Colter, Northwestern well-grounded against EIU

As part of its earnest treatment of our nation's 9/11 anniversary, Northwestern repainted its “N” logo at midfield to look like the American flag.

Then, as part of its earnest treatment of Eastern Illinois, Northwestern trampled that logo and every other blade of grass between the hashes while pounding to a 42-21 nonconference victory Saturday at Ryan Field.

Playing without starting quarterback Dan Persa and top running back Mike Trumpy, the Wildcats rushed the ball 67 times for 320 yards and 5 scores as they overwhelmed their smaller Football Championship Subdivision foe.

“Credit to our O-line,” said senior running back Jacob Schmidt, one of four Wildcats to post at least 55 rushing yards. “They did a great job of just getting off, getting great push.

“There were times where we'd get the ball and we'd be 4-5 yards without being touched yet.”

Then there were times when sophomore quarterback Kain Colter scorched the grass beyond the hashes with his scrambles and option keepers.

Colter posted his first double-triple (109 rushing yards, 104 passing yards) and scampered for 3 touchdowns before taking a seat early in the fourth quarter.

“I don't know how good Persa is,” said Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo. “But this kid was unstoppable. He's got excellent speed. He's got great elusiveness. A very heady guy.”

And a guy whose head nearly was removed by EIU safety Nick Beard during a third-quarter scramble for his third score.

Beard flew in and hit Colter high enough and hard enough to pop the ball free. Colter turned his torso to catch the ball at the 2-yard line and spun across the end zone to push NU's lead to 35-7.

That wasn't the only huge shot the 6-foot, 200-pound Colter took on the day, but he didn't play as if he noticed.

“You know, I realize it after the game,” he said with a laugh. “But during the game, especially in the red zone, you smell blood and you want to score a touchdown. You've got to get those tough yards.”

Here's the thing: As much as Northwestern praised its running game Saturday — and it's fair to say the Wildcats' interior rushing has improved — Colter's the difference-maker when Big Ten play comes.

If he can't avoid some licks, there aren't going to be more games like Saturday's. He seems to understand the gravity of the situation, though it required a comical moment for it to sink in.

“We were in a quarterback meeting,” Colter said. “(Coach Fitz) came in and he had a cellphone and said, ‘I want you guys to listen to this.'”

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, a Northwestern alum, left a message on Pat Fitzgerald's smartphone early this week.

“He was congratulating us on the win at BC. And he said, ‘Tell Kain Colter that he needs to slide. My 9-year-old son taught (Jets quarterback) Mark Sanchez how to slide and he'll be able to teach you, too.'

“It was funny. It was a good little wake-up call, realizing that Girardi's watching the games and he's out there seeing me play. But it's not a joking matter.”

Fitzgerald tried to rest Colter for the final 22-plus minutes, but he sent the sophomore back in when EIU cut the margin to 35-14.

Colter carried the ball twice more. The first time, he scrambled for a 19-yard score that came back on a hold. The second time, he rushed just enough for the first down and then hit the grass.

Progress!

“I think it's a record for me,” Colter said with another laugh.

With Persa, Trumpy (concussion) and backup running Adonis Smith (ankle injury in fourth quarter) all uncertain for Saturday's trip to Army, Colter needs to remember to break his record early and often at West Point.

lwillhite@dailyherald.com