WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (November 2, 2024) – Jack Lausch connected with Joseph Himon II on a 22-yard touchdown pass in overtime as Northwestern defeated Purdue (1-7, 0-5 B1G) by a final score of 26-20 on Saturday afternoon at Ross Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Like a Runaway Freight Train ?? pic.twitter.com/fKPnIxLQGY
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 2, 2024
With the win, Northwestern’s sixth on the road over the Boilermakers in its last seven tries, the ‘Cats improve to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten Conference action.
Himon II piled up 112 all-purpose yards en route to the first two-touchdown game of his career. The redshirt sophomore put up 78 yards on six rushing attempts, a total bolstered by a career-long 51-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Himon II also collected three receptions for 34 yards, 22 of which came on his aforementioned game-winning score.
Lausch finished his afternoon going 23-of-35 for a career-high 250 yards and one touchdown, while also adding 26 yards on the ground.
Like Himon, Cam Porter also surpassed 100 all-purpose yards. Porter proved to be Lausch’s top target on the day, reeling in eight catches for 85 yards, both career-best marks. Porter chipped in 17 yards on the ground, scoring his sixth touchdown of the season in the waning minutes of the first half.
A.J. Henning led the way for the Northwestern receiving core, totaling 47 yards on four receptions. Marshall Lang hauled in three catches for a season-high 36 yards.
WALKOFF WINNER! pic.twitter.com/QQJiQVNlMK
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 2, 2024
Jalen Pate enjoyed a big day on the defensive side of the ball, registering a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss. Aidan Hubbard contributed a solo sack, while Greyson Metz finished the day with a team-high eight tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss.
How It Happened
After the two teams traded field goals to begin the game, Northwestern surged back in front on a six-play, 75-yard march. Lausch connected with Calvin Johnson II for 14 yards on a key third down to move the chains early on in the drive. Following a 10-yard run, Himon II battled through early contact as part of a 51-yard dash that gave the ‘Cats a 10-3 lead with 38 seconds remaining in the opening frame.
Looking to seize momentum following a fourth-down stop by its defense that featured a vital tackle by Theran Johnson, Northwestern kept its foot on the accelerator. After entering Purdue territory, Lausch hooked up with Lang for a 21-yard catch and run that put the visitors on the edge of the red zone. Facing 3rd and goal from the Purdue 1-yard line, Porter dove across to extend the lead to 17-3 and punctuate an impressive 11-play, 50-yard drive that took only 2:23.
Purdue refused to go away quietly. Hudson Card connected with Jahmal Edrine for a 6-yard touchdown pass shortly before halftime before a 24-yard Spencer Porath field goal trimmed Northwestern’s lead to 17-13 heading to the fourth quarter.
Luke Akers reestablished a seven-point edge for the ‘Cats with just under five minutes gone in the final frame, connecting from 41 yards out to stretch the margin to 20-13. Purdue pulled even for the first time since the first quarter on its next drive, as Devin Mockobee powered in from a yard out to knot the score up at 20-20 and ultimately force overtime.
Northwestern’s defense again provided a spark to begin the extra session. With Purdue forging ahead on 4th and 5, Damon Walters broke up Card’s pass that was intended for C.J. Smith to turnover the Boilermakers on downs. Following an 18-yard completion to Porter on the Wildcats’ first play of overtime, Lausch found a streaking Himon II down the right sideline for a 22-yard touchdown pass that sealed a 26-20 road victory.
Game Notes
» Led by Himon’s big afternoon, Northwestern outgained Purdue by a 122-47 margin on the ground.
» The Boilermakers’ 47 rushing yards are the fewest allowed by the ‘Cats against a Big Ten opponent in 2024.
» Porter’s second-quarter score marked his sixth touchdown of the season, a mark that sets a career high and the most rushing touchdowns in a season by a Wildcat since 2021.
» Northwestern converted on well over 50 percent of its third-down tries, going 9-for-16 (.563), while also finishing 2-for-2 on fourth down.
» Pate is the fourth Wildcat to registered two-plus tackles for loss in a game this season and is the fifth Wildcat to have three or more tackles for loss in a game over the last four seasons.
» Card led the Boilermakers passing attack, completing 21 of his 37 attempts for 267 yards and one touchdown.
Up Next
Northwestern will be idle until Saturday, November 16 when it entertains No. 4 Ohio State at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill. A kickoff time and television designation are yet to be announced.
