First quarter: To start off Northwestern’s game against Western Michigan tonight, true freshman Matt Harris returned the opening kickoff to the 45-yard line. But on the third play of the series, senior quarterback Kain Colter threw an interception. Western Michigan did not capitalize as the NU defense forced a three-and-out.
The Wildcats failed to score on each of their first three drives, all of which started inside Western Michigan’s territory.
The Broncos got on the board first with a 37-yard field goal with 2 minutes and 37 seconds left in the first quarter. The field goal capped a 13-play, 55-yard drive, which featured a fourth down conversion from the NU 38-yard line.
Second quarter: NU’s first drive of the quarter stalled in Western Michigan’s territory, and the Cats chose to punt from the 35-yard line.
Colter finally got the team on the board, leading a scoring drive after an interception by junior safety Ibraheim Campbell. Colter took matters into his own hands with a 4-yard touchdown run on second down. The score ended a seven-play, 57-yard drive by the Cats. Campbell’s interception extended a streak of five straight games with a pick.
On the Broncos very next play, they scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass. Redshirt freshman Dwight White was in coverage, and he also missed a tackle on the play.
Colter responded with another scoring drive. He hit junior wide receiver Christian Jones for a 6-yard touchdown pass after a six-play, 65-yard drive. The pass gave NU a 14-10 lead.
The Cats’ next drive continued to show an improved rhythm. NU took over at midfield after a kick catch interference penalty, and Colter led a quick, eight-play, 50-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown run from senior running back Mike Trumpy.
The Trumpy score put NU ahead 21-10, and the Cats added to that lead on a drive that started with 51 seconds left in the half. Junior Trevor Siemian re-entered the game and drove the Cats into the red-zone, where senior kicker Jeff Budzien hit a 35-yard field goal. Budzien, who missed a 42-yard field goal earlier in the game, gave NU a 24-10 lead going into the half.
