break free from a 90th-place title track ranking this year.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Justin Jackson ran his way into the Northwestern record books in just three seasons and could finish his career as the schools all-time leading rusher.Still, he is content right now to share the running back position with emerging newcomer John Moten.Jackson rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns, Moten added 128 yards and two touchdowns and Northwestern became bowl eligible with a 42-21 victory over Illinois on Saturday.Its cool, Jackson said. I think Johns come a long way. Hes obviously shown the player he can be. Its pretty exciting.Clayton Thorson completed 13 of 20 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown as the Wildcats improved to 6-6 and 5-4 in the Big Ten.Im excited that I get one more opportunity to be with them on the field in a game, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said.The first couple of weeks certainly didnt look good, but its a credit to the seniors we were able to come back.Wes Lunt completed 28 of 54 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns (with one interception) for Illinois (3-9, 2-7), which closed out its first season under coach Lovie Smith with three straight losses.We have an idea of what we need to do and what direction we need to go in all areas, Smith said. This is the start. You dont like to be in this situation, but thats normally how it happens.After trailing 21-0, Illinois rallied for two touchdowns to pull within 21-14 at halftime and appeared headed for a game-tying score on its first possession of the second half when things fell apart.First, running back Reggie Corbin fumbled at the 8-yard line and safety Godwin Igwebuike recovered to give the ball -- and momentum -- back to Northwestern.Two plays later, Illinois safety Stanley Green was ejected after a targeting penalty for a hit on wide receiver Flynn Nagel. The 15-yard penalty (on top of the 10-yard completion) advanced the ball to the NU 46. Jackson then broke a 54-yard scoring run to make it 28-14 with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter.Leading 35-21 early in the fourth quarter, Northwestern put the game away on a 4-yard TD run by Jackson. The score was set up by a 66-yard interception return by Montre Hartage to the 5.THE TAKEAWAYIllinois: The Illinis 28 first-time starters this season heading into Saturday were the most in the nation, which is a sign the program is in the early stages of a rebuilding plan. To have any chance of flipping the record next season, more consistent offensive production is a must. Lunts 19-yard TD pass to Malik Turner in the second was the Illinis first TD in nine quarters.Northwestern: Although its a far cry from last years 10 wins, winning two of the final three games to become bowl eligible is an accomplishment for a program that doesnt take winning for granted -- especially after losing to Western Michigan and Illinois State to start the season.MOVING UPJackson moved into second place on NUs all-time rushing list -- passing Darnell Autry (3,793) and Tyrell Sutton (3,886) -- with 3,905 yards. Jackson, who has 27 career rushing TDs, trails only Damien Anderson (4,485).Its pretty cool, Jackson said. Theres obviously a history of good running backs coming through here. Im just glad we could get a win on a day like this.1-2 PUNCHMoten, a redshirt freshman, set the tone with two first-quarter touchdowns, including a 43-yarder. Jackson answered with three of his own, including a mesmerizing 54-yarder.He said his long run was aided by watching. Sometimes you can see stuff from the sidelines you dont necessarily see on the field, he said. I saw some things from his long runs and applied it when I was on the field.INJURIESIllinois running back Kendrick Foster suffered an apparent right-leg injury on the third play from scrimmage and did not return. Foster took the handoff and immediately dropped to the ground -- without being touched -- for a 1-yard loss.UP NEXTIllinois: The Illinis season is over.Northwestern: The regular season is over, but the Wildcats will make a second straight bowl appearance. Dickie Moore Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Charlie Lindgren Jersey . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. http://www.canadienssale.com/authentic-xavier-ouellet-canadiens-jersey/ . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Guy Lapointe Canadiens Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Howie Morenz Canadiens Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Milwaukee BucksOverall: 72 Title track: T90 Ownership: 61 Coaching: 59 Players: 67 Fan relations: 72 Affordability: 38 Stadium experience: 113 Bang for the buck: 81 Change from last year: -7Last year, it all seemed to be going well for the Bucks after an impressive, 55-spot jump in these standings. But just when we thought it was headed for the top half, the team slipped back into old habits and dropped seven spots from last year. Under head coach Jason Kidd, the teams future remains cloudy, but the leadership on the team will have to step up if the Bucks want to compete against the best NBA franchises.Whats goodAlthough the Bucks remain in a rebuilding phase, fans can enjoy attending games for a low price and little hassle. With among the most affordable tickets in the game (ranging from $9 to $178) and ranking 38th in affordability, the BMO Harris Bradley Center should draw big enough crowds to create hype and help the Bucks to more wins this season. Of course, with ownership set to open a new arena in the next few years (which is sorely needed -- see that 113th-ranked stadium experience), whether ticket prices stay affordable remains to be seen. In the meantime, PR Director Mark Rosenberg says improvements are coming to the Bradley Center: In the past year weve opened three new club spaces and partnered with multiple local restaurants to expand our concessions offerings. Weve also upgraded our public in-arena wifi network, added in-seat ordering capability through our Bucks mobile app for merchandise, and invested heavily in customer service training programs for our ffrontline staff.ddddddddddddWhats badWhen the Bucks didnt make the playoffs last season, it didnt come as a shock to most fans (the Bucks got bounced in six in the first round in 2014-15). But there were signs of promise throughout the regular season: back-to-back wins over the Pacers and Timberwolves, not to mention victories over the Warriors and Cavaliers. Call us crazy, but it almost seems like this team has serious potential to break free from a 90th-place title track ranking this year. A few more wins would go a long way to helping that 83rd-place bang for the buck finish too.Whats newLast year, fans of Milwaukee embraced the young Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker and Greg Monroe increased optimism in the roster and gave fans hope for playoff contention and a long-lasting season. But after a 33-49 season and the teams 12th-place finish in the Eastern Conference, fans are growing less certain about the Bucks players and coaches. The roster lands at 67th overall (down 37 spots), so Kidd (down 40 spots to 59th) still has his sights set on rebuilding. In 2016-17, the Bucks hope new signee Matthew Dellavedova and top draft pick Thon Maker will bring more depth and talent to the group.?Were very excited about the direction of our team on the court, says Rosenberg. We have a future Hall-of-Famer as a coach in Jason Kidd and a nucleus of young talent in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton that is as promising as any group in the league.Next: Minnesota Timberwolves?| Full rankings ' ' '