How to Follow
Watch on FS1: Action will be televised on FS1 with Alex Foust (play-by-play) and Robert Smith (analyst) on the call. Direct Link to Watch Online (Sign-In with TV Provider)
Listen on AM 720 WGN: The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, returns for his 35th season calling Northwestern Football. Eanet will be joined on the call by 31st-year analyst Ted Albrecht, along with Lauren Withrow on the sideline. The broadcast can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 386.
Direct Link to Listen Online
Follow In-Game Updates (NUFBFamily): Stay tuned to Northwestern Football’s Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos and reactions surrounding Saturday’s game.
Five Things to Know
- The Wildcats wrapped up a season-long three-game homestand by defeating Eastern Illinois 31-7 last week. Redshirt sophomore QB Jack Lausch earned his first career start and completed 20-of-31 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing seven times for 62 yards. In the second half, Lausch completed 11-of-11 passes for 123 yards with two touchdown tosses. The Chicago native became the first Big Ten QB to throw for 220+ yards and rush for 60+ yards in their first career start since Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Michael Penix (Indiana) in Week 1 of the 2019 season.
“It was awesome.”
??? @jack_lausch pic.twitter.com/I4ZiQCJMf4
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 15, 2024
- Northwestern surrendered its first sack of the season last week, becoming the first Wildcat team to allow just one sack over the season’s first three games since 2008. After three games last season, Northwestern allowed nine sacks. According to PFF, Northwestern had four of the top graded offensive line positions for the entire week across the Big Ten. LT Caleb Tiernan, C Jack Bailey, RG Josh Thompson and RT Ben Wrather were each named to the PFF Big Ten Team of the Week.
- Northwestern’s defense is surrendering only 57.7 yards per game on the ground, which ranks sixth-best in FBS. For the first time since at least 2000, the Wildcats have not allowed a rushing touchdown over the first three games of a season. Since at least 2000, Northwestern’s 173 rushing yards allowed this season is the fewest over a season’s first three games and the fewest yards per carry (2.3). Northwestern is allowing an average of 13.0 points per game, which ranks 30th nationally. It is the fewest points allowed over the first three games of a season since 2020, and the fifth fewest since 1990.
Run Stoppers ? pic.twitter.com/AE0eNU3b70
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 17, 2024
- Through three games this season, Northwestern has recorded 9.0 sacks, which ranks t-15th most in FBS. The Wildcats have posted their most sacks through three games since recording 10.0 sacks in 2008. Eight different players have recorded at least 0.5 sacks, including seven defensive linemen. LB Mac Uihlein leads the team with 2.0 sacks, while DL Anto Saka ranks second with 1.5 sacks.
- Second-year Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Coach David Braun recorded his 10th win at Northwestern last week doing so in his 16th game. He is the fastest Northwestern head coach to reach double-digit wins since Pappy Waldorf did so in 15 games during the 1935-36 seasons. The 1936 team finished 7-1 (6-0 B1G) and were Big Ten champions. Braun’s record of 10-6 (.625) through his first 16 games is the fourth-best in program history.
Up Next: Northwestern has a bye week upcoming and then returns home to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium to face Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 5. The game’s kick time and TV network will be announced at a later date. WGN Radio 720 will broadcast the game. Tickets are available HERE.
