North by Northwestern

Behind Clayton Thorson’s career-high 352 passing yards and Justin Jackson’s record-setting rushing performance, Northwestern (5-5, 4-3 B1G) used a second half offensive surge to roll over Purdue (3-7, 1-6) in West Lafayette, 45-17. After losing back-to-back games against top-10 teams, the Wildcats are now one win away from bowl eligibility – a feat that seemed unlikely after losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State in September.

With the a 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, Jackson became the first NU running back to have three straight seasons of 1,000+ yards. After being held under 100 yards for the past three games, Jackson was able to carve up a lowly Purdue run defense for 122 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns.

Not to be outdone by his offensive backfield mate, Thorson revived NU’s aerial attack that looked dormant a week ago against Wisconsin. For the game, Thorson completed 23-of-36 passes with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Both of his touchdown throws went to Austin Carr, but overall, Thorson had at least one completed pass with nine different receivers.

Early on, though, the Boilermakers smacked the Wildcats in the mouth. Using a plethora of run-pass option plays, Purdue quarterback David Blough led the Boilermakers on an opening 11-play, 61-yard drive that ended in a field goal. Then, on NU’s ensuing drive, Thorson was intercepted by CJ Parker, and Blough scampered into the end zone on a quarterback-keeper to flex Purdue’s lead to 10-0.

But then the Wildcats woke up from their mid-day nap.

Following a momentum-turning interception by defensive back Montre Hartage late in the first quarter, Thorson and Co. took advantage of the short field. On third-and-goal, Thorson connected with Carr on a crossing route in the red zone that had just about everyone in the black and gold confused.

In the second quarter, the three-headed offensive monster of Jackson, Thorson and Carr continued to trouble the Purdue defense. After a 16-yard carry from Jackson, Thorson linked up with Carr for his 12th touchdown catch of the year – tying NU’s single-season record – on a post route over the top of the defense. With the score, the ‘Cats took the lead, 14-10, and never looked back.

Coming out of halftime, the Wildcats continued their offensive drubbing of the Boilermakers. On its opening 7-play, 71-yard drive of the second half, NU effectively took the fight out of Purdue by running the ball down its throat. Each of the running plays on the drive went for at least six yards and was capped off by Jackson’s record-setting touchdown run.

Adding salt to Purdue defense’s wound, the Wildcats orchestrated three more successive touchdown drives and cemented the lopsided win. For the game, NU’s offense totaled 605 yards, its most yards in a conference game this year.

Not to be outdone, the NU defense pieced together a strong showing themselves. Entering the game, Purdue averaged 304 passing yards a game, but the NU secondary limited the Boilermakers to only 264 passing yards. Additionally, the Northwestern defense forced four Purdue interceptions, including two by Hartage and one by Anthony “The Franchise” Walker. For a unit that has rotated through so many injuries, NU’s secondary proved that they have able bodies to take on Big Ten passing attacks.

Breakout player of the game: Runningback John Moten IV

Does NU now have a one-two dynamic runningback combination? Prior to the Purdue game, Moten IV had totaled only 82 yards on 23 carries for the season. A week removed from not seeing the field against Wisconsin, on Saturday, Moten IV amassed 119 yards on 16 carries, including a season-long 27-yard carry. In the passing game, Moten IV also made an impact by reeling in a pass for 20 yards. Even though the season is winding down, providing a spell for Justin Jackson, even if for just a handful of plays throughout a game, could help the NU running attack blossom into a greater presence next year.

Up next: Northwestern’s first chance to gain bowl eligibility comes next week at B1G West foe Minnesota.