WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Jeremy Larkin proved he could be Northwestern's workhorse Thursday night.
He also showed he's more than capable of replacing career rushing leader Justin Jackson.
In his first game as the Wildcats' feature back, the sophomore carried 26 times for a career-high 143 yards, scored two touchdowns and helped close out a season-opening 31-27 victory at Purdue with a final drive that consumed more than 7 1/2 minutes.
"I thought he (Larkin) managed the end of the game," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "All the little things, goes down and keeps the clock running.