Geography and the Tomahawk Trophy once again will add fuel to Illinois’ competitive fire for Saturday’s season-ending game at Northwestern, according to senior offensive tackle Bucky Babcock.
“There are two schools with so many guys from Illinois on both sides, and having a trophy there makes it a natural rivalry,” said Babcock, who has started every game of his career except for the 2002 Sugar Bowl game that he sat out with an injury.
“We want to have the young guys bring home a traveling trophy.”
The schools’ rivalry dates to 1892, and the Tomahawk Trophy that goes to the winner of each year’s game was inaugurated in 1947. Illinois leads the series 51-41-5.
“I don’t think [the Wildcats] like us too much and I don’t like them too much,” said junior defensive tackle Ryan Matha.