Team Stats
ILS
NU
Total Yards
372
277
Pass Yards
287
191
Rushing Yards
85
86
Penalty Yards
89
70
1st Downs
25
16
3rd Downs
3
5
4th Downs
1
3
TOP
34:18
25:42
2nd Quarter

ILS 6, NU 0
ILS - MOREIRA,George 6 yd run (SLATTERY,Sean kickfailed), 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 5:17
4th Quarter

ILS 6, NU 7
NU - Carr, Austin 10 yd pass from Thorson, C. (Mitchell, Jack kick) 12 plays, 55 yards, TOP 5:44

ILS 9, NU 7
ILS - SLATTERY,Sean 33 yd field goal 11 plays, 71 yards, TOP 3:11
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
Last-Second Field Goal Lifts Illinois State Past Northwestern, 9-7
9/10/2016 6:22:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Austin Carr pulled down seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, and Northwestern's defense picked off a pair of Illinois State passes, but the Redbirds nailed a 33-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the Wildcats, 9-7, Saturday at Ryan Field.
Montre Hardage snared his first-career interception in the end zone as well as wrapping up a career high nine solo tackles. Jared McGee also picked off a pass deep with Illinois State deep in Northwestern territory.
The loss moves Northwestern to 0-2, while Illinois State remains perfect at 2-0.
After a first quarter of jostling for field position, Indiana State looked poised to score first, getting to the Northwestern 8 yard-line after a 69-yard drive, when Hartage grabbed an interception to keep the game scoreless.
Illinois State's George Moreira punched in a six-yard run to break the deadlock 32 seconds before the half, with the extra-point going wide left to keep it at 6-0. Northwestern's defense was keeping points off the board, allowing just the one score on three Redbird trips to the red zone in the first half.
Punter Hunter Niswander set a personal best for the second straight game when he blasted a career long 62-yard punt in the second quarter.
Defenses dominated the third quarter, as Northwestern held ISU to just 62 yards in the quarter on four first downs, while NU put together a 76-yard drive, but their fourth-down attempt from the 22 came up empty.
The Wildcats burst out of the stagnant third quarter on the first drive of the fourth. After receiving a punt to open the quarter, Northwestern picked up two quick first downs to move to the ISU 28.
Quarterback Matt Alviti entered for two plays, rushing for three himself, and handing off to Auston Anderson for four yards and a crucial fourth down conversion. On fourth-and-five from the 10-yard line, Thorson found Carr in the corner for the #B1GCats' first score of the day, and Jack Mitchell's extra point split the uprights, giving Northwestern a 7-6 lead with 9:10 to play.
ISU reclaimed possession on their own 13-yard line with 3:11 remaining. Over 10 plays, they drove 68 yards to the Northwestern 16-yard line, taking a timeout with three seconds remaining to set up a 33-yard game winning-field goal attempt. After missing both a 49-yard field goal and an extra point in the first half, Sean Slattery hit the top of the left upright as time expired, giving Illinois State a 9-7 victory.
Northwestern returns to action at Ryan Field next Saturday, Sept. 17, as it takes on Duke. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
Montre Hardage snared his first-career interception in the end zone as well as wrapping up a career high nine solo tackles. Jared McGee also picked off a pass deep with Illinois State deep in Northwestern territory.
The loss moves Northwestern to 0-2, while Illinois State remains perfect at 2-0.
After a first quarter of jostling for field position, Indiana State looked poised to score first, getting to the Northwestern 8 yard-line after a 69-yard drive, when Hartage grabbed an interception to keep the game scoreless.
Illinois State's George Moreira punched in a six-yard run to break the deadlock 32 seconds before the half, with the extra-point going wide left to keep it at 6-0. Northwestern's defense was keeping points off the board, allowing just the one score on three Redbird trips to the red zone in the first half.
Punter Hunter Niswander set a personal best for the second straight game when he blasted a career long 62-yard punt in the second quarter.
Defenses dominated the third quarter, as Northwestern held ISU to just 62 yards in the quarter on four first downs, while NU put together a 76-yard drive, but their fourth-down attempt from the 22 came up empty.
The Wildcats burst out of the stagnant third quarter on the first drive of the fourth. After receiving a punt to open the quarter, Northwestern picked up two quick first downs to move to the ISU 28.
Quarterback Matt Alviti entered for two plays, rushing for three himself, and handing off to Auston Anderson for four yards and a crucial fourth down conversion. On fourth-and-five from the 10-yard line, Thorson found Carr in the corner for the #B1GCats' first score of the day, and Jack Mitchell's extra point split the uprights, giving Northwestern a 7-6 lead with 9:10 to play.
ISU reclaimed possession on their own 13-yard line with 3:11 remaining. Over 10 plays, they drove 68 yards to the Northwestern 16-yard line, taking a timeout with three seconds remaining to set up a 33-yard game winning-field goal attempt. After missing both a 49-yard field goal and an extra point in the first half, Sean Slattery hit the top of the left upright as time expired, giving Illinois State a 9-7 victory.
Northwestern returns to action at Ryan Field next Saturday, Sept. 17, as it takes on Duke. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Football - Oregon at Northwestern Postgame Press Conference (9/13/25)
Saturday, September 13
Football - 'Cats Fall to No. 4 Oregon (9/13/25)
Saturday, September 13
Football - Western Illinois Cinematic Recap (9/5/25)
Monday, September 08
Football - Week 3 Monday Press Conference (9/8/25)
Monday, September 08