Eastern Illinois @ Northwestern preview

STORY: The Wildcats proved they could win without star quarterback Dan Persa, who sat out Northwestern’s 24-17 win over Boston College Saturday. Backup Kain Colter was steady under center and could get the call again versus FCS foe Eastern Illinois in Evanston, Ill. on Saturday. Northwestern, which has been looking for a solid rushing attack in recent years, ran for 227 yards and three scores in the opener.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: N/A

ABOUT NORTHWESTEN (1-0): Persa’s status for Week 2 is day-to-day after the team gave no timetable for his return from an Achilles injury suffered late last season. However, all signs point to a week of rest for the QB, who could suit up against Army on Sept. 17. Colter went 17 of 24 for 197 passing yards and one interception, while adding 71 yards and a score on the ground against Boston College.

ABOUT EASTERN ILLINOIS (1-0): The Panthers will test their mettle against an FBS foe after picking up a 33-26 victory over Ohio Valley rival Illinois State in Week 1. Eastern Illinois needed 21 fourth-quarter points to edge the Redbirds. It can’t afford to fall that far behind against NU, which will hound Panthers QB Jimmy Garoppolo on Saturday. Northwestern registered three sacks and eight tackles for a loss in Week 1.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Eastern Illinois has faced 28 FBS programs, posting an all-time record of 4-24 in those contests. The last time the Panthers took on a FBS opponent they fell 37-7 to Iowa, another Big Ten member, in last year’s season opener. This will be their sixth meeting with a Big Ten team; they're 0-5 in the previous contests. This is the first-ever meeting between EIU and NU.

2. Going back to the TicketCity Bowl last season, NU has posted back-to-back 200-yard rushing games for the first time since 2003. The Wildcats totaled 229 yards in a 45-38 loss to Texas Tech on New Year’s Day.

3. Saturday’s game is a homecoming for Panthers coach Bob Spoo and 27 of the Panthers’ 54 players from Illinois, who are natives of Chicago and the Chicagoland area.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 37, Eastern Illinois 13 – The Wildcats continue to develop their rushing game in preparation for Persa’s hopeful return next week, and pound the Panthers.