Mixed Results for Illinois Football Teams

By Todd McClamroch in News on Sep 4, 2007 5:23PM

Northern Illinois traveled to Soldier Field this weekend for the "Geico Soldier Field Showdown" where a sell-out crowd saw them fall to the Iowa Hawkeyes 16-3. Former Huskie standout running back Garret Wolfe signed with the Bears for the 2007 season, but unfortunately for Northern Illinois he was not in pads on Saturday for the Huskies. The Northern Illinois offense only netted 21 rushing yards compared to the Hawkeyes, who had two 100-yard rushers and in total ran for 250 yards on the day. Northern Illinois will return to action on Saturday, September 8, when they host Southern Illinois in DeKalb.

Illinois came back from 24 down to have an opportunity to defeat Missouri, but a late interception led to a 40-34 defeat for the Illini. Starting quarterback Juice Williams was injured midway through the game and was replaced by redshirt freshman, Eddie McGee, who led the comeback charge. McGee went 17-for-31 and tallied up 257 yards and a touchdown. On the downside, he gave up two interceptions and a few fumbles as Illinois fell short of the comeback victory. It is expected Williams will be ready to play next weekend when Illinois hosts Western Illinois.

Northwestern was able to notch a victory in their 2007 home and season opener, shutting out Northeastern 27-0 at Ryan Field. Junior Wildcat quarterback C.J. Bachér looked good for the Cats, completing 23 of 29 passing attempts for 243 yards and a touchdown, and he also rushed for one touchdown. The defense kept Northeastern off the board and secured the Wildcats' first shutout since 1997 when they defeated Oklahoma 24-0. The Wildcats host Nevada next Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field in Evanston.

AP PHOTO/JERRY LAI.