Northwestern University Athletics
Homecoming Weekend at NU: 'Cats Entertain Golden Gophers
10/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 8, 2007
NU Football Game Notes (vs. Minnesota)
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Coach Fitzgerald's opening statement.
Fitzgerald talk about how his offense played against Michigan State.
Fitzgerald discuss the improvement he has seen in his team.
Fitzgerald talk about playing in close games.
quarterback C.J. Bachér talk about the performance of the offensive line.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Coming off its best offensive outing in two years, Northwestern returns home this week for its annual homecoming game, taking on the Minnesota Golden Gophers this Saturday, Oct. 13 at Ryan Field. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m., with the Big Ten Network televising the game to a national audience.
Tickets (847-491-CATS or NUsports.com) are still available for Saturday's game and are priced at $50 for reserved seats and $30 for reserved end zone seats. Groups of 50 or more can purchase sideline seats at half price ($25). Saturday is LaSalle Bank Day at Ryan Field.
The Wildcats earned their season's first Big Ten win with an impressive offensive showing in East Lansing this past Saturday. Fueled by the arm of junior quarterback C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit), the Wildcats racked up 611 yards of total offense and upended Michigan State 48-41 in overtime. Bachér threw for a school-record 520 yards and five touchdowns. His performance, which was the fifth-best passing effort in Big Ten history, earned him Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week honors as well as Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week kudos.
After its Michigan State outing, Northwestern ranks among the nation's top passing units, averaging 296.3 yards per game, which is second in the Big Ten and 18th nationally.
Minnesota, which has former NU offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar guiding its offense, comes into Saturday's game with a strong passing pedigree as well. The Gophers ranks fourth in Big Ten total offense (436.5 ypg) and third in Big Ten passing offense (257.2 ypg). Minnesota allows just 0.8 sacks per game, which is the Big Ten's top figure.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Weber is having an outstanding rookie season, averaging 257.2 yards per game in the air and 301.8 yards per game of total offense. Weber is the Gophers' second-leading rusher (268 yards, 3 TD's) behind starting tailback Amir Pinnix (469 yards, 5.4 ypc, 3 TD's).
Weber's two favorite receivers are sophomore Eric Decker, who leads the Big Ten in receptions per game (7.3) and is second in receiving yards per game (93.3), and senior Ernie Wheelwright, who has 122 career receptions. Wheelwright averages 57.3 yards per game. Both Decker and Wheelwright have caught five TD passes this year.
Minnesota opened the year with a pair of overtime games, losing 32-31 to Bowling Green in Tim Brewster's head coaching debut. The following week, the Gophers gave their new mentor his first victory as they defeated Miami (Ohio) 41-35. Since the Miami win, Minnesota has lost four straight contests starting with a 42-39 setback at Florida Atlantic. The three Big Ten losses have come at the hands of Purdue, Ohio State and Indiana.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) is carrying the game live. The radio broadcast also can be heard via the internet at wgnradio.com. The broadcast begins at 10:30 a.m. 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. (Channels 196-199).
Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national audience. Jim Kelly (play-by-play), Mike Tomczak (analyst) and Marshall Harris (sideline) call the action.
(For a complete set of game notes, download the PDF above.)
