Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Remain at Ryan Field; Entertain Nevada This Saturday
9/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2007
NU Football Game Notes (vs. Nevada)
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highlights of Saturday's game from the Big Ten Network.
Coach Fitzgerald's opening statement.
Fitzgerald talk about the play of the linebackers on Saturday.
Fitzgerald discuss his wide receivers.
Fitzgerald comment on the play of Sherrick McManis.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Fresh off a solid 27-0 victory over Northeastern University, Northwestern continues its season-opening homestand this week, playing host to the Nevada Wolf Pack and their popular "pistol" offense. Kickoff is set for 11:07 a.m. CT (Big Ten Network) on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Saturday is Heroes' Day. All identified armed service and public safety officials and their families admitted free. (Offer valid day of game only.) Tickets are available ($30 reserved, $20 end zone) by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com.
Coming off back-to-back bowl appearances the past two years, Nevada faced a difficult challenge in its 2007 debut, taking on No. 20 Nebraska in front of nearly 85,000 fans in Lincoln. The Wolf Pack jumped ahead 10-7 on an 80-yard interception return by cornerback Jonathon Amaya with 10:53 remaining in the second quarter. From that point on, however, it was all Nebraska. The Huskers tallied the game's final 45 points, while piling up 413 rushing yards and 625 total yards.
Nevada quarterback Nick Graziano, who is in his first year as a starter after replacing All-WAC QB Jeff Rowe, was the Wolf Pack's leading rusher (29 yards on six carries) and passer (8-of-24 for 109 yards and one interception) versus Nebraska. Nevada's top two returning running backs, Luke Lippincott and Brandon Fragger, were held to a combined 11 rushing yards (on 11 carries) by the Cornhuskers. Receivers Mike McCoy and Marko Mitchell each caught a pair of passes for 37 and 34 yards, respectively. McCoy led Nevada with nine TD receptions in 2006.
Defensively, linebacker Joshua Mauga, Amaya and linebacker Kevin Porter recorded double-digit tackle totals against Nebraska with 13, 12 and 10 hits, respectively. Mauga also led Nevada with 1.5 TFL's. Nevada's top defender, outside linebacker Ezra Butler, sat out the season opener with an injury. He is a Lombardi Award candidate.
Last Saturday, Northwestern pitched its first shutout in 10 years, winning 27-0 over the Huskies of Northeastern. The Wildcats' last blanking was a 24-0 victory over Oklahoma on Aug. 23, 1997 in the Pigskin Classic, which was played at Soldier Field.
Northwestern received solid performances from its offense, defense and special teams in the season-opening win. The offense, fueled by quarterback C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit) and running back Tyrell Sutton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban), totaled 417 yards and did not commit a turnover. NU's defense, which allowed just 81 second-half yards and 260 yards overall, never let the Huskies inside the red zone. Behind Amado Villarreal (Englewood, Colo./Englewood) and Stefan Demos (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon), the Wildcat kicking game had a solid all-around day.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) is carrying the game live, with its pregame show starting at 10:30 a.m. The radio broadcast can also be heard live via the internet at wgnradio.com. 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. (Channel 198).
Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national audience. Scott Graham (play-by-play) and Derrick Walker (analyst) call the action. DirectTV will carry the game on Channel 219.
(For a complete set of game notes, download the above PDF.)
