Despite a shaky start, Northwestern found its groove early and did just about everything right as the Wildcats rolled to victory Saturday on the Lakefront, 42-7, over ULM.
The Warhawks opened the game with possession and marched 75 yards downfield on seven plays to take an early 7-0 lead.
On their first drive of the game, Northwestern seemed to struggle to get much going. Quarterback Preston Stone saw his first pass fall incomplete and running back Caleb Komolafe’s first carry was a 4-yard loss. Facing 3rd-and-14, Stone connected with Drew Wagner for 13 yards before the Wildcats went for it on 4th-and-1 on their own 48. The decision to go for it eventually paid off, as the Wildcats tied things up after 13 plays for 61 yards ending in a 3-yard Komolafe touchdown run.
From their, the Wildcats never looked back as they amassed 515 total yards of offense — 246 yards on the ground and 269 through the air.
Komolafe finished with 13 carries for 75 yards and a pair of touchdowns — the second came in the third quarter off a 39-yard run. It was Dashaun Reeder, however, that led the ground game with 11 carries for 79 yards.
Stone led the Wildcats offense, going 20-of-31 through the air for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Stone also added 49 yards on five carries.
Switching things up against ULM, Stone spread the ball around to eight different receivers with five of them having more than one reception. Hayden Eligon II led the wideouts with three receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. Drew Wagner also scored and finished with six catches for 63 yards. Not to be outdone, transfer star Griffin Wilde scored his second touchdown of the year and finished with 64 yards off three catches.
The game was tied 7-7 after the opening frame, but the Wildcats scored at the top of the second quarter and never looked back as they led at the half, 18-7.
Next up for the Wildcats is a trip to No. 6 Penn State, who lost Saturday to Northwestern’s opponent last week in UCLA.
