PHOTO GALLERY: Illini keep Land of Lincoln trophy
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Anthony Zilis
Multimedia Specialist
Illinois capped a turnaround 8-4 regular season with a 41-3 dismantling of Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston.
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Bret Bielema, left, and Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald share a few words after Illinois’ 41-3 win against Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston on Saturday evening. Bielema said Fitzgerald was the first Big Ten coach to reach out to him in the last two weeks after the unexpected deaths of Bielema’s mom, Marilyn, and his father-in-law, Greg Hielsberg.
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Illinois' Chase Brown runs toward the end zone during the Illini's 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Alex Palczewski, left, and Chase Brown both earned Associated Press All-American honors on Monday.
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Illinois' Chase Brown takes a handoff from quarterback Tommy DeVito during the Illini's 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois' Jamal Woods (91) and Seth Coleman (48) laugh during the Illini's 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois' Jamal Woods (91) and Seth Coleman (48) celebrate during the Illini's 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois' TeRah Edwards (23) and Jer'Zhan Newton come off the line during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown crosses the goal line for a 39-yard interception return touchdown during the third quarter of the Illini’s 41-3 victory against Northwestern on Saturday evening at Ryan Field in Evanston. Brown had two defensive touchdowns as Illinois won its second consecutive game over the rival Wildcats.
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Senior Sydney Brown and the lllini had plenty to celebrate: a 41-3 rout of Northwestern and the return of the Land of Lincoln Trophy to Champaign. Coverage — In Sports and at news-gazette.com.
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Illinois' Isaiah Adams carries the Land of Lincoln trophy on top of his head after Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
Plenty to celebrate
Illinois football players celebrate with the Land of Lincoln Trophy after the Illini’s 41-3 victory against Northwestern on Saturday night at Ryan Field in Evanston.
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Reggie Love III scores the opening touchdown of Illinois' game at Northwestern's Ryan Field in Evanston on Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito celebrates with teammate Reggie Love III after scoring a touchdown during Illinois’ game at Northwestern’s Ryan Field in Evanston on Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Reggie Love III (middle), celebrates with teammates Isaiah Williams (1) and Tip Reiman after scoring the opening touchdown of Illinois' game at Northwestern's Ryan Field in Evanston on Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito dives toward the endzone for a touchdown during Illinois' game at Northwestern's Ryan Field in Evanston on Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Running back Reggie Love III reaches the end zone for the opening touchdown of Illinois’ 41-3 victory against Northwestern on Saturday at Ryan Field in Evanston.
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Reggie Love III celebrates after scoring the opening touchdown of Illinois’ game against Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston on Saturday.
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Family and friends of Illinois football players gather before Saturday's game at Northwestern at a tailgate hosted by the parents of Illinois senior Alec Palczewski at Ryan Field in Evanston. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois fan Dick DiStasio, a 1976 graduate who went to the UI on a hockey scholarship before the school's Division I team disbanded, grills up hot dogs and hamburgers in a parking lot at Ryan Field. The Park Ridge resident hosted around 50 Illini fans at his tailgate before Saturday's game at Northwestern. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois fans gather outside Ryan Field before Saturday's game at Northwestern in Evanston. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois receiver Brian Hightower leans over to pick up a flag for pass interference during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito prepares for a snap during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois linebacker Kenenna Odeluga celebrates a tackle during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown receives a hug near the end of Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois receiver Isaiah Williams stays on his feet through contact after catching a pass during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois running back Chase Brown takes a handoff from quarterback Tommy DeVito during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Kendall Smith prepares for a snap during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin prepares for a snap during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown prepares for a snap during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Tommy DeVito has thrown for 2,397 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions to go along with a 69.9 percent completion percentage in his first season as Illinois’ quarterback. The Illini will face No. 24 Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa, Fla.
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Quarterback Tommy DeVito has thrown for 2,397 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions in his only season at Illinois. DeVito and the 8-4 Illini will play No. 24 Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2.
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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon prepares for a snap during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters
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Illinois running back Reggie Love III breaks free from the Northwestern defense during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon covers Northwestern receiver Reggie Fleurima during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon breaks loose after intercepting a pass during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon breaks loose after intercepting a pass during Illinois’ 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday.
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A mixture of Illinois fans in orange and Northwestern fans in purple and black filled the Ryan Field bleachers during Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois players walk off the field during halftime of Illinois' 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois running back Chase Brown announced Friday he will enter the NFL draft and won't play in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2.
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Keith Randolph Jr., Calvin Avery, Johnny Newton and the rest of the Illinois football team will line up against No. 24 Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon celebrates a tackle during the Illini's 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters shouts to his team after a penalty during the Illini's 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Tyler Strain looks to the sideline during the Illini's 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown celebrates a touchdown after intercepting a pass during the Illini’s 41-3 win over Northwestern.
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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon
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Illinois cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown during the Illini’s 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Illinois players gather on the sideline during their 41-3 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
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Will Illini fans get a chance to watch the Illinois football team play in Nashville, Tenn.? The Music City Bowl is considered a possible bowl destination for the Illini.
Anthony Zilis
Multimedia Specialist
Anthony Zilis is a multimedia specialist at The News-Gazette. His email is azilis@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@adzilis).
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