Northwestern University Athletics
NU Prepares to Host Seventh-Ranked Buckeyes
9/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 2004
NU-OSU Football Game Notes
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- For the third time in five weeks, Northwestern is playing a highly touted opponent in front of a prime-time national television (ESPN2) audience. This time, however, the game is being played at Ryan Field, and not on the road. Northwestern, which is seeking its second straight home win, is entertaining the seventh-ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State, who had an open date last Saturday. Kickoff for this week's Big Ten contest is 8:12 p.m. CDT.
Northwestern was unable to slow down 18th-ranked Minnesota last weekend, falling 43-17 to the Golden Gophers at the Metrodome. Minnesota's defense was the story of the game, holding the Wildcats to season lows for points (17), total offense (267) and passing yards (127). The Wildcats trailed 33-10 at halftime, and despite scoring a touchdown on their second-half opening drive, they could not get any closer than 16 points the rest of the way.
Led by its stellar defense and special teams, Ohio State begins Big Ten play at 3-0 after extending its winning streak versus nonconference opponents to 14 with a 22-14 road victory over North Carolina State on Sept. 18. In that contest, the Buckeyes were held to 137 yards of total offense, but place-kicker Mike Nugent rescued the Bucks, kicking a school-record-tying five field goals, with three of the five coming from distances of 46 or more yards. OSU's defense, which ranks 13th nationally, is allowing 261.3 yards per game and 13.7 ppg. Linebacker A.J. Hawk, a first-team All-Big Ten player and last year's Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP, leads the Buckeye defense. He ranks third in Big Ten tackles, averaging 10.0 per game. Nugent, who drilled a 55-yard field goal to beat Marshall as time expired, has hit 8-of-9 field goal attempts this season. He leads the country in field goals per game (2.7).
Offensively, running back Lydell Ross (94.0 ypg) and receiver Santonio Holmes (5.3 rpg, 110.3 ypg) are the Buckeyes' key offensive performers, along with first-year quarterback Justin Zwick (42-of-77 for 610 yards, 4 TD's).
A limited number of tickets ($40) remain for this game. Tickets can be purchased by calling NU's ticket office at 847-491-CATS, or visiting NU's web site.
As a part of its year-long tribute to Otto Graham, NU has invited several first-team All-Americans back to serve as honorary captains this year. This week, Mike Adamle and Sam Valenzisi will be on hand for pregame ceremonies.
Saturday is LaSalle Bank Day at Ryan Field.
(For a complete set of notes, see the PDF link above.)
