Northwestern aims to recover against E Illinois after QB change

Northwestern University will host Eastern Illinois on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, marking a crucial game for both teams. The Wildcats are looking to recover from a disappointing 26-20 double-overtime loss to Duke, which has prompted a change in their starting quarterback. This decision comes as they prepare to face an Eastern Illinois team that has shown resilience, bouncing back from a heavy defeat against Illinois to secure a win over Indiana State. The Wildcats, currently 1-1, are favored to win by 24.5 points, reflecting their historical dominance over Eastern Illinois, having won both previous matchups. The stakes are high for Northwestern, as they cannot afford to stumble against an FCS opponent before heading into Big Ten play next week against Washington. The team is focused on improving their performance and maintaining their strong defensive record, having not allowed a sack in their first two games. Eastern Illinois, with a record of 1-1, has struggled historically against Big Ten teams, holding an 0-10 record. Their quarterback, Pierce Holley, has had a challenging season so far, with more interceptions than touchdowns. The team will need to step up their game to compete effectively against Northwestern. As the game approaches, all eyes will be on the new quarterback for Northwestern, who aims to lead the team to a much-needed victory. The outcome of this matchup could set the tone for the Wildcats' upcoming Big Ten schedule.