Northwestern headed into halftime with a 10-3 lead over #21 Stanford Cardinal. Here’s some notes from the first half:
- Stanford had their way with the NU defense on the first drive. RB Christian McCaffrey got plenty of touches, and he figures to be a big part of the Cardinal’s offense this season. But on 3rd & 8 on Northwestern’s 12-yard line, QB Kevin Hogan’s pass to McCaffrey was incomplete. Good pass defense by LB Anthony Walker while DL Deonte Gibson hurried Hogan up.
- NU’s second drive much better than first. 13 plays, 69 yards. Thorson connecting with Christian Jones early, but later in the drive made a couple poor passes. Justin Jackson had two runs of at least 16 yards, and entered the second quarter with 45 yards on five rushes. He is good.
- Stanford’s fourth drive went 6 plays, 7 yards. The Northwestern defense really clamped down on the Cardinal offense after that initial drive.
- Clayton Thorson ran for a 42-yard touchdown with 6:18 left in the half. He had 63 yards, second on the team to Jackson’s 66.
- LB Anthony Walker was everywhere in the first half. The sophomore had 5 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and also recovered a fumble. An absolute monster on the field.