Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Mistakes Cause Demise of Football Team Against Wisconsin, 35-19
10/30/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 30, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - The difference between the Northwestern and No. 11 Wisconsin football teams on Saturday was this: the Badgers made the most of their chances, while the Wildcats failed on just enough to give away a 35-19 game at Ryan Field that was closer than it looks.
How misleading is the final? Consider that on the day NU actually outgained the Badgers, 347-296. The Wildcats also had 21 first downs to Wisconsin?s 17. Several Northwestern drives throughout the day were snuffed out deep in Badger territory, though, including one critical play that swung the game the way of Wisconsin.
The Badgers looked every bit the juggernaut they?ve displayed in recent weeks during the first quarter, going 14 plays for 75 yards and a touchdown on their first drive of the day and then capitalizing on a poor ?Cat punt to score late in the stanza for a 14-0 lead.
In the second quarter, though, it was Northwestern that nearly scored. With just seconds left before halftime, the Wildcats drove to Wisconsin?s 6-yard line. On third down, though, NU?s Zak Kustok was picked off in the end zone by Mike Echols.
The third quarter got off to a promising start for Northwestern, though, when Heisman hopeful Ron Dayne was stripped of the ball deep in his own territory by Kevin Bentley. Though the Wildcats got three points on a Tim Long field goal, they missed out on a sure touchdown when a wide-open Ian Miller stumbled and fell while catching an underthrown Kustok pass at the 7-yard line.
The stinger came late in the third. Northwestern again drove deep into Badger territory, but on a slant pattern Kustok missed Teddy Johnson at the Wisconsin 7-yard line. UW?s Jamar Fletcher caught the ball instead, and 93 yards later he high-stepped into the NU end zone for a Badger touchdown.
Northwestern refused to die, scoring twice in the fourth quarter and adding two-point conversions both times.
Dayne did nothing to tarnish his Heisman Trophy campaign, rushing for a game-high 162 yards on 35 carries, while Brooke Bollinger had 39 yards rushing and completed 6-of-11 passes for 89 yards. Damien Anderson had another big day for Northwestern, gaining 102 yards on the ground, while Kustok completed 17-of-28 passes. Derrick Thompson was his primary target, catching seven passes.
