Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats, 'Cuse Set for Saturday's Opener
8/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 25, 2008
NU FB Game Notes (vs. Syracuse) 
Monday Press Conference Video
Watch the full press conference on NUsports.com All-Access
Free Video
For Openers
• Northwestern begins its 121st season of intercollegiate football competition this Saturday, Aug. 30. The Wildcats are 72-44-4 (.617) in season-opening contests. In the last 13 years (since 1995), the Wildcats are 9-4 (.692) in opening games. NU is attempting to win its fourth straight season-opening game.
• After playing a non-Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team last year in its opener -- the first time in school history that NU had not opened against a FBS school (formerly known as Division I-A) -- NU returns to standard form, entertaining Syracuse University, a member of the Big East Conference.
• Northwestern returns a whopping 49 letterwinners this year -- 26 on offense, 19 on defense and four specialists. The Wildcats lost the services of 19 lettermen: seven on offense, 11 on defense and one specialist.
• The Wildcats have 19 starters returning, including eight on the offensive side of the ball. NU is returning all of its key skill players from an offense that finished second in Big Ten total offense (and led all schools for the regular season). Defensively, seven starters are back, including all four starters up front. Also back this year is honorable mention All-Big Ten safety Brendan Smith.
• NU has a strong chance of defending its Big Ten team passing title. The Wildcats are returning several of their top receivers, including three players with 100-plus career receptions -- Tyrell Sutton, Eric Peterman and Ross Lane, along with quarterback C.J. Bachér, a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award candidate who led the league in passing yardage and total offense. NU has led the Big Ten in passing yards two of the last three years (2005 and 2007).
• Senior running back Tyrell Sutton, who missed over half of his junior season with an ankle injury, is set for his senior year. A Doak Walker Award candidate and a member of the Maxwell Award Watch List, Sutton is primed to close his career the way it started when he was named the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year in 2005. He is just 1,328 yards shy of becoming NU's career leader in all-purpose yards and 1,489 yards shy of the 'Cats' career rushing title.
• This year's schedule includes six bowl teams from 2007-08, including a pair of teams (Ohio State, Illinois) who played in BCS bowls. Also on the schedule is FCS power Southern Illinois, which advanced to the third round of last year's NCAA Championship.
Gameday Promotions/Info
• Tickets for Saturday's game ($35 reserved/$25 end zone) can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com.
• Saturday is North Shore Community Day, and $13 end zone tickets are available to: city of Evanston employees, members of the North Shore Convention and Visitor's Bureau and members of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and all other North Shore communities.
• Saturday is also College Day and Turn Back the Clock Day. $18 student section tickets are available to undergraduates from any college or university (w/ ID) and to any NU alumni and their families.
• Meet Darnell Autry! Meet Darnell on the Randy Walker Terrace at halftime and receive a running backs poster that Darnell will autograph.
(NOTE: Tickets related to promotions must be purchased in advance)
• Fan FYI: There is no ATM in Ryan Field, and concession stands do not accept credit cards. The nearest ATM is located at the Chase Bank at the corner of Green Bay and Central, west of the stadium. Re-entry is not allowed at Ryan Field, so visit the ATM before entering if necessary.
(For a complete set of game notes, download the PDF above.)
