Clayton Thorson throws 3 first-half touchdowns

Clayton Thorson and the Northwestern offense have picked up right where they left off in East Lansing.

A week after throwing three touchdowns in Northwestern’s 54-point outburst against Michigan State, Thorson matched that total with 14:51 left in the second quarter. He found Solomon Vault, Austin Carr and Macan Wilson for early scores and finished the first half 18-of-31 for 252 yards, adding 28 yards rushing.

This is Thorson’s third straight game with at least three touchdown passes, which hasn’t been done by a quarterback wearing purple in quite some time.

Thorson got it going on the game’s opening drive, going 5-for-7 for 50 yards, punctuated by a perfectly thrown ball to Vault in the end zone for a 17-yard score.

On Northwestern’s ensuing drive, Thorson found Carr streaking up the seam and the Big Ten’s best receiver stumbled in for 34-yard touchdown.

Thorson completed the first-half trifecta on the first play of the second quarter. Wilson made a nice double move, got free up the seam and Thorson found him with another well-placed ball for a 32-yard score. The touchdown reception was the first of Wilson’s career.

After the third touchdown, Thorson was 11-of-15 for 154 yards. It was such a good start that it impressed some important people.

Northwestern leads 24-3 at the half and has 371 yards of offense.