Out with the old, in with the new

CHAMPAIGN – It sits in the Northwestern football offices. Peacefully. It might be there 100 years from now. All we know for sure is that the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk isn't coming back this way.

The trophy, established in 1945, has been retired. The replacement, the Land of Lincoln Trophy, will be unveiled during today's game. Somebody will take it home.

Illinois plays three trophy games, but only Northwestern is annual. The series against Purdue (Cannon) and Ohio State (Illibuck) are broken up periodically by the Big Ten's schedule rotation. Illinois didn't play Purdue in 2007-08 and the Boilermakers maintained the trophy with a win Oct. 24 at West Lafayette.

Ohio State kept the Illibuck with a win at home Sept. 26. If the Illini don't regain the trophy on Oct. 2, 2010, it will be gone until at least 2013. The teams don't play in '11 and '12.

There is a place for the trophies in the new football facility underneath the north end zone.

"We need something to bring home," Illinois safety Garrett Edwards said. "We need to be looking at that in the offseason."

The Illinois players don't know much about the new trophy. Their first look at it will be today, when it is expected to be displayed on the sidelines.

"We were told about it," Edwards said. "We know we're not playing for the Sweet Sioux. That's gone.

"It's the first year for it, so it's big. It would be an honor to take it home the first year, so we're going to try to do that."

"We want it every year, but the first one's important," Illinois quarterback Jacob Charest said.

Offensive guard Jon Asamoah played for three Sweet Siouxs. The new trophy isn't as high on his priority list as getting another win. The senior needs to finish 3-0 to reach a bowl game.

"It's cool to play for a trophy," Asamoah said. "My major concern, and everyone else's major concern, is the defensive linemen in front of us trying to beat us."

Asamoah has seen Minnesota and Wisconsin wielding Paul Bunyan's Axe after their rivalry game.

"They've got some cool trophies there," Asamoah said. "We don't do things like that when we get ours. We're just happy to win the game."

That part hasn't been easy for Illinois in recent years. The late Randy Walker beat the Illini his final three seasons and four of his last six years. The 2000 team kept Illinois out of a bowl game with a 61-23 blowout at Evanston.

In 2001, with Illinois playing for an outright Big Ten title, the Wildcats were one overthrown pass away from spoiling the Thanksgiving Day celebration. That Northwestern team finished 4-7.

Walker's replacement, Pat Fitzgerald, has continued the run of success against the Illini. The only Northwestern loss to Illinois in Fitzgerald's first four games was against the 2007 Rose Bowl team.

The Wildcats spoiled Illinois' 2008 bowl hopes with a 27-10 win at Evanston.

Fitzgerald got a heavy dose of the series during his playing days with the Wildcats. He lost the first two games in 1993 and '94, but beat the Illini during consecutive Big Ten championship seasons in '95 and '96.

Given a choice, Fitzgerald wouldn't be playing for a new trophy today.

"Quite frankly, I'm a little disappointed that the Sweet Sioux isn't the trophy anymore," Fitzgerald said. "But I understand and respect the decisions and why they were made. It's a great tradition between our two schools."

Fitzgerald's seen the series from all angles: recruit, player, assistant coach, head coach.

"Both teams will play very physical," Fitzgerald said. "It should be just a tremendous football game."

For the Illinois players from the Chicago area, it's a chance to play against some old friends. And enemies. The Northwestern roster is splattered with Chicago area products.

"It's definitely a rivalry," Edwards said. "For the state of Illinois, who is the best team? I know some of these guys. I was recruited with them."

There is a strong tie beyond the field. Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips is an Illinois graduate. He was a manager for the 1989 Flyin' Illini basketball team. A football win against his alma mater is a priority.

And the teams have more to play for than a replica of Lincoln's famous stovepipe hat. The Wildcats are coming off an upset of previously undefeated Iowa. Now bowl eligible, they are trying to move up the Big Ten's postseason food chain.

Beat Illinois today and win next Saturday against Wisconsin, and the Wildcats can reach last year's nine-win total with a victory in their bowl game. Given major graduation losses, it was supposed to be a rebuilding year in Evanston. But the win against Iowa ended most of those thoughts.

For Illinois, the game means a chance to keep a bowl as a goal. Lose today – or Nov. 27 against Cincinnati or Dec. 5 against Fresno State – and the Illini are staying home for a second consecutive season.

But win today and the unlikely bowl scenario continues for at least another two weeks. And makes the Thanksgiving dinner taste a lot better for the players and coaches.

"They've got skill everywhere," Fitzgerald said of the Illini. "Not just in one area. They've got tremendous talent.

"They've just gotten better each week. We're playing a team that's playing it's best football of the year. On the road, it's going to be a huge challenge for us."

Both teams have quarterback injury issues. Illinois' Juice Williams has a sprained ankle, while Northwestern's Mike Kafka is nursing a sore hamstring.

Fitzgerald is impressed with Illinois backup Jacob Charest.

"What great poise he showed last week," Fitzgerald said. "I thought he played well, threw the ball well and managed the offense."

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