Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase bowled his way into the end zone with 13 seconds remaining, sending Illinois to a 38-35 win over Northwestern on Saturday afternoon in the Big Ten opener for both scores. Scheelhaase finished with a career-high 391 yards, three touchdowns and one pick as the Illini move up six slots to number-16 in the USA Today Football Poll with a 5-and-0 mark.

A.J Jenkins also had a career day for the Fighting Illini catching 12 passes for 268 yards and three scores. Wildcats quarterback Dan Persa played in his first game since last November when he suffered a ruptured Achille's tendon, throwing for 123 yards and a career-high four touchdowns as Northwestern falls to 2-and-2.