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Coming off an opening-week 16-6 upset of Stanford, Northwestern hosts Eastern Illinois in what could very well be a trap game for the Wildcats. Northwestern faces the in-state, FCS foe before traveling to Duke next week.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson will make his second start and sophomore running back Justin Jackson is coming off a 134-yard performance against the Cardinal. The defense, led by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Anthony Walker, held Stanford to 240 total yards and will face a Panther offense that mustered just five points against Western Illinois in week one.
Eastern Illinois, a factory for pretty-boy NFL quarterbacks, has fallen off since an outstanding year in 2013 when the team went 12-2 with the Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo playing quarterback. Last season, the Panthers won just five games and 2015 got off to rough start with a 33-5 loss at Western Illinois.
As you watch what should be a fairly comfortable Northwestern victory, let's chat about the game below. Again, remember, to be responsible in the comment threads.