Ryan Hilinski will be making his first start for Northwestern.

Just minutes before kickoff, head coach Pat Fitzgerald announced that Hilinski will get the start as the Wildcats take on Ohio in the nonconference finale. It will be the South Carolina transfer’s first start since joining the program.

Hunter Johnson had earned the job to start the season but struggled mightily against Duke last week. He completed just 6-of-16 passes and had 3 interceptions without a touchdown pass.

Andrew Marty came in to relieve Johnson after the start. He led the Wildcats back into the fight but sustained an upper body injury.

Northwestern is 1-2 entering Saturday’s game with losses to Michigan State and Duke and its lone victory coming over Indiana State.