Northwestern Post-Game Notes

Oct. 10, 2009

Northwestern won its second straight game to improve to 4-2 overall (1-1 in the Big Ten). The Wildcats now own a six-game nonconference home winning streak. Northwestern carries a three-game Big Ten Conference road winning streak to Michigan State (3-3, 2-1) next week. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. CT with either ESPN or ESPN2 televising.

Northwestern won its second game in a row versus Miami, and posted its first win over Miami on its home field since 1963. The Wildcats held Miami to single-digits in points in both games-three in 2006 and six in 2009.

Northwestern is 15-8-1 all-time against Mid-American Conference schools, having won its last eight against the conference. The Wildcats went 2-0 vs. the MAC this season.

Since 2007, Northwestern owns a 10-2 record against nonconference competition during the regular season. Dating to 2008, NU has posted a 7-1 regular season nonconference mark.

Since 1992, NU has posted a .500 or better record vs. non-league opponents each season with the exception of 2004. The Wildcats have won at least two nonconference games in 16 of the last 18 years.

Northwestern's string of shutout football (five-plus quarters) came to an end when Miami scored a late touchdown with 1:19 remaining. Dating to early in the second quarter at Purdue, the Wildcats' shutout string spanned 100 minutes 32 seconds.

Northwestern's six points allowed are the fewest in a game since they shut out Northeastern 27-0 on Sept. 1, 2007.

NU has a 9-0 record when leading at halftime over the past two seasons.

Northwestern, which entered the day leading the Big Ten (seventh nationally) with 76.6 offensive plays per game, had 72 today.

Northwestern's defense sacked Miami QB Zac Dysert eight times today, a single-game school record. NU has registered 11 sacks in its last two games.

LB Quentin Davie had three of Northwestern's eight sacks. In addition, Davie had two forced fumbles and seven tackles.

Davie's 7.5 career sacks ranks second among current Wildcats and he has recorded four in his last two games.

For the first time this season, QB Mike Kafka led the Wildcats in rushing with 53 yards. With his two rushing TD's, Kafka leads Northwestern (excluding kickers) in scoring this season with five TD's and 30 points. Miami was led in rushing, too, by its quarterback, Zac Dysert (63 yards). Kafka was 15-of-31 passing for 191 yards, giving him 244 yards of total offense.

With five catches for 68 yards to lead all players, WR Zeke Markshausen paced the Wildcats in receptions for the fourth straight game. He leads NU this season with 34 catches.

SB Drake Dunsmore, who came into the game ranked second in receptions among NU players with 21 catches, had four more receptions today.

With his first quarter field goal, PK Stefan Demos extended his string of made field goals to nine. His first miss of his career occurred in the second quarter when Miami blocked his 40-yard attempt. Demos began the day as the only player in the nation (for kickers with seven or more attempts) who had yet to miss a field goal.

Demos' 46-yard field goal in the first quarter was the second-longest of his career. He had a game-winning 49-yarder against Eastern Michigan earlier this season.

Demos' 46-yard punt was his longest of 2009. Of his seven punts today, two fell inside the 20-yard line.

The Wildcat defense held Miami's Dysert to 176 yards passing. He had been averaging 311.5 yards per game in his previous two starts, the first two for the redshirt freshman.

With four turnovers forced today, NU's defense has accounted for 10 takeaways in its last two games. NU forced seven in the season's first four games. The Wildcats now own a +5 in turnover margin this year.

LB Nate Williams notched his first career interception in the first quarter.

Williams equaled a career high with 12 tackles, which he has achieved twice in his career. His 10 assists also tied a single-game high.

CB Sherrick McManis' interception marked his third straight game with an interception after he missed the previous two games (Eastern Michigan, Syracuse) with an injury. He also added two pass breakups. McManis now has seven career interceptions, which ranks ninth on the Wildcat career list (along with S Brendan Smith and four other players).

DE Vince Browne established career highs for tackles (8) and solo tackles (6). He had two TFL's, one of which was an 8-yard pass sack.

S Brian Peters, who gained more playing time than usual with the loss of Brendan Smith to a hand injury, totaled a career-high eight tackles, to go along with a highlight-reel interceptions (8 yards) and a 27-yard fumble return.

S Brad Phillips totaled a season-high 11 tackles (six solos), which included a 7-yard sack.

LB David Arnold made his first career start today and finished the game with 5 tackles (4 solos), which included 2 TFL's. One of his TFL's was an 8-yard sack. DE Kevin Watt also started his first career game and totaled four tackles (0.5 TFL's).

Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

David Arnold

Vince Browne

Quentin Davie

Stefan Demos

Drake Dunsmore

Mike Kafka

Zeke Markshausen

Sherrick McManis

Brian Peters

Brad Phillips

Brendan Smith

Kevin Watt

Nate Williams

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