Preston Stone handed for 2 touchdowns, Jack Olsen kicked a pair of discipline objectives and Northwestern cruised previous sliding Purdue 19-0 on Saturday for its fourth straight win.
Joseph Himon II rushed for 87 yards on 22 carries and Caleb Komolafe ran for 67 yards earlier than leaving with an upper-body harm within the third quarter for Northwestern (5-2, 3-1 Massive Ten).
Northwestern raced out to a 13-0 lead at halftime, then stored the Boilermakers’ offense in examine to ship them to a fifth consecutive loss total and thirteenth straight in convention play. The Wildcats have their finest document by means of seven video games since popping out 6-1 within the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
“We’ll take it one week at a time, be on a mission to go 1-0 every week. I am not going to place a ceiling, however the second we begin to get comfy, we expose ourselves to regression,” NU head coach David Braun stated. “It is time for us to shift our focus to Nebraska.”
Northwestern restricted Purdue to 11 first-down conversions whereas persistently advancing to 25 of their very own.
Stone threw for 132 yards on 11-for-26 passing. Olsen has eight discipline objectives on the season, all within the final 4 final 4 weeks. Griffin Wilde has TD receptions in 4 straight video games.
The Boilermakers (2-5, 0-4) sputtered offensively after working up 456 whole yards in a mistake-filled 27-20 loss at Minnesota final week.
Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne was restricted to 31 yards on 5-for-10 passing earlier than exiting with an obvious upper-body harm early within the second half. Backup Malachi Singleton threw for 187 yards with a key interception.
Malachi Thomas led Purdue in dashing with 34 yards. Corey Smith made a 48-yard reception early within the third quarter then fumbled it as Purdue was shut out for the primary time this season after being blanked thrice final 12 months.
The Wildcats scored on their first three possessions.
Fitzgerald returns to NU
For the primary time since his firing in the summertime of 2023, Pat Fitzgerald made a public look at NU.
Fitzgerald was on the sector with the 1995 Wildcats Rose Bowl workforce, which celebrated its thirtieth Yr reunion throughout Saturday’s recreation.
Followers and NU gamers’ households chanted “Fitz! Fitz! Fitz!” as Fitzgerald left the sector. Braun stated Monday he hoped Fitzgerald would make an look on Saturday.
“Fitz is likely one of the most iconic Northwestern soccer gamers of all time, the most effective coaches to do it right here,” Braun stated on Monday. “Actually hopeful he is a full participant in Saturday’s celebration.”
With the win over Purdue on Saturday, Braun has tied Pat Fitzgerald for probably the most Massive Ten wins in a coach’s first three seasons at Northwestern with 10.
The takeaway
As soon as once more, errors damage. Purdue was assessed eight penalties for 85 yards and dedicated two fumbles.
Northwestern delivered a stable start-to-finish effort towards Purdue after a 22-21 win at Penn State final week when Komolafe rushed for a landing late within the fourth quarter to win it. If Komolafe’s harm is severe, it will be a giant blow because the dynamic redshirt sophomore working again has helped stuffed a spot for Cam Porter, who’s out for the season.
Up subsequent
Purdue: Hosts Rutgers subsequent Saturday.
Northwestern: Performs at Nebraska on Saturday.
