Northwestern Dominates Western Illinois 42-7 in Season Turnaround

Northwestern's football team rebounded strongly from a disappointing season opener with a dominant 42-7 victory over Western Illinois. Quarterback Preston Stone, a graduate transfer from SMU, passed for 245 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing a marked improvement after his initial four-interception game against Tulane. Running back Cam Porter contributed 91 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game due to a lower-body injury, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming games. The Wildcats' defense was stout, limiting Western Illinois to just 181 total yards and forcing turnovers while delivering multiple pass breakups and sacks. Northwestern's offense was efficient and explosive, amassing 526 total yards, their first 500-yard game under offensive coordinator Zach Lujan, and securing a 22-0 halftime lead. While the win came against an FCS opponent, the performance boosted confidence ahead of their next matchup against No. 6 Oregon.