Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Northwestern Wildcats Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 14th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Northwestern will rely on a new signal-caller when they take on Eastern Illinois in Evanston, Illinois on Saturday evening.

The Wildcats (1-1) are coming off a tough 26-20 double overtime loss to Duke last week, following their season-opening victory against Miami (Ohio).

Head coach David Braun made the decision to make a change at the quarterback position after the loss to Duke. Mike Wright completed 19 of 35 passes for 156 yards and an interception, with a lackluster 56.9 completion percentage and zero touchdown passes in the first two games.

Now, Wright will be relegated to backup duty as Jack Lausch gets his chance to prove himself as the starting quarterback.

When asked about the decision, Braun stated, "Your ultimate responsibility is to protect and value the football."

Lausch, a standout at Chicago's Brother Rice High School, has seen limited action in previous seasons, completing 6 of 11 passes for 78 yards and an interception. He has also rushed 25 times for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Eastern Illinois (1-1) is coming off a 27-20 victory over Indiana State last week. The FCS Panthers have already faced one Big Ten opponent this season, suffering a 45-0 loss to Illinois in their season opener.

Panthers coach Chris Wilkerson praised his team's performance in their home opener against Indiana State, stating, "I'm really proud of the guys that had the opportunity to step up when their number was called."

Northwestern will look to continue their success in the running game, with Cam Porter leading the team with 29 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games. Bryce Kirtz leads the Wildcats in receiving yards with 120 on eight catches, while A.J. Henning has 13 receptions for 71 yards.

For Eastern Illinois, Pierce Holley has thrown for 415 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. MJ Flowers leads the team in rushing with 121 yards on 33 carries and one touchdown.

PREDICTION

Eastern Illinois Panthers

Northwestern Wildcats

Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Northwestern Wildcats Recap SEP 14TH 2024

Quarterback Jack Lausch passed for 227 yards and two touchdowns and rushed seven times for 62 yards in his starting debut to lead Northwestern to a 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday night in Evanston, Ill.

A.J. Henning caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown for Northwestern (2-1), which bounced back from a double-overtime loss against Duke a week ago. Cam Porter carried the ball 15 times for 77 yards and a touchdown, and Joseph Himon II finished with five carries for 49 yards and a score.

Pierce Holley completed 17 of 30 passes for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Eastern Illinois (1-2). Eli Mirza caught the Panthers' lone touchdown.

The Wildcats outgained the Panthers 450-207 and finished with 22 first downs compared with 13 first downs for Eastern Illinois.

Northwestern opened the scoring with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter. Porter took a direct snap in the backfield, eluded a defender and found the end zone for a 1-yard score.

Eastern Illinois evened the score at 7-7 with 10:37 to go in the second quarter. Holley connected with Mirza for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a 13-play, 75-yard drive.

Northwestern seized a 14-7 lead with 13 seconds left before halftime. Himon took a handoff, broke a tackle and sprinted up the middle of the field for a 32-yard score.

The Wildcats built their lead to 24-7 by the end of the third quarter.

Jack Olsen started the second-half scoring with a 46-yard field goal to make it 17-7.

Lausch made it 24-7 when he found Henning for a 3-yard touchdown with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter. It marked Lausch's first career passing touchdown.

Lausch struck again, this time on a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marshall Lang, to increase Northwestern's lead to 31-7 with 6:58 left in the fourth quarter. It was Lang's first touchdown reception of the season and the fourth of his career.