Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Plays Final 2006 Road Game at Iowa
10/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 30, 2006
NU Football Game Notes (vs. Iowa)
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The Game
Before returning home to play its final two games of the 2006 season -- one against the nation's top-ranked team, Ohio State -- Northwestern makes its final Big Ten journey of the year to Iowa this Saturday, Nov. 4. Kickoff is set for 11:10 a.m. at the Hawkeyes' newly refurbished Kinnick Stadium.
The Wildcats are coming off a spirited 17-3 loss at second-ranked Michigan. Despite a season-high-tying five turnovers by its offense, Northwestern's defense and special teams kept the Wildcats in the game. The 'Cats passed for 204 yards, but could not muster a ground attack (-13 yards) against the nation's top-ranked rushing defense.
Iowa (6-3) stepped out of league play last weekend and defeated Northern Illinois 24-14 to become bowl eligible. The Hawkeyes played their last Big Ten game against Michigan on Oct. 21, and fell 20-6 to the Wolverines.
Iowa quarterback Drew Tate, who sat out the NIU game after injuring a thumb at Michigan, is expected to return to action this week against the Wildcats. Tate, a preseason All-Big Ten selection, also missed a game earlier this season due to injury. In seven games, Tate has completed 138-of-233 passes (59.2 percent) for 1,678 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. He ranks second in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (239.7) behind Purdue's Curtis Painter. Tate also ranks second among Big Ten players in total offense (248.9). He is second all-time at Iowa in passing yards and total offense behind Chuck Long.
If Tate is unable to play this week, redshirt freshman Jake Christensen will likely get the call after turning in a solid performance against Northern Illinois last week. Making his first career start, Christensen completed 19-of-30 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Running back Albert Young, who has been slowed with a knee injury this year, has played in seven of Iowa's nine games, and has rushed for 469 yards (4.1 ypc) and five touchdowns. Damian Sims has rushed for 502 yards (5.2 ypc) and five touchdowns.
Iowa's favorite receiving target is John Mackey Award candidate Scott Chandler. The tight end has caught a team-best 37 receptions for 439 yards (11.9 ypr) and five TD's.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes, who rank 37th nationally in points allowed (18.2 pg), are led by junior linebacker Mike Klinkenborg, who ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally with 10.1 tackles per game.
Iowa touts the seventh-best home winning percentage (22-2, .917) since the 2003 season.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN will carry the game live on 720 AM. The broadcast also can be heard live via the internet at wgnradio.com. The pregame show begins at 10:30 a.m. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Ted Albrecht (analyst) call the action. The contest is also available on the XM Satellite Radio network. (Channels 197-199).
Television -- ESPN Plus is televising the game to a regional audience across the Big Ten syndicated network. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and Kelly Stouffer (analyst) call the action.
Kickoff Time Announced For NU-Ohio State
Northwestern and Ohio State will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Ryan Field. ABC is televising the game.
(For a complete set of game notes, see the PDF above.)
