CHICAGO, Ill. - Northwestern remains in search of its first win at Wrigley Field after a 31-7 loss to No. 2 Ohio State.
The Wildcats gave head coach Ryan Day's crew an early scare and took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, but the Buckeyes quickly found their groove and rattled off 31 unanswered points to seal their victory.
Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch was 21-for-35 for 201 yards with a rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Bryce Kirtz made his return from injury with seven catches for 92 yards as the Wildcats' leading receiver, but their performances couldn't make a lasting dent in the formidable Ohio State squad, especially when plagued by a first-drive fumble by Lausch and a series of bad snaps.
"Against an opponent like Ohio State, the margin is ultra-thin," head coach David Braun said. "There were some things in the first half that gave us an opportunity, then some things that unraveled in the second quarter. In any game, let alone one against a team like Ohio State, it can't happen."
Ohio State wide receiver and Chicago native Carnell Tate had four catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns, and freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith chipped in four catches for a game-high 100 yards in his own right. Running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson combined for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Here are our takeaways from Northwestern's Homecoming loss.