EVANSTON, Ill (AP) — Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan had three total touchdowns in his first start of the season to lead Northwestern to a 23-20 win over Howard on Saturday.

Cam Johnson and Bryce Kirtz each had a receiving touchdown as the Wildcats were able to stave off a late comeback push by the Bison on homecoming weekend.

Sullivan filled in for starter Ben Bryant and was the difference maker for Northwestern (3-3). He finished with two passing touchdowns and one score on the ground.

Northwestern didn't waste much time getting on the board. After moving the ball into the Bison's territory on the opening drive, Sullivan faked a handoff and ran down the sideline for a 35-yard touchdown to make it 7-0. An intentional grounding penalty on the Bison increased its lead to 9-0.

Howard (2-3) threatened to score with 5:56 left in the first half but failed to convert on fourth-and-2 on the Northwestern 20-yard line. It proved to be the turning point as Sullivan led the offense down the field and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson II with 26 seconds left in the half.

Sullivan found Johnson for Northwestern's final touchdown with 2:36 in the third to make it 23-7. He finished with 131 yards through the air. Cam Porter rushed for 78 yards while Anthony Tyus added 44.

Howard's offense struggled in the first half before it scored 20 second-half points. Ja’Shawn Scroggins and Jarret Hunter each had 1-yard touchdowns while Eden James added a 64-yard score on the ground. However, two failed fourth-down conversion attempts deep in Northwestern's territory did them in.

Quinton Williams finished with 169 passing yards and completed 18 of 30 of his passes. James led Howard with 177 rushing yards.

BANGED UP

Bryant did not play against Howard after he sustained an upper body injury during the team's loss to Penn State last weekend. Wildcats interim coach David Braun previously said he “anticipated” the graduate transfer would be under center on Saturday but did not commit to Bryant being on the field versus the Bison.

THE TAKEAWAY

Northwestern: Sullivan showed he is capable of running the Wildcats' system while the team waits for Bryant to return from injury.

UP NEXT

Howard: The Bison will be on the road next Saturday when they face Harvard.

Northwestern: The Wildcats won't return to action until Oct. 21 when they face Nebraska on the road in a Big Ten battle.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll