EVANSTON, Ill. (October 5, 2024) – A.J. Henning finished with two touchdowns and collected his 100th career reception, while Bryce Kirtz matched a career high with 10 catches as No. 23 Indiana (6-0, 3-0 B1G) handed Northwestern (2-3, 0-2 B1G) a 41-24 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Henning, who finished the afternoon with six receptions for 67 yards, hit the century mark for career receptions on a two-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter. Kirtz led the ‘Cats in the air, piling up 128 yards, 47 of which came on a reception that laid the foundation for Henning’s aforementioned score.
Jack Lausch turned in the top showing of his collegiate career, finishing with a career-best 243 yards on 23-of-38 passing attempts and two touchdowns. The Wildcat signal caller also added 34 yards rushing on nine attempts. Joseph Himon II led Northwestern on the ground with 35 yards, averaging seven yards per touch.
On the defensive side of the ball, Mac Uihlein and Xander Mueller finished with eight tackles apiece, with Uihlein racking up six solo tackles. Theran Johnson added a team-best three pass breakups.
How It Happened
The Northwestern defensive unit came up with an early stop on the opening drive of the afternoon. With Indiana facing 4th and 2 from the shadows of the red zone, Uihlein wrapped up Miles Cross after a gain of only one yard as Northwestern forced the Hoosiers into a turnover on downs with just under three minutes gone in the opening frame.
After seeing Indiana jump in front, 7-0, in the waning seconds of the first quarter, the ‘Cats answered back with a 10-play, 53-yard drive that elapsed 6:51. Lausch connected with Thomas Gordon for a 16-yard catch-and-run that set Northwestern up with 1st and goal at the Hoosiers’ eight-yard line. On the ensuing play, Cam Porter raced off the left side and dashed in untouched to pull Northwestern level, 7-7, at the 8:48 mark of the second quarter.
Staring at a 14-7 deficit with under five minutes remaining in the first half, a Himon II 35-yard run set Northwestern up at the Indiana 40-yard line. After connecting with Bryce Kirtz for 12 yards, Lausch took off for 13 yards, a rush that set the stage for a 32-yard Jack Olsen field goal that pulled Northwestern within four, 14-10, with 1:08 to play in the first half.
Nicolas Radicic counted with a 37-yard kick of his own with time winding down to send Indiana into the locker room with a 17-10 edge.
Northwestern continued to battle in the second half. Trailing by a 24-10 margin, Lausch completed four-of-five passes on a seven-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 38-yard touchdown pass to Henning to trim the gap to 24-17 late in the third quarter.
Following a crucial stop by its defense that saw that ‘Cats stay within 27-17, Lausch connected with Kirtz on a high-arching 47-yard pass to give Northwestern 1st and goal at the Hoosiers’ three-yard line. After a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone gave the Wildcats a fresh set of downs, Henning raced on a two-yard screen pass to close the deficit to three, 27-24, with 11:19 remaining in regulation.
Unfortunately, Northwestern would get no closer the rest of the afternoon. Ty Son Lawton plunged in from a yard out to again make it a two-possession game, 34-24, with 6:23 to go. A turnover on downs with 5:13 remaining gave the Hoosiers a short field. IU used its advantageous field position to put the game on ice with a 4-yard touchdown reception by Zach Horton, giving Indiana the 41-24 victory, its sixth straight to open the season.
Game Notes
» Saturday marked the first game of Henning’s career with multiple receiving touchdowns.
» Henning has cracked 50 yards receiving in three of Northwestern’s five games this season.
» Kirtz’s 10 receptions matched his career high, a total set back in the Wildcats’ 37-34 overtime win against Minnesota on September 23, 2023.
» Kurtis Rourke the Hoosiers’ passing attack, completing 25 of his 33 attempts for 380 yards and three touchdowns.
» Elijah Sarratt led Indiana with 135 receiving yards.
Up Next
Northwestern faces a short turnaround as it heads battles Maryland at Friday, October 11 in a 7 p.m. (CT) kickoff that will be broadcast on FOX and WGN Radio 720.
