Northwestern at No. 24 Illinois
A social media recap of Northwestern's 38-35 loss at No. 24 Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011.
Northwestern begins Big Ten play today with another beginning: The official start of the #PersaStrong season. Senior Dan Persa is expected to start against Illinois as the two teams battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy. Northwestern won the trophy in its first year in 2009 before Illinois captured it in 2010 at Wrigley Field. The Land of Lincoln Trophy replaced the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, which was retired following NU's victory in 2008 and permanently resides in the Nicolet Football Center in Evanston.
It looks like Persa's right leg is heavily wrapped, but he is moving around well in warm-ups. #persastrong #Northwestern #NUvsIllini
It's great to see Dan Persa and Roderick Goodlow warming up on the field for #Northwestern.
Dan Persa returning for #Northwestern certainly an interesting thing to keep my eye on as well.
Shouted "Go U, NU!" when I crossed the Illinois Marathon finish for a PR last April. Let's hope there is more of that today. #NUatIlliniA few fans made last second preparations before kickoff, which Steve Flaherty sent to the Illini -- and Illinois fumbled and stumbled to a return to its own four yard line.
Most chores done and ready for some Wildcat football. GO CATS! @NUSports #NUatIllini
Jerry Angelo in the house for #northwestern-illinois. So who will succeed Cutler -- Persa or Scheelhaase?
AJ Jenkins fumbles the opening kick into the endzone, then inexplicably tries to return it, #Illinois starts at their own 5. #NorthwesternIllinois gets a big play to get away from its own goal line, but three NU TFL's end the drive.
There's the key for the #Northwestern defense: DT Jack DiNardo. Comes up with a sack on second down, followed by a Quentin Williams sack.
No protection for Scheelhaase in opening #Illini series. 2 sacks by #Northwestern and, after 40-yd pass, 11 lost yards.
Gotta love Fitz putting Colter in slot with Persa at QB. Persa still looking tenative. Can't blame him. #Northwestern #Illini
One drive down for Dan Persa. #Illinois came after him and #Northwestern got just two. Still looking to get comfortable.
Illini get a pass interference call on 3rd and 8. Gonna be 1st down inside wildcats 15. #illini #northwestern- Brian Peters picks of Scheelhaase to preserve the 0-0 score early. Big play by Peters and the D-Line! #NUatIllini
B peters = drive killin assassin! Go cats, lovin the D, but less big plays pls #nuatillini
