Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
2-7 , 0-5
Michigan
9-0 , 6-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Michigan | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Wildcats Hang Tough With No. 2 Wolverines
10/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 28, 2006
Northwestern at Michigan Box Score in PDF Format
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Oct. 28, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Northwestern hung tough with No. 2 Michigan on Saturday, but Mike Hart and the talented Wolverine defense were too much to overcome as Michigan posted a 17-3 rain-soaked win over the Wildcats on Saturday.
Hart and the Wolverines' swarming defense kept Michigan on track for a potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup at Ohio State on Nov. 18. The Wildcats visit Iowa next week before entertaining Ohio State and Illinois the last two weeks of the regular season.
Northwestern (2-7, 0-5) trailed only 10-3 midway through the third quarter against Michigan when the game turned on a miscue by Wildcats quarterback C.J. Bacher, who was making his second career start.
Michigan cornerback Leon Hall, who had a fumble recovery earlier in the game, intercepted Bacher, setting up the Wolverines at the Northwestern 36. Hart gained 23 yards off left tackle on fourth-and-2 and, two plays later, he ran untouched into the end zone from the 3 to make it 17-3 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.
Northwestern again had a chance to cut into Michigan's lead when Wildcats defensive tackle John Gill recovered Brandon Minor's fumble at the Michigan 24 seconds into the fourth quarter. But Bacher was picked off by Willis Barringer in the end zone.
The Wildcats didn't threaten again.
Bacher finished 20-of-41 for 204 yards and the two interceptions.
He had to deal not only with the stingy Michigan defense, but also a steady rain and swirling wind that left the American flag at one end of the stadium wrapped around the pole.
Bacher was knocked out of the game with three minutes remaining and was replaced by Andrew Brewer.
Bacher's backfield mate, running back Tyrell Sutton, had 172 yards on the ground against Michigan State, but found very little room against Michigan's top-rated run defense. He was stuffed by David Harris for a 2-yard loss on his first carry of the game and finished with six yards on seven carries. Northwestern rushed for minus-13 yards.
Northwestern pulled to within 10-3 on Joel Howells' 38-yard field goal on its first possession of the second half.
Northwestern's six first-half possessions ended with two fumbles and four punts.
Bacher threw his first pass of the game into the turf well short of intended receiver Ross Lane and ended that first drive by having the ball stripped by defensive end LaMarr Woodley, who pounced on the ball at the Michigan 48 yard line.
Five plays later, Chad Henne threw a 14-yard pass to Adrian Arrington in the corner of the end zone and Michigan was up 7-0.
Henne was 10-for-20 for 116 yards with star receiver Mario Manningham out again with a knee injury. Henne has only two TD passes the last three games without Manningham.
Garrett Rivas completed the first-half scoring by booting a 30-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.
Team Stats
NU 0, MICH 7
MICH - Arrington, A. 14 yd pass from Henne, Chad (Rivas, Garrett kick) 6 plays, 52 yards, TOP 2:39
NU 0, MICH 10
MICH - Rivas, Garrett 30 yd field goal 11 plays, 36 yards, TOP 4:05
NU 3, MICH 10
NU - Howells, Joel 38 yd field goal 9 plays, 33 yards, TOP 3:52
NU 3, MICH 17
MICH - Hart, Mike 3 yd run (Rivas, Garrett kick), 6 plays, 36 yards, TOP 2:55
