CHAMPAIGN – A last-gasp Illini drive ended in a controversial interception ruling that was supported by the replay official.

With less than 40 seconds left in the game and Illinois facing fourth and 1 at its own 30, Jacob Charest threw to Jarred Fayson near the right sideline. The line judge ruled that Fayson, who fell to the field while trying to make the catch, never had possession of the ball. With the ball still on Fayson's body, Wildcats cornerback Sherrick McManis grabbed it for what was ruled an interception. Because the ball had yet to touch the field, it remained a "live" ball.

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.

Trailing 21-9 in the fourth quarter, Illinois needed points in a hurry for any chance to get back into the game. It was understandable, then, that the crowd expressed its unhappiness whenever a running play was called. It didn't help the crowd's mood that little came of those ground attempts.

LOOKING GOOD: Minnesota. Sure, the fans want Tim Brewster fired after another dismal performance. But for the second consecutive season, the Gophers have reached the required six wins, which means another month of practice and a faraway trip. Illinois, which hasn't made bowls in back-to-back seasons since who knows when, would love to trade places.

The Wildcats have owned the Illini in recent years, winning five of the last six games between the schools. The permanent owners of the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk will take the Land of Lincoln Trophy too, winning 32-28 (N-G record: 5-4).

It can happen. You can come off the pace and earn yourself a bowl bid.

In 2008, nine schools were under .500 after nine games and still made it to bowls. Two schools, North Carolina State and Southern Miss, were 3-6. The rest were 4-5.

News and notes from Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium:

Q: Jacob Charest is in your class. How's he doing?

A: He's doing good. He's got a lot of confidence. The first time I met him, I kind of laughed because of Hoover High School and how they have their hair. I thought he was from Alabama.