EVANSTON, Ill. -- Redshirt junior quarterback Clayton Thorson passed for two touchdowns then ran for two more in the fourth quarter as Northwestern rode a strong second-half performance to a season-opening 31-20 win over Nevada Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field.
Thorson completed 28 of 38 passes for 352 yards and Bennett Skowronek posted career bests of eight receptions and 123 receiving yards. Thorson's completion and passing yardage totals both matched career highs. Senior Justin Jackson contributed 109 rushing yards and 42 rushing yards.
The Wildcats got on the scoreboard first as Thorson found Macan Wilson streaking down the middle of the field for a leaping 33-yard touchdown reception with 7:13 remaining in the first quarter to put NU up 7-0.
However, Nevada answered right back on the next drive, going 75 yards in eight plays capped by an 11-yard pass from Ty Gangi to Wyatt Demps.
Missed opportunities in the red zone and big plays by the Wolf Pack hurt the 'Cats the remainder of the half.
Northwestern failed to connect on a 22-yard field goal attempt and had a fumble at the Nevada 10-yard line that prevented the Wildcats from further denting the scoreboard in the opening half.
Meanwhile, Nevada took advantage of big plays, getting a 41-yard touchdown pass from Gangi to McLane Mannix before Spencer Pettit tacked on a 31-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the second quarter as the visitors eventually took a 17-7 halftime lead.
Northwestern came out of the intermission and scored on its first possession of the second half as freshman Charlie Kuhbander connected on a 23-yard field goal to bring the 'Cats within a touchdown.
The Wildcats tied the game when Thorson hooked up with redshirt freshman Riley Lees on a 19-yard scoring strike with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Nevada regained the lead, 20-17, when Pettit hit on a 33-yard field goal with 10:13 remaining. NU answered back by marching 75 yards in 11 plays, capped by a scoring rush by Thorson on 4th and 1 to give the hosts a 24-20 lead with 5:28 left.
A solid kick return allowed the Wolf Pack to start its ensuing drive at its own 39. However, the interior of the Northwestern line led by Tyler Lancaster stuffed Gangi on a rush on 4th and 1 and the Wildcats took over with 3:29 remaining.
The 'Cats sealed the game when Thorson hooked up on a 41-yard completion on 3rd and 7 that got the ball down to the Nevada 3. Three rushes late by Thorson, the quarterback punched the ball in from a yard out to wrap up the scoring with 52 seconds to go.
Northwestern returns to action at 11 a.m. Central time when it travels to Duke. The Wildcats return home Sept. 16 when they host Bowling Green at Ryan Field. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
Thorson completed 28 of 38 passes for 352 yards and Bennett Skowronek posted career bests of eight receptions and 123 receiving yards. Thorson's completion and passing yardage totals both matched career highs. Senior Justin Jackson contributed 109 rushing yards and 42 rushing yards.
The Wildcats got on the scoreboard first as Thorson found Macan Wilson streaking down the middle of the field for a leaping 33-yard touchdown reception with 7:13 remaining in the first quarter to put NU up 7-0.
However, Nevada answered right back on the next drive, going 75 yards in eight plays capped by an 11-yard pass from Ty Gangi to Wyatt Demps.
Missed opportunities in the red zone and big plays by the Wolf Pack hurt the 'Cats the remainder of the half.
Northwestern failed to connect on a 22-yard field goal attempt and had a fumble at the Nevada 10-yard line that prevented the Wildcats from further denting the scoreboard in the opening half.
Meanwhile, Nevada took advantage of big plays, getting a 41-yard touchdown pass from Gangi to McLane Mannix before Spencer Pettit tacked on a 31-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the second quarter as the visitors eventually took a 17-7 halftime lead.
Northwestern came out of the intermission and scored on its first possession of the second half as freshman Charlie Kuhbander connected on a 23-yard field goal to bring the 'Cats within a touchdown.
The Wildcats tied the game when Thorson hooked up with redshirt freshman Riley Lees on a 19-yard scoring strike with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Nevada regained the lead, 20-17, when Pettit hit on a 33-yard field goal with 10:13 remaining. NU answered back by marching 75 yards in 11 plays, capped by a scoring rush by Thorson on 4th and 1 to give the hosts a 24-20 lead with 5:28 left.
A solid kick return allowed the Wolf Pack to start its ensuing drive at its own 39. However, the interior of the Northwestern line led by Tyler Lancaster stuffed Gangi on a rush on 4th and 1 and the Wildcats took over with 3:29 remaining.
The 'Cats sealed the game when Thorson hooked up on a 41-yard completion on 3rd and 7 that got the ball down to the Nevada 3. Three rushes late by Thorson, the quarterback punched the ball in from a yard out to wrap up the scoring with 52 seconds to go.
Northwestern returns to action at 11 a.m. Central time when it travels to Duke. The Wildcats return home Sept. 16 when they host Bowling Green at Ryan Field. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.