EVANSTON, Ill. – Time of possession weighed heavily in Northwestern's advantage in the first half Saturday afternoon as the Wildcats built a 27-0 lead at the half winning 41-0 over Eastern Illinois.
The loss ended a 139 consecutive game streak by Eastern Illinois in which the Panthers had scored. The last time EIU was shut out in a game was Oct. 11, 2003, 41-0 loss to Eastern Kentucky.
EIU fell to 0-2 and will host Illinois State next Saturday night in the 104th playing of the Mid-America Classic. Game time is 7 p.m. at O'Brien Field with tickets available by calling 217-581-2106. Northwestern moved to 2-0 on the year.
The Wildcats held the ball for more than 20 minutes in the first half and 37:05 for the game. NU used that time advantage to rush for three first half touchdowns and finish with 265 yards in the first half. Northwestern had 496 total yards for the game.
Eastern Illinois defense held on the first Northwestern drive of the game as the Panthers made three stop inside the 10 yard line. The Wildcats would settle for a Jack Mitchell 22-yard field goal at 9:41.
Jarvis Williams and
Dino Fanti both had tackles for loss for the Panthers defense.
The Northwestern defense helped set up the Wildcats second score as Max Chapman and Dean Lowry sacked EIU quarterback
Jalen Whitlow at midfield on a fourth down play. Justin Jackson found the end zone ten plays later to put NU up 10-0 with 1:40 to play in the first on the 11-yard scamper.
EIU's defense once again held the Wildcats out of the end zone in the second quarter as a Wildcats drive ended in a Mitchell 33-yard field goal with 12:09 in the second giving NU a 13-0 lead. Following a quick offensive possession by EIU, Northwestern drove the field setting up a Warren Long 8-yard run with 6:12 to play in the second as NU lead 20-0.
The Wildcats closed the first half with a Clayton Thorson 8-yard touchdown with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.
EIU had 43 yards of offense in the first with transfer
Devin Church one of the bright spots. Church rushed for 32 first half yards and had 95 yards in kick returns. Church finished with 183 all-purpose yards for the Panthers.
Northwestern's defense was able to hold to open the third quarter as Deonte Gibson's sack ended an EIU drive that had the ball inside the Northwestern 30. After the defensive stand the Wildcats answered with a touchdown drive as Thorson hit Austin Carr for a 44-yard touchdown strike with 9:18 to play in the third.
On defense the Panthers were led by
Bradley Dewberry with 12 tackles.
Seth McDonald had ten tackles, his second straight game with double figure tackles.
Northwestern's defense was led by Anthony Walker with seven tackles including two for loss. The Wildcats scored on defense with 1:08 left to play in the third as Matthew Harris picked off a fourth down pass and raced 71 yards for a touchdown making it 41-0.
