A true tale of two halves, especially for No. 12 under center
On a beautiful night in Evanston, Northwestern defeated Eastern Illinois (EIU) 31-7. After a slow first 29 minutes, NU began to wear EIU down behind a consistent rushing attack and a dominant defensive line.
Jack Lausch had a tough first half, with under 65 yards passing and a 45% completion percentage. However, he found it in the second half and led the ‘Cats with 227 yards and two touchdowns. Cam Porter paced NU on the ground with 15 carries for 77 yards and one touchdown. A.J. Henning had a monster second half with receptions of 45 yards and 46 yards, totaling 117 yards and one touchdown for the game. On the defensive side, Northwestern was ruthless up front, holding the Panthers to 207 total yards and 40 yards on the ground.
EIU’s quarterback Pierce Holley threw for 167 yards and one touchdown. EIU was able to stay in the game initially but was clearly outmatched in the final 30 minutes.
The first drive started off promising for Lausch and NU but quickly stalled. After an incomplete pass to start the game, Porter ran for a hard-earned 10 yards. While he fumbled the next play, Northwestern regained control and Joe Himon II scampered for 17 yards. Lausch picked up his first completion to Henning and following a few short gains to set up fourth-and-1, Porter was stymied up the middle, turning the ball over on downs.
EIU wasn’t able to capitalize on great field position for its first possession, going three-and-out. The next drive didn’t look much better for the ‘Cats as errant passes led to the team’s first punt.
Despite the team’s offense struggling, NU’s defense stepped up. Led by a sack from Aidan Hubbard, his first of the year, Northwestern forced another punt and had its third possession of the contest midway through the first.
The ‘Cats began to punish EIU on the ground, giving the ball to Porter with great success. Following a few incompletions, Lausch broke contain with carries of 26 and 17 yards bringing the ball to the 1-yard-line. A play later, Porter walked into the end zone, giving NU a 7-0 lead at the end of the first frame.
Can’t Catch Cam @camporter02
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— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 15, 2024
Beginning the second quarter, the Panthers racked up a few completions and converted a fourth down on a strong Pierce Holley run. After a holding penalty and a reception by Eli Mirza, EIU reached the red zone. Holley delivered a strike to Mirza the following play and knotted up the score 7-7.
Himon II returned the next kickoff to 40-yard line, but Northwestern wasn’t able to take advantage of the great field position with a quick three-and-out. After another lightning-fast possession from EIU, the ‘Cats regained control in prime position at the 44-yard line. NU began to bully its way down the field once again with rushes by Lausch and Porter. However, the drive stalled after that, and Tre’Jon Lewis blocked Jack Olsen’s 42-yard attempt.
NU was letting the Panthers hang around, exactly what it didn’t want to do with an FCS opponent coming to town. Holley completed a deep shot to Anthony Manaves to set up a field goal opportunity, but the ‘Cats responded with a Najee Story block of their own to deny EIU three points.
After a few short completions, on third down, Lausch eluded traffic and found a streaking Marshall Lang down the middle for 19 yards. He settled into a rhythm with completions to Himon II and Thomas Gordon. With 21 seconds remaining in the first half, Himon II streaked to the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. Despite a disappointing first half, NU took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
Breakaway Speed @JosephHimon
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— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 15, 2024
Northwestern relied on the run game for much of the first half, totaling 173 yards on 21 carries at an impressive 8.2 yard clip. The passing game was a different story with Lausch consistently underthrowing passes. The redshirt sophomore was 9-for-20 for 64 yards in the first 30 minutes.
Defensively, the ‘Cats were stout against the run, holding EIU to 27 yards on 10 carries. Outside of the 75-yard touchdown drive, the Panthers weren’t able to get much going with only 48 yards outside of that. Despite a seven-point lead, NU had a lot to improve heading into the second half.
To begin the third frame, Northwestern’s defense continued its quality play, forcing a quick punt. After a short gain from Himon II, Lausch found Henning down the middle for a 45-yard completion. While the drive fizzled after that, Olsen drained a 46-yard try to make it 17-7.
Chicagoland Connection @jack_lausch ➡️ @AJHenning3
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— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 15, 2024
EIU started its next drive with a first down, but that momentum was quickly erased. Devin Turner nabbed an interception to put the ‘Cats in full command. Soon after, NU picked up three first downs, marching inside the five-yard line after Gordon secured a 15-yard catch. Lausch finished off the drive with a 3-yard completion to Henning, Northwestern’s first passing touchdown of the season and the first of Lausch’s career. With a 24-7 lead heading into the fourth, Northwestern (and specifically Lausch) finally settled in.
Lausch ➡️ Henning. SIX.
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— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 15, 2024
EIU didn’t go down easily, moving the ball down the field with multiple first downs to start the final frame. However, after sacks from Michael Kilbane and Dylan Roberts, the Panthers turned the ball over on downs at the Northwestern 21-yard line with 11:06 left in the game.
The ‘Cats didn’t let up with Lausch finding Henning for a 46-yard gain and Calvin Johnson II for 16 yards. He finished off the drive with a nine-yard dime to Lang. The Chicago native had completed all nine passes in the second half and was clearly finding a groove. With NU up 31-7, the game was all but over.
Lausch ➡️ Lang
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— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 15, 2024
Mike Wright entered the game for the final 5:30. Right away, the graduate found Hunter Welcing for his first career reception, but the drive stalled as the clock ticked away. From there, the ‘Cats closed out the contest.
Northwestern will be back in action Saturday on FS1 at 6 p.m. CST for its first Big Ten game of the season against Washington. The Huskies will be a major step up from EIU, and the ‘Cats will have to bring their best in Seattle.