Eastern senior Tre’jon Lewis (9) blocks a 42-yard field goal attempt by Northwestern kicker Jack Olsen in second-quarter action. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)
By Dan Verdun
A promising first half by Eastern Illinois morphed into a 31-7 non-conference loss to Northwestern Saturday night in Evanston.
The Wildcats (2-1) scored late in the first half to take a 14-7 lead and then shut out the Panthers (1-2) in the second half.
“We did a good job throwing on first down and loosening them up just a little bit, but we just didn’t sustain enough with the running game,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said.
Eastern managed only 40 rushing yards and averaged two yards per carry.
Both of EIU’s losses this season have been to Big Ten Conference opponents. Eastern lost, 45-0, to Illinois in the season opener.
“We knew it was going to take four quarters. We were able to wear them down in the second half,” Northwestern head coach David Braun said.
NU freshman quarterback Jack Lausch threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start. The Brother Rice graduate connected on 17 of his last 19 throws.
Receiver A.J. Henning caught seven passes for a career-high 117 yards and a touchdown.
“Those guys just found a rhythm,” Braun said.
Eastern senior defensive lineman Tre’jon Lewis provided a highlight for the Panthers by blocking a Northwestern field goal attempt that kept the game tied 7-7 in the second quarter.
“I’m feeling a little disappointed. We gave ourselves a good chance in the first half,” Lewis said. “(But) ultimately, they ended up with the victory.”
Game changers
10:37, 2nd quarter: EIU wide receiver Eli Mirza reeled in a 13-yard touchdown reception just inside the end zone. The play was upheld after a lengthy video review. Freshman Drew Schiller added the extra point.
4:02, 2nd quarter: EIU defensive lineman Tre’jon Lewis blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by Northwestern kicker Jack Olsen.
1:47, 2nd quarter: Northwestern’s Najee Story blocked a 36-yard field goal try by Schiller, spoiling EIU’s chance to take a 10-7 lead. NU used the play for momentum and took a 14-7 lead via an eight-play scoring drive that concluded just seconds before halftime.
Prime Time Panthers
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Eastern Illinois players in the game:
Cooper Willman, WR: The senior led EIU with six catches for 66 yards.
Elijawah Tolbert, LB: The senior collected eight tackles, four of which were solo.
Moses Alexander, DB: The Houston transfer registered eight tackles and had a pass breakup.
What it means
Eastern Illinois is now 0-11 against Big Ten Conference opponents.
What’s next?
EIU plays its final non-conference game Sept. 21 at rival Illinois State. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. at Normal’s Hancock Stadium.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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