Jack Lausch leads Northwestern to victory over Eastern Illinois, 31-7
- Jack Lausch passed for 227 yards and threw two touchdown passes in his first collegiate start.
- Northwestern regained momentum with a late first-half touchdown, leading 14-7 at halftime.
- The victory improved Northwestern's record to 2-1, while Eastern Illinois remains winless against Big Ten opponents.
In a Saturday night matchup at Martin Stadium, Northwestern secured a 31-7 victory over Eastern Illinois, showcasing the talents of new quarterback Jack Lausch. After a challenging start, Lausch completed 20 of 31 passes for 227 yards, marking his first two collegiate touchdown passes. His performance included a 3-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Henning and a 9-yard touchdown to Marshall Lang in the fourth quarter. The game saw a competitive first half, with Eastern Illinois tying the score at 7-7 after a 12-play drive culminating in a touchdown pass from Holley. However, Northwestern regained momentum just before halftime with a quick drive that resulted in a touchdown run by Joseph Himon II, giving them a 14-7 lead. In the second half, Northwestern extended their lead with a field goal and additional touchdowns, effectively controlling the game. Cam Porter contributed significantly with 77 rushing yards and his third touchdown of the season. Eastern Illinois struggled to maintain their early momentum, particularly after Holley’s interception in the third quarter, which led to Northwestern's scoring drive. This victory improved Northwestern's record to 2-1, while Eastern Illinois fell to 0-11 against Big Ten teams. Looking ahead, Northwestern is set to open Big Ten play against Washington next week, with Lausch expected to continue as the starting quarterback following his impressive performance.