Northwestern Loses QB to ACL.

That's tough for a senior to go out that way.

Man that blows for Siemian.

Who is there back-up? This has to increase Illinois shot at a 'W' on Saturday in the "bowl eligibilty play-in game".

Jeepers. Not good for the guy.

Oh my crap.... Could Illinois really be looking at a bowl game??

EDIT: Beat me to it, bigelow.

Zack Oliver is the primary back-up,but redshirt freshman Matt Alvitti is probably the starter-in-waiting. Alvitti was a Rivals 4-star in high school with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Purdue. He was a highly-ranked dual-threat QB from Park Ridge, Illinois (suburban Chicago). My guess is Fitzgerald will want to get a dual-threat guy back under center. They've missed that element with Siemian. Still stinks for Siemian.

PS--Northwestern also has true freshman Clayton Thorson who the Gophers recruited. He was also ranked quite highly coming out of high school (another suburban Chicago kid). I doubt they will burn Thorson's redshirt, but he'll be in the mix for next year.