Preston Stone passed for 245 yards and three touchdowns and Cam Porter rushed for 91 yards and a score as host Northwestern thumped Western Illinois 42-7 on Friday in Evanston, Ill.
Northwestern (1-1) outgained Western Illinois 526-181. Carmine Bastone collected 1 1/2 sacks for the Wildcats.
Northwestern visited the end zone on its first two possessions in a much-needed fast start. The Wildcats rolled to 15 points in the first 15 minutes against the Leathernecks.
Both drives saw Northwestern work quickly and capitalize on explosive plays. Porter starred on the opening possession, carrying four times for 52 yards while adding a 4-yard reception. His 43-yard scoring run capped a six-play, 75-yard drive that took just 3:02.
The Wildcats were equally efficient after getting the ball back following a Western Illinois punt. Stone connected with Griffin Wilde deep up the middle for 46 yards on the first play of the series. Stone, an SMU transfer, finished 3-for-3 on the drive, punctuating it with his first touchdown pass as a Wildcat on a 5-yard strike to Hayden Eligon II. Northwestern covered 78 yards in six plays and 3:09.
Stone later found Hunter Welcing and Drew Wagner for touchdowns of 6 and 4 yards, respectively. Stone finished 21-for-29 through the air; Wilde was his top target with five receptions for 94 yards.
Western Illinois (0-2) worked to tread water in its second straight Friday road game against a Big Ten foe to begin the season. One week after a 52-3 rout at No. 12 Illinois, the Leathernecks improved their discipline — they were penalized just three times for 13 yards — but still struggled in the trenches.
Northwestern racked up 277 yards in the first half, more than its total during a season-opening loss at Tulane.
Leathernecks reserve quarterback Carson Carswell threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Christian Anaya with 2:47 remaining.
Wildcats reserve quarterback Ryan Boe ran for a 58-yard touchdown on the previous possession.
Chris Irvin was 5-for-18 for 27 yards and an interception for Western Illinois. Markell Holman gained 52 yards on 13 carries.
Porter was ruled out in the third quarter with a lower body injury.
Luke Akers kicked field goals of 35 and 25 yards for the Wildcats.
