Wildcats Down Sycamores 24-6 On Heroes Day
9/11/2021 3:12:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern took down Indiana State, 24-6, for its first win of the 2021 season at Ryan Field on Heroes Day.
The win marked Pat Fitzgerald's 107th career victory, moving him past Jim Tressel for 15th most wins by a Big Ten coach in conference history.
The Wildcat defense returned to dominant form, holding Indiana State to six points and 169 total yards. Northwestern shut out Indiana State in the first half, its first time holding an opponent scoreless in the first half since Nov. 18, 2019 against Minnesota.
It is the 14th time under Pat Fitzgerald that the 'Cats have held their opponents to six or less points in a game. This also marks the third consecutive season in which Northwestern has held an opponent under 35 rushing yards in a game.
The rushing attack turned in a massive performance, led by Evan Hull's 119 yards and two touchdowns. It is Hull's second-career game with 100+ yards and 2 TDs, with the first coming against UMass in November 2019.
First-year Anthony Tyus III picked up 71 yards on 10 carries, continuing a five-year streak in which a Northwestern true first-year running back has tallied 70+ yards in a game.
It was a historic day for the Wildcats' special teams unit, as Brandon Joseph and Raymond Niro III combined for 166 punt return yards, shattering a program record set in 1950. Joseph became the first Wildcat since Venric Mark in 2012 to tally 100+ punt return yards in a game. His 65-yard return in the third quarter is the longest since Mark ripped off a 75-yarder against Penn State in 2012.
Junior Malik Washington hauled in his first-career touchdown, when he connected with Hunter Johnson in the first quarter for a career-long 25 yard reception.
Adetomiwa Adebawore forced his first-career fumble in the first quarter and tallied 1.5 sacks for a new career high, while AJ Hampton, Jr. recorded three pass breakups to set a new career-high.
Northwestern looks to continue its momentum in non-conference play as it travels to Durham on Saturday to take on Duke. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m. CT and will be televised on the ACC Network.
The win marked Pat Fitzgerald's 107th career victory, moving him past Jim Tressel for 15th most wins by a Big Ten coach in conference history.
The Wildcat defense returned to dominant form, holding Indiana State to six points and 169 total yards. Northwestern shut out Indiana State in the first half, its first time holding an opponent scoreless in the first half since Nov. 18, 2019 against Minnesota.
It is the 14th time under Pat Fitzgerald that the 'Cats have held their opponents to six or less points in a game. This also marks the third consecutive season in which Northwestern has held an opponent under 35 rushing yards in a game.
The rushing attack turned in a massive performance, led by Evan Hull's 119 yards and two touchdowns. It is Hull's second-career game with 100+ yards and 2 TDs, with the first coming against UMass in November 2019.
First-year Anthony Tyus III picked up 71 yards on 10 carries, continuing a five-year streak in which a Northwestern true first-year running back has tallied 70+ yards in a game.
It was a historic day for the Wildcats' special teams unit, as Brandon Joseph and Raymond Niro III combined for 166 punt return yards, shattering a program record set in 1950. Joseph became the first Wildcat since Venric Mark in 2012 to tally 100+ punt return yards in a game. His 65-yard return in the third quarter is the longest since Mark ripped off a 75-yarder against Penn State in 2012.
Junior Malik Washington hauled in his first-career touchdown, when he connected with Hunter Johnson in the first quarter for a career-long 25 yard reception.
Adetomiwa Adebawore forced his first-career fumble in the first quarter and tallied 1.5 sacks for a new career high, while AJ Hampton, Jr. recorded three pass breakups to set a new career-high.
Northwestern looks to continue its momentum in non-conference play as it travels to Durham on Saturday to take on Duke. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m. CT and will be televised on the ACC Network.
Team Stats
ISU
NU
Total Yards
169
275
Pass Yards
138
66
Rushing Yards
31
209
Penalty Yards
15
55
1st Downs
12
18
3rd Downs
4
5
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
30:22
29:38
1st Quarter

ISU 0, NU 7
NU - Hull,Evan 3 yd run (Kuhbander,Charlie kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:12

ISU 0, NU 14
NU - Washington,Malik 25 yd pass from Johnson,Hunter (Kuhbander,Charlie kick) 7 plays, 92 yards, TOP 03:09
3rd Quarter

ISU 0, NU 17
NU - Kuhbander,Charlie 47 yd field goal 4 plays, -2 yards, TOP 00:49
4th Quarter

ISU 0, NU 24
NU - Hull,Evan 13 yd run (Kuhbander,Charlie kick), 5 plays, 30 yards, TOP 02:52

ISU 6, NU 24
ISU - Larkin,Zach 9 yd pass from Thompson,Anthony () 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:05
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
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