Northwestern is off to an auspicious 2-0 start, holding its opponents without a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time since 1958.
Yet these brash young Wildcats act as if they have been there before, and they intend to build on their early defensive dominance.
“We expect to have a shutout next week (at Duke),” said NU pass-rushing specialist Ifeadi Odenigbo, who recorded a sack in Saturday’s 41-0 thrashing of Eastern Illinois at Ryan Field.
Cornerback Matthew Harris had two interceptions, including a 71-yard pick-6 as Eastern Illinois managed just 138 total yards, 68 passing.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald promised to take a good hard look at the game film to check for flaws and miscues, as he did after the season-opening upset of Stanford.
But he had to admit that his patched together offensive line must have done something right to open holes for 344 rushing yards.
Three Northwestern offensive linemen were dealing with injuries coming into the contest: Brad North, Matt Frazier and Ian Park. During the game, tackle Adam DePietro was injured.
“Last Tuesday (in practice) was pretty rough,” offensive lineman Geoff Mogus said. “One of the hardest practices we’ve had all year. We knew we had to respond. We came out, we just tried to play fast and we tried to be physical.”
Fitzgerald said it was an opportunity for some.
“We worked with the other guys, really, all week,” he said. “It was their opportunity to step up. And for the most part, there was some very positive play by those guys. I am going to reserve judgment until I watch the tape, but to be able to run the ball the way we did and … not turn the ball over until the end (on a fumble), it was a pretty clean, pretty effective game offensively.”
The effective ground game made the job easier for quarterback Clayton Thorson, who completed 11 of 16 passes for 152 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown pass to Austin Carr. Thorson also deftly navigated his way into the end zone on an 8-yard run.
“It’s nice to know you can hand off the ball and run for 344 yards,” Thorson said.
The Wildcats dominated the Panthers to take a 27-0 halftime lead and 41-0 third-period advantage before Fitzgerald emptied the bench against an 0-2 EIU team that hasn’t scored a touchdown yet.
“From the standpoint of all three phases being efficient, I thought for the most part we were able to do that,” Fitzgerald said. “I believe everybody who was eligible to play, played today.”
The defense frustrated the Panthers into 0-for-11 on third downs.
“Third down-wise we have been able to be pretty efficient (executing) the call, and our ability to get some pass rush,” Fitzgerald said. “And obviously being able to put them in more third-and-long situations always gives you an advantage on defense. It is sort of a product of a scheme and the guys executing it.”
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2-minute drill
Not playing favorites: Clayton Thorson completed passes to six receivers, with Dan Vitale catching four. Austin Carr celebrated the news this week that he is receiving a scholarship with a 44-yard touchdown reception.
Special effects: Jack Mitchell kicked two field goals and Matt Micucci averaged 60.1 yards on seven kickoffs, including a touchback.
Sack attack: Deonte Gibson (1), Ifeadi Odenigbo (1), Dean Lowry (1/2) and Max Chapman (1/2) combined for three sacks as Eastern Illinois was limited to 68 passing yards.
No ground beef: The Wildcats rushed for 344 yards, led by Justin Jackson (78), Warren Long (72), Corey Acker (57) and Auston Anderson (56).
Up next: Northwestern travels to Duke at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.