The redshirt freshman will face one of the nation's top defenses in his first college start.
Clayton Thorson is the starting quarterback for the Northwestern Wildcats. That much is certain. When Northwestern takes the field on Saturday against Stanford (11 a.m. CT, ESPN), and when the first offensive drive begins, No. 18 will be in the huddle.
But beyond glowing scouting reports and impressive high school tape that exhibited a combination of size and speed, a talented right arm, that's about all we know. That tape is evidence from the last time Thorson faced an opponent other than his own teammates.