Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
2-0
Duke
1-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Duke | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
Northwestern Downs Duke in Durham
9/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 6, 2008
Box Score | Box Score (PDF Format) 
| Notes
DURHAM, N.C. -- Senior running back Tyrell Sutton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) ran for two touchdowns and Northwestern's defense made two critical fourth-down stops down the stretch, leading the Wildcats to a 24-20 victory over Duke on Saturday night at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C..
In a game that featured four lead changes, Northwestern once again managed to win in dramatic fashion. The 'Cats own a 15-3 record in their last 18 games decided by seven points or less.
The game's outcome was still in doubt when Duke was in a fourth-and-5 situation from Northwestern's 24 with about 90 seconds remaining. Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis scrambled around the pocket before finding Clifford Harris open for what appeared to be the winning touchdown. But Duke's offensive line was flagged for holding to negate the score, and Lewis' desperation pass intended for Johnny Williams fell incomplete on the next play
Senior tailback Omar Conteh (Cypress, Texas/Cy-Fair) gave Northwestern (2-0) the lead for good with a two-yard touchdown run with 9:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. The score capped off a nine play, 72-yard drive by the Wildcats. NU had trailed 20-17 in the fourth quarter after Duke's Thaddeus Lewis scored on a 16-yard run.
Sutton's two touchdowns came on an 18-yard scamper in the first quarter and a four-yard rush early in the second 15-minute frame. His two scores gave him sole possession of fourth place on the school's career rushing touchdowns list (27), passing former Wildcat Noah Herron. The senior carried the ball 16 times against Duke on his way to 66 yards rushing.
Northwestern set up Sutton's second score when, following a muffed punt by Duke, senior wide receiver Eric Peterman (Sherman, Ill./Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) took the handoff from quarterback C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit) only to complete a 25-yard pass back to Bachér down to the four yardline.
Bachér finished the game with 226 yards through the air on 14-for-31 passing, marking the 18th time in his 19 career starts he has surpassed the 200-yard plateau.
Senior linebacker Prince Kwateng (Munster, Ind./Munster) led the way for NU's defense, tallying a career-high 11 tackles, while cornerback Sherrick McManis (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) tied a career high with 10 total stops.
The Blue Devils (1-1) had a 472-328 advantage in total offense and nearly doubled up the Wildcats in time of possession, but a few key mistakes kept them from winning their first two games for first-year coach David Cutcliffe.
Northwestern returns home to face FCS power Southern Illinois (12-2 last year) at 11 a.m. CT next Saturday, Sept. 13. The game is being televised by the Big Ten Network.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
Team Stats
NU 0, DU 7
DU - Harris, C. 2 yd run (Maggio, N. kick), 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 5:07
NU 7, DU 7
NU - Sutton, Tyrell 18 yd run (Villarreal, A. kick), 4 plays, 55 yards, TOP 0:55
NU 14, DU 7
NU - Sutton, Tyrell 4 yd run (Villarreal, A. kick), 2 plays, 29 yards, TOP 0:20
NU 14, DU 10
DU - Maggio, N. 21 yd field goal 16 plays, 87 yards, TOP 7:47
NU 17, DU 10
NU - Villarreal, A. 35 yd field goal 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:13
NU 17, DU 13
DU - Maggio, N. 38 yd field goal 9 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:48
NU 17, DU 20
DU - Lewis, T. 16 yd run (Maggio, N. kick), 9 plays, 73 yards, TOP 3:53
NU 24, DU 20
NU - Conteh, Omar 2 yd run (Villarreal, A. kick), 9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 3:04
