Northwestern University Athletics
Home Winning Streak On The Line vs. Unbeaten Penn State
9/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 19, 2005
NU-Penn State Football Game Notes
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- With its nonconference season in the record books, Northwestern now turns its attention to the Big Ten season. This year's conference opener comes against the Penn State Nittany Lions, who are off to a solid 3-0 start after posting three convincing victories at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CDT at Ryan Field. ESPN2 is televising the contest.
The Wildcats are seeking their eighth straight home victory and their fifth consecutive home win against a Big Ten foe. Northwestern's current Ryan Field victory string is its longest since a school-record 12-game home streak in the mid-1990s.
Northwestern returns home after a tough trip to the Valley of the Sun. The Wildcats ran into a highly motivated Arizona State football team, which was coming off an emotional 35-31 loss to LSU. Versus the 'Cats, the Sun Devils unleashed an offensive attack that was hitting on all cylinders. Combined, the two teams totaled 1,189 yards of total offense--ironically, the same exact total that Northwestern and Michigan combined for in that memorable 2000 Wildcat win. This time, however, Northwestern came out on the losing end, dropping a 52-21 decision the 18th-ranked Sun Devils.
Quarterback Brett Basanez (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator), wide receiver Shaun Herbert (Oxon Hill, Md./Bishop McNamara) and freshman running back Tyrell Sutton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) continue to lead the Wildcat offense, which ranks 12th nationally in total offense and 37th in scoring. Basanez, who ranks 13th nationally in total offense, has thrown to 13 different players in three games, with Herbert leading all receivers with 21 catches and four touchdowns. Sutton is averaging 138.7 rushing yards per game and has scored six TD's.
The Nittany Lions are again playing tremendous defense this year, allowing 276.3 ypg and just 47.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks sixth nationally. Linebackers Tim Shaw and Paul Posluszny are two of Penn State's top defensive standouts. Offensively, Michael Robinson is calling the signals for the Nittany Lion offense, and is getting solid production from tailback Tony Hunt (87.3 ypg, 7.3 ypc) and freshmen receivers Derrick Williams (9 for 145 yds.) and Deon Butler (7 for 181 yds., 3 TD's). Robinson has completed 34-of-55 passes for 584 yards and six TD's.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) will carry the game live on the internet (wgnradio.com) with its pregame show at 10:30 a.m. The radio broadcast will air live on WCPT (850 AM) due to a previously scheduled Chicago Cubs baseball game. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Ted Albrecht (analyst) call the action. WNUR (89.3), NU's student radio station, also will carry the game live. The contest is also available on the XM Satellite Radio network. (Big Ten channels are 196 to 199).
Television -- ESPN2 is televising the game to a national audience. Pam Ward (play-by-play), David Norrie (analyst) and Jimmy Dykes (sideline) call the action.
(For a complete set of game notes, please download the PDF above.)
