Sept. 13--Northwestern blew out Eastern Illinois 41-0 Saturday afternoon as the Wildcats improved to 2-0.
The NU defense is yet to give up a touchdown in this young season.
NU quarterback Clayton Thorson completed 11 of 16 passes for 152 yards. He also ran 8 yards for a TD. Justin Jackson rushed for 78 yards on 22 carries. Warren Long had 12 carries for 72 yards.
Jack Mitchell kicked field goals of 22 and 38 yards in the first half.
The Wildcats upset Stanford, 16-6, in the season-opener at Ryan Field, while the Panthers (0-1) suffered a 33-5 opening loss at Western Illinois.
On scholarship: NU coach Pat Fitzgerald tweeted that junior kicker Mitchell, linebacker Josh Roberts and wide receiver Austin Carr have earned scholarships based on their performances.
Mr. Clutch: Northwestern senior wide receiver Christian Jones caught five passes in the season-opener, and four of them were third- or fourth-down conversions for first downs.
Slow start: Eastern Illinois dropped its season-opener on the road for the second straight year. Last Saturday marked the first time EIU had dropped a season-opener to an FCS opponent since 2004.
Opening honors: Northwestern middle linebacker Anthony Walker was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and red-shirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
NU injury report: Out: WR Cameron Dickerson, OL Matt Frazier, DB Jared McGee and OL Eric Olson. Questionable: OL Brad North, WR Miles Shuler. Probable: OL Ian Park.
Quotable: Fitzgerald: "You can see what we can potentially be, (but) I'm done with potential. I want to see production."
