Northwestern Dominates Western Illinois 42-7 in Week 2
Northwestern overwhelmed Western Illinois on Saturday, cruising to a 42-7 victory in a one-sided contest. The Wildcats controlled the game from the outset, scoring 15 points in the first quarter and never allowing the Leathernecks to gain momentum.
Northwestern's offense was efficient throughout, with running back Cam Porter leading the way with 91 rushing yards, including a 43-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Receiver Griffin Wilde added 94 receiving yards for the Wildcats. Ryan Boe contributed a 58-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game further out of reach.
Western Illinois managed only 7 points, scoring its sole touchdown in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Cason Carswell led the Leathernecks' offense with 52 passing yards, while Chris Irvin and Markell Holman provided some offensive spark with notable runs.
The Wildcats' defense proved stifling, limiting Western Illinois to minimal offensive production. Northwestern's balanced offensive attack—combining strong rushing performances with solid receiving contributions—proved too much for the visitors to handle. The victory sent Northwestern to 2-0 on the season.
AI-generated recap · Aug 21, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
 Northwestern | 15 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 42 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Western Illinois | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 12-27 | 21-29 |
| Pass Yards | 110 | 245 |
| Rush Yards | 71 | 281 |
| Total Yards | 181 | 526 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| 3rd Down | 2-12 | 8-16 |
| Penalties | 3-13 | 6-54 |
| Possession | 24:06 | 35:54 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
Preston Stone pass to Cam Porter for 4 yds to the NU 31
Preston Stone pass to Ricky Ahumaraeze for 19 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
Cam Porter run for 1 yd to the WIU 49
Cam Porter run for 6 yds to the WIU 43
Cam Porter 43 Yd Run (Luke Akers Kick)
Chris Irvin pass to Christian Anaya for 4 yds to the WIU 31
Markell Holman run for 2 yds to the WIU 33
Chris Irvin run
Luke Droegemueller punt for 47 yds to the NU 22, Drew Wagner returns for 2 yds to the NU 22
Preston Stone pass to Griffin Wilde for 46 yds to the WIU 32 for a 1ST down
Preston Stone pass to Griffin Wilde for 12 yds to the WIU 20 for a 1ST down
Cam Porter run for 14 yds to the WIU 6
Cam Porter run
Cam Porter run for 1 yd to the WIU 5
Hayden Eligon II 5 Yd pass from Preston Stone (Lawson Albright Run for Two-Point Conversion)
Chris Irvin run for 1 yd to the WIU 26
Markell Holman run for 4 yds to the WIU 30
Chris Irvin pass to Demari Davis for 9 yds to the WIU 39 for a 1ST down
Markell Holman run for 4 yds to the WIU 43
Chris Irvin run for 1 yd to the WIU 44
Chris Irvin pass intercepted, Mac Uihlein return for 7 yds to the WIU 47
Preston Stone pass to Griffin Wilde for 16 yds to the WIU 31 for a 1ST down
Preston Stone pass to Chase Farrell for a loss of 3 yards to the WIU 35, to Justin Richardson
Markell Holman run for 3 yds to the WIU 37
Markell Holman run for a loss of 1 yards to the WIU 36
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Luke Droegemueller punt for 38 yds to the , Drew Wagner returns for 4 yds to the NU 26, Northwestern Penalty, illegalblockinback (10 Yards)
Preston Stone pass to Joseph Himon II for 1 yd to the NU 21
to Ricky Ahumaraeze for 20 yds to the NU 41 for a 1ST down, Preston Stone pass
Caleb Komolafe run
to Griffin Wilde, Preston Stone pass incomplete
Preston Stone pass incomplete
Luke Akers punt for 44 yds to the NU , punt out-of-bounds at the NU
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Luke Droegemueller punt for 33 yds to the WIU , punt out-of-bounds at the WIU
Preston Stone pass incomplete
Preston Stone pass to Hayden Eligon II, Northwestern Penalty, ineligibledownfieldonpass (Martes Lewis)
Cam Porter run, Northwestern Penalty, holding (Evan Beerntsen)
Preston Stone pass to Lawson Albright for 5 yds to the NU 42
Preston Stone pass to Cam Porter for 7 yds to the NU 49
Northwestern Penalty, falsestart (Robert Fitzgerald)
Luke Akers punt for 41 yds to the NU
Markell Holman run for 12 yds to the WIU 27
Chris Irvin pass to Christian Anaya for 5 yds to the WIU 32
Chris Irvin pass to Demari Davis for 6 yds to the WIU 38 for a 1ST down
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Chris Irvin pass incomplete, Northwestern Penalty, roughingthepasser (Anto Saka)
