After running an option offense for years with quarterback Frank D’Angelo, Northwestern switched to a more straight forward game under Deven Bollinger.

Now, with Justin Holmes taking over at quarterback, the Tigers are again running the option and have seen it take shape week by week this season.

Friday night it worked better than at any point this season as the Tigers picked up 218 yards rushing in their 42-16 win over Wilson.

Early on, it looked like Wilson was going to use its momentum from a big comeback win last week to take it to the Tigers.

After Northwestern went three-and-out on their opening drive, the Warriors moved the ball methodically down the field, and quarterback Caden Stem capped the drive with a five-yard run to give Wilson a 7-0 early lead.

“They kind of punched us in the mouth with that first drive,” admitted coach Josh Snyder. “That put us on our heels a little bit, but as we went on, the defense seemed to start picking up more steam and we shut down some things. The biggest thing was shutting down No. 7 tonight [wide receiver Damon Simpson] and that made a big difference.”

Simpson found himself double-teamed all night, which forced Wilson to run the ball a little more than they might have liked or look for alternate receivers to get the ball to. Simpson had just two catches for 40 yards, with the big one coming on the opening drive when he pulled in a perfectly placed pass from Stem for 33 yards.

Northwestern started to move the ball better and got a short field to work with after they pinned Wilson at its own four-yard line after a 50-yard punt by Nick Henry. The defense forced the Warriors to go three-and-out and the offense took advantage of starting its drive at the Wilson 39 and needed just four plays to tie the score 7-7 on a 10-yard run by Holmes.

Holmes is growing more confident with his new role as quarterback and finished the night with 129 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. In the air, he threw for 146 yards and added two more touchdowns.

One of the tosses went to Cade Christopher, who kept his streak alive, pulling in his fourth catch of the season, all of which have been for touchdowns.

“It’s definitely not a true quarterback position but we always like to run the ball,” said Holmes. “Our line is new this year so we’re getting used to it and I think getting into week three here we’re really getting used to it and the ground game really worked today.”

Christopher’s touchdown went for 58 yards and put Northwestern up 20-7. Much of the yardage was picked up after the catch, with Christopher dancing around a couple of defenders and having to avoid a referee who was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

By halftime, Northwestern held a 28-14 lead, but knew that the Warriors had comeback from a 26-point deficit to Pen Argyl last week and they didn’t leave anything to chance. The Tigers shut down Wilson’s first drive of the second half and then used five straight option plays with Holmes keeping the ball on every one of them. The five runs resulted in 47 yards and finished in the end zone to put Northwestern up 35-14.

From there, it was primarily the Tigers defense that turned the tide. They forced a turnover on downs and notched a big sack to stall the Wilson offense. Holmes then returned a punt 41 yards to again leave a short field that Northwestern covered quickly when Holmes hit Justin Rodda for a 12-yard touchdown pass to make it 42-14.

“I think we’re all getting used to our roles with the offense and getting much better,” said Rodda. “Each week we get more comfortable and we’ve been able to make some big plays when we needed them.”

SNAP, SNAP

… With time winding down late in the game, Northwestern started a drive from their own 21-yard line. The next two plays saw wild snaps with the second one going out of the end zone for a safety. The two points were the only ones that Wilson would score in the second half.

GOOD BOUNCES

… Taylor Wikert found himself in the right spot to pick up his fourth interception of the season after a pass from Stem deflected off of a receiver’s hands and into his at midfield. Rodda also was in the right spot when Henry fumbled the ball on a run but saw it bounce right to Rodda, who easily pulled it in.