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Evanston, IL (Sports Network) - Stefan Demos buried a career-long 49-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in regulation to give the Northwestern Wildcats a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ryan Field.

Stephen Simmons ran for 73 yards on just 13 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats (2-0) in the victory, helping to overcome a mediocre effort from signal-caller Mike Kafka, who completed 14-of-24 attempts for 158 yards and an interception.

Dwayne Priest amassed 127 yards on the ground with a score to lead the Eagles (0-2) in the losing effort, while Andy Schmitt completed 20-of-28 for 148 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions for EMU.

The Wildcats struck first midway through the first quarter on a Simmons one- yard plunge.

Simmons found the endzone again early in the second period following a 14- yard scamper to give Northwestern a 14-0 lead.

A 70-yard interception return by Ben Johnson just minutes later extended the Northwestern lead to 21-0.

The Eagles finally got on the board just minutes before halftime with a 33- yard field goal from Joe Carithers.

Eastern Michigan added another score late in the third quarter following a one-yard plunge by Priest.

The Wildcats extended their advantage to 24-10 early in the final period of play with a 20-yard Demos field goal.

But the Eagles would not go away so easily, as EMU responded with a 25-yard score from Schmitt to Jacory Stone midway through the frame and then scored on a Terrence Blevins three-yard run with under three minutes remaining to tie the contest at 24 apiece.

However, the EMU comeback was thwarted with six seconds left, as the Wildcats prevailed, 27-24, following the 49-yard kick from Demos.