini on the spot, hammering Griswold. The ball fell loose and Darrick Brownlow recovered, preserving a 14-9 Illini win and a bowl bid!

"In all my years in football, I don't think I've ever seen a player make two better plays at the end of the game," observed John Mackovic. Brownlow and Steve Glasson each were credited with 17 tackles. The small crowd of 42,329 rejoiced in the cold weather. Northwestern won the statistical battle: 22 first downs to 12. 34:45 time of possession to 25:15. 375 total yards to 292 total yards. However, Illinois was +3 on turnovers and that was the difference. Illinois could make plans for the All-American Bowl in Birmingham and a date with the Florida Gators and its star running back, Emmitt Smith.

Sources: "illini fight off NU, save bowl berth" by Linda Young. Chicago Tribune: November 20, 1988. Credit to Detlef's parents for the research.

I was at the game and remember the game well including how cold it was. I also recall the last two plays. I was thinking that Brownlow was the one who hit Griswold. My memory is probably fuzzy after so many years. Regardless, whoever made the hit, Primous or Brownlow, it was one of the hardest hits I have ever seen. The moment Griswold caught the ball and started to turn to go in the end zone I though for sure we had lost the game. Bang--big hit, fumble and we all were celebrating the win. It felt like snatching a victory from certain defeat. The only problem, IIRC, we lost in the bowl like 30 to 0. Regardless, the NW game was great. I hope the memory helps us win this Sat.

No, we lost the All-American Bowl 14-10 to Florida. IIRC Emmitt scored a late rushing touchdown.

the 30-0 beating was by Clemson in the Hall of Fame Bowl after the 1990 season.

Thanks for the clarification Detlef.