Northwestern throttles Indiana 24-14 for third straight win
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Quarterback Clayton Thorson passed for 285 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday, and resurgent Northwestern bolted to an early lead then coasted past Indiana 24-14 for its third straight victory.
In a reversal of its 1-3 start to the season, Northwestern (4-3, 3-1) took a 24-3 lead and wasn't seriously threatened the rest of the way. Indiana (3-4, 1-3) dropped its third consecutive game after three victories in the first four starts.
Thorson became the first Northwestern signal-caller since at least 2000 to throw three or more touchdown passes in three consecutive games. He completed 24 passes in 43 attempts and did not throw an interception.
Running back Justin Jackson led the Northwestern ground attack with 106 yards in 28 carries.
The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and drove 70 yards for a touchdown, as the Hoosiers had no answer for their no-huddle offense. Thorson connected with Solomon Vault on a 17-yard pass to complete the 11-play drive.
TAKEAWAY
Indiana: Lately, there has been little evidence of the high-powered attack that coach Kevin Wilson was expected to bring with him from Oklahoma five years ago. The offense scored just five touchdowns and 51 points in the last three games. ... White served as Northwestern offense coordinator from 1999-2001.
Northwestern: After a slow start, Jackson has busted out in a big way with 465 yards rushing in the last three games. Jackson ran for 359 yards on 60 carries in victories at Iowa and Michigan the last two previous weeks. ... Carr caught seven balls for 125 yards. He was the Big Ten leader in and receptions (43), yards (595) and TDs (eight) at the start of the day. ... The six-pointer was the first for Wilson in his career. ... The Wildcats improved to 55-16 with a halftime lead under coach Pat Fitzgerald.
UP NEXT
Indiana hosts Maryland at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Northwestern travels to Ohio Stadium on Saturday, when they will meet second-ranked Ohio State in Columbus.