Northwestern (1-0) took full advantage of its opportunity to rebound from its season-opening loss to Tulane, cruising to a 42-7 win over Western Illinois (0-2) on Friday night.
Quarterback Preston Stone completed 21 of his 29 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns, improving greatly from his five-turnover debut. The SMU transfer tossed a trio of scores to sophomore wideout Hayden Eligon II, graduate tight end Hunter Welcing and sophomore receiver Drew Wagner, the first career touchdown for each pass-catcher.
South Dakota State transfer Griffin Wilde was Stone's favorite target, hauling in five catches for 94 yards.
Northwestern's offense thoroughly outgained Western Illinois', finishing with 526 yards of total offense to the Leathernecks' 181. The 'Cats' defense stifled their FCS opponent, allowing just 110 yards through the air on 12-for-27 passing. Linebacker Mac Uihlein also picked off a pass after a deflection from Braden Turner.
The Wildcats marched right down the field to start, finding the end zone for the first time this season and scoring their first opening-drive touchdown of the Zach Lujan era. Sixth-year running back Cam Porter initially appeared to be stuffed on a third-down run, but broke free for a 43-yard touchdown to give Northwestern the lead. The three-year captain left in the third quarter after suffering a lower-body injury, ending his day with 114 total yards and a score on 15 touches.
NU's defense forced a three-and-out, and Lujan used the opportunity to open up the Northwestern offense. Stone found Wilde on a 46-yard deep ball on the first play of the drive, though the pass might have been a touchdown if it hadn't been underthrown. The 'Cats continued to move the ball nonetheless and took a two-touchdown lead after Stone threw a sidearm pass to Eligon in the end zone.
As well as Eligon's first career touchdown catch, the score marked Stone's first touchdown pass in purple. Tight end Lawson Albright caught the Leathernecks off-guard on the PAT by taking the direct snap in for two, giving the 'Cats a 15-0 lead just 8:16 into the first quarter.
Northwestern's offense stalled following the hot start. After compiling 153 yards over the first two drives of the game, the Wildcats totaled just 26 yards with three punts and a fumble on the ensuing four possessions.
However, Stone and the 'Cats finished the half strong. The graduate transfer quarterback led NU on a 12-play, 83-yard drive in under four minutes, capping off the second quarter with a six-yard touchdown to Welcing on a back-shoulder fade. Welcing's third catch of his five-year career put the Wildcats ahead by 22 at the break.
Northwestern continued to move the ball well after halftime, scoring on its first four drives. With the 'Cats up, 28-0, Stone notched his third touchdown of the day on a touch pass to Wagner, who used his speed to reach the edge and score. Backup quarterback Ryan Boe put the cherry on top of the Wildcats' win with a 58-yard rushing touchdown that featured a devastating stiff arm.
Western Illinois later earned its first touchdown of the day with 2:47 remaining.
The 'Cats will be back in action on Saturday, September 13, when Northwestern hosts the No. 7 Oregon Ducks.
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