It all came down to two close plays at the goal line and a costly turnover by Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson at the 1-yard line.
Thomson completed 15-of-22 passes for 196 yards but it was his fumble in the final minutes that stymied a Wildcat (0-1) comeback.
Western Michigan Broncos (1-0) running back Jamouri Bogan scored a questionable touchdown with just over 5 minutes remaining that gave the Broncos their 22-21 lead. The question on the play looked to be that Bogan’s knee was down before he crossed the goal line. It was ruled a touchdown on the field and after review, the call stood.
On the next possession, the Wildcats moved the ball downfield, Thorson took the snap and darted to the left and was hit by Bronco linebacker Robert Spillane as he dove and fumbled at the goal line. The ball then bounced to the corner of the end zone as Broncos DB Davonte Ginwright jumped in the air to save the ball as he threw it back into the field of play. The ball was recovered by the Wildcats in the end zone but it was ruled that Ginwright stepped out of bounds before getting rid of the ball.
“I saw a lot of space,” Thorson said. “Could have scored, but even if I didn’t I should have gone down or something. Can’t fumble on the one.”
Wildcats running back Justin Jackson had a brilliant game as he compiled 124 yards on the ground and had three rushing touchdowns, including a 46-yard scamper.
“Not to discredit Western Michigan, but when you play as poorly as we did, those calls, the football gods, they go against you,” stated Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. “You get what you earn, and that’s what we deserve.”
The Wildcats defense struggled as Western Michigan controlled the clock and held the ball for 39 minutes. The Broncos also went 4-for-4 on fourth down plays against the daunted Northwestern defense.
“We didn’t come here to lay up. We came here to win a football game,” Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck stated. “I believe in this football team and I believe in our short-yardage system. It comes down to attitude, how and will, and I believe that’s what we do well.”
Next on the agenda for the Wildcats is a home date against Illinois State on Saturday. Northwestern starts the season with four straight home games. Coach Fitzgerald and his squad will need a victory to get things going for 2016.
