What to look for when Northwestern Football hosts Indiana?

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Lausch’s electrifying performance – the highest of highs – in the win over Eastern Illinois in Week 3 was followed by the lowest of lows. Against Washington, Lausch completed just 8 of 27 passes for 53 yards as Northwestern fell into an early deficit that led to a 24-5 loss.

The Wildcats (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) had a bye last week, allowing coach David Braun’s team to regroup after the loss in Seattle. Meanwhile, Indiana enters Evanston fresh off a 42-28 home win over Maryland.

The Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) – led by first-year head coach Curt Cignetti – are experiencing a program renaissance. After failing to win more than four in three straight seasons, Indiana is 5-0 for the first time since 1967.

The game begins at 2:30 p.m. in NU’s first Lakefront Big Ten home game at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. It is also the first home game with undergraduate students back on campus.

As the Cats look to defeat a ranked team for the first time since 2020, here’s what to keep in mind.

1. Porter’s potential return

In his press conference Monday, Braun said he was confident that graduate student running back Cam Porter will line up behind Lausch on Saturday, although he noted that the staff won’t know for sure whether the star rusher will play until later in the week become.

“Cam is definitely trending in the right direction,” Braun said. “If there’s anyone who would do anything to have him come back, it’s Cam Porter.”

Against Washington, Porter was a late addition to the injured list with a lower-body injury. Without him, redshirt sophomore Joseph Himon II and redshirt freshman Caleb Komolafe combined for just 29 yards on 12 carries.

In three games, Porter has rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns. In each of his appearances this season, Porter averaged at least 4.8 yards per carry.

The NU offense faltered in the game without Porter, scoring the program’s fewest points of Braun’s tenure. With the ball at the one-yard line on first down and a score against Washington, the Cats couldn’t take any points.

“We’re not playing at the level we want, but I think there are a lot of areas where we’re excited for a breakthrough,” Braun said. “Up until Washington, I thought we did a great job of establishing the run game.”

Having the No. 1 guy in the backfield could help NU’s rushing game get back into shape and be the engine to turn the tide for the excitement-hungry ‘Cats.

2. The Hoosiers’ explosive offense

Indiana’s offense, led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke, was among the best in the country, averaging 48.8 points per game and 513 yards per game. Both numbers are in the top 10 nationally.

Rourke, the 2022 MAC Player of the Year for Ohio, has the most passing touchdowns in the Big Ten with 11 and is second in passing yards with 1,372. Braun said Rourke has the potential to cause immense problems for his defense given his talent level.

“We’ve seen some good quarterback play so far this year,” Braun said. “He’s definitely impressed me more than anyone I’ve seen on film so far this year. He’s doing a great job and the guys around him are giving him great support.”

In the last game, the Cats struggled to slow down Washington quarterback Will Rogers, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

Rourke threw his only two interceptions of the season in the final game against Maryland, giving Braun and his staff an idea of ​​what they need to do to disrupt the sixth-year quarterback.

“They have top-class, balanced quarterback play,” Braun said. “They do a great job in RPO. (They are) very strategic and well thought out in their throwing plays… We have to force (Rourke) to process the post-snap and we have to find ways to influence him in the pocket. ”

3. NU’s defense needs improvement

With the bye week over, the Cats’ defense had an extra week to prepare for Indiana’s offense.

Washington’s offense gave NU fits, especially in the first half, when the Huskies scored 17 of their 24 points. It was defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle’s unit’s worst performance this season in terms of total yardage allowed.

“Our guys on the defensive side of the ball weren’t happy with their performance and it wasn’t up to standard,” Braun said.

The Cats’ game against Washington was the first time this season that the defense didn’t record an interception. Redshirt junior defensive back Theran Johnson allowed a 46-yard touchdown on the Huskies’ second drive of the game.

Despite the team’s defensive slump less than two weeks ago, Braun said he has an inkling his defense can bounce back at home.

“There’s certainly a level of confidence in this group on that side of the ball,” Braun said. “I think this group is itching to get back to game day.”

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