(BCSNN) — Preston Stone threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns to lead Northwestern to a commanding 42-7 win over Western Illinois on Friday night at Martin Stadium. The victory marked the Wildcats’ first of the season and a much-needed bounce-back after a turnover-plagued opener at Tulane.

Stone, a graduate transfer from SMU, completed 21-of-29 passes and connected with three different receivers for scores: Hayden Eligon II, Hunter Welcing, and Drew Wagner. The Wildcats (1-1) scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and never looked back, building a 22-0 halftime lead and outgaining the Leathernecks by 345 yards.

Cam Porter led Northwestern’s rushing attack with 91 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, including a 43-yard burst on the opening drive. However, Porter exited early in the third quarter with a lower-body injury and did not return. Griffin Wilde paced the receiving corps with five catches for 94 yards, continuing his strong start to the season.

Western Illinois (0-2) struggled to generate offense against a swarming Northwestern defense that recorded two sacks, an interception, and multiple pass breakups. Starting quarterback Chris Irvin was held to 27 yards on 5-of-18 passing before being replaced by backup Carson Carswell, who threw an 8-yard touchdown to Christian Anaya late in the fourth quarter. Demari Davis led the Leathernecks with 46 receiving yards.

Northwestern’s defense was anchored by linebacker Mac Uihlein, who notched his first career interception, and defensive end Carmine Bastone, who tallied 1.5 sacks. The Wildcats held Western Illinois to just 181 total yards and 10 first downs, dominating time of possession and field position throughout the night.

Next up, Northwestern hosts No. 6 Oregon on Sept. 13 in its Big Ten opener — a major test for Stone and a defense that looked sharp against FCS competition. Western Illinois returns home to face Valparaiso, hoping to regroup after back-to-back losses to Big Ten opponents.