Markell Holman run for 4 yds to the NU 43
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Western Illinois Penalty, delayofgame (5 Yards)
Chris Irvin pass to Joel Salien for 3 yds to the NU 45
Luke Droegemueller punt for 35 yds to the WIU
Cam Porter run for a loss of 3 yards to the NU 7
Preston Stone pass to Drew Wagner for 4 yds to the NU 11
Preston Stone sacked by Peyton Bradford for a loss of 1 yards to the NU 10
Luke Akers punt for 42 yds to the NU
Markell Holman run
Chris Irvin sacked by Michael Kilbane for a loss of 3 yards to the WIU 43
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Luke Droegemueller punt for 40 yds to the WIU
Joseph Himon II run for 10 yds to the NU 27
Joseph Himon II run for 5 yds to the NU 32
Joseph Himon II run for 10 yds to the NU 42
Joseph Himon II run for a loss of 4 yards to the NU 38
Preston Stone pass to Cam Porter for 12 yds to the 50 yard line
Cam Porter run for 1 yd to the WIU 49
Cam Porter run, Western Illinois Penalty, offside (Esteban Guillory)
Preston Stone pass to Griffin Wilde for 16 yds to the WIU 28 for a 1ST down
Preston Stone pass to Ricky Ahumaraeze for 13 yds to the WIU 15 for a 1ST down
Preston Stone pass incomplete
Caleb Komolafe run for 9 yds to the WIU 6
Caleb Komolafe run
Hunter Welcing 6 Yd pass from Preston Stone (Luke Akers Kick)
Markell Holman run for 8 yds to the WIU 20
Markell Holman run for 10 yds to the WIU 31
Christian Anaya pass to Demari Davis for 31 yds to the NU 38 for a 1ST down
Markell Holman run for 2 yds to the NU 36
Markell Holman run for 4 yds to the NU 32
Chris Irvin run for 3 yds to the NU 29
Antonio Chadha 48 yd FG MISSED
Cam Porter run for 6 yds to the NU 36
Preston Stone pass incomplete
Preston Stone run, Preston Stone run for 13 yds to the
Cam Porter run for 9 yds to the WIU 42
Cam Porter run for 11 yds to the WIU 31
Preston Stone pass to Hayden Eligon II for 12 yds to the WIU 19 for a 1ST down
Preston Stone pass incomplete
Caleb Komolafe run for 2 yds to the WIU 17
Preston Stone pass incomplete
Luke Akers 35 Yd Field Goal
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Markell Holman run
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Luke Droegemueller punt for 50 yds to the WIU
Preston Stone pass to Griffin Wilde for 4 yds to the NU 33
Joseph Himon II run for 16 yds to the NU 49
Preston Stone pass to Joseph Himon II for 14 yds to the WIU 37 for a 1ST down
Preston Stone pass to Hunter Welcing for 28 yds to the WIU 9 for a 1ST down
Joseph Himon II run for 5 yds to the WIU 4
Preston Stone run for a loss of 3 yards to the WIU 7
Preston Stone pass incomplete
Luke Akers 25 Yd Field Goal
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Chris Irvin pass incomplete
Luke Droegemueller punt for 32 yds to the NU 43, Drew Wagner returns for a loss of 3 yards to the NU 43
Caleb Komolafe run for 1 yd to the NU 44
Caleb Komolafe run for 7 yds to the WIU 49
Caleb Komolafe run for 12 yds to the WIU 37
Caleb Komolafe run for 24 yds to the WIU 13
Caleb Komolafe run for 6 yds to the WIU 7
Caleb Komolafe run for 2 yds to the WIU 5
Caleb Komolafe run, Western Illinois Penalty, unsportsmanlikeconduct (3 Yards)
Joseph Himon II run for a loss of 2 yards to the WIU 4
Joseph Himon II run
Drew Wagner 4 Yd pass from Preston Stone (Jack Olsen Kick)
Cason Carswell pass to Markell Holman for 2 yds to the WIU 27
Cason Carswell sacked by Carmine Bastone for a loss of 9 yards to the WIU 18
Cason Carswell pass to Brandon Lanier for 12 yds to the WIU 30
Luke Droegemueller punt for 36 yds to the NU 33, Drew Wagner returns for a loss of 1 yards to the NU 33
Daniel Anderson run for 4 yds to the NU 37
Daniel Anderson run for 5 yds to the NU 42
Ryan Boe 58 Yd Run (Jack Olsen Kick)
Brinston Williams run for 4 yds to the WIU 29
Cason Carswell pass to Alex Williams for 13 yds to the WIU 42 for a 1ST down
Cason Carswell run for 9 yds to the NU 49
Cason Carswell pass to Brandon Lanier for 14 yds to the NU 35 for a 1ST down
Cason Carswell pass incomplete
Brinston Williams run for 7 yds to the NU 28
Cason Carswell run for 8 yds to the NU 20
Cason Carswell pass to Alex Williams for 3 yds to the NU 17, Northwestern Penalty, facemask (Jalen Lewis)
Cason Carswell pass incomplete
Christian Anaya 8 Yd pass from Cason Carswell (Antonio Chadha Kick)
Dashun Reeder run for 3 yds to the NU 38
Dashun Reeder run for 4 yds to the NU 42
Dashun Reeder run for 6 yds to the NU 48
Ryan Boe takes a knee