Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Entertains Indiana For Homecoming This Saturday
10/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 19, 2009
NU Football Game Notes (vs. Indiana) 
For Openers
• Northwestern is back at Ryan Field this Saturday, Oct. 24, entertaining Big Ten foe Indiana University in the Wildcats' annual homecoming contest. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT. The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national audience.
• The Wildcats saw their three-game Big Ten road winning streak and a two-game overall victory string come to an end 24-14 last Saturday at Michigan State. NU led 7-0 at halftime, but a pair of costly second-half turnovers contributed to 24 unanswered Spartan points. The loss spoiled another terrific performance from quarterback Mike Kafka, who completed 34-of-47 passes for 291 yards and two TD's. He totaled 333 yards of total offense.
• Besides Kafka's outstanding day vs. Michigan State, senior wide receiver Zeke Markshausen had a game to remember as he caught a career-best 16 passes for 111 yards. He also scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 1-yard scoring play. Markshausen's 16 receptions were the second-most in a game at NU, and the most by a wide receiver. Tight end Jon Harvey holds NU's single-game catches record with 17.
• Indiana and Northwestern bring identical 4-3 overall and 1-2 Big Ten records into Saturday's game. Saturday's winner will even its conference record at 2-2 and move within one victory of bowl-eligibility.
• The Hoosiers are paced by quarterback Ben Chappell, this week's Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week, and a pair of dynamic wideouts in Tandon Doss (6.9 rpg, 96.6 ypg) and Damario Belcher (4.6 rpg, 54.1 ypg). Chappell threw for a career-high 333 yards and three TD's in IU's 27-14 win over Illinois on Saturday. Doss and Belcher have combined for 80 catches, 1,055 yards and four TD's. Defensively, Jammie Kirlew leads IU with 12.5 TFL's (5.5 sacks) and five forced fumbles.
• Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald and Indiana coach Bill Lynch share a common bond, having been named the new head coach at their current school following the untimely deaths of their respective head mentors -- NU's Randy Walker in 2006 and IU's Terry Hoeppner in 2007. Ironically, Walker and Hoeppner were close friends, as Hoeppner served on Walker's staff at Miami (Ohio) for nine years (1990-98).
Gameday Promotions/Ticket Info
• Tickets for Saturday's game ($50 reserved/$35 end zone/$40 corner adult & $20 corner youth -- advanced purchase only for the corner youth seats) can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com.
• Saturday is Youth Football Day at Ryan Field. End zone tickets are half-price ($18) for all youth football players (eighth grade and under), family members and coaches and must be purchased in advance. All teams will receive a welcome message on the videoboard. For the youth football day code, please e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
• Prior to each home game, Wildcat fans are encouraged to take part in "Walk with Us." When the Wildcats arrive about two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff, fans, along with the NU Marching Band, line Walker Way to help welcome the Wildcats to Ryan Field.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- Saturday's game will be broadcast on WGN 720 AM and wgnradio.com with the broadcast beginning at 10:30 a.m. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and former NU All-America place-kicker Sam Valenzisi (analyst) call the action. WNUR (89.3), NU's student radio station, also will carry the game. The game can also be heard on Sirius (channel 157) and XM (channel 198) satellite radio.
Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game nationally. Ari Wolfe (play-by-play), Mark Campbell (analyst) and Mike Hall (sideline) will call the game.
For a complete set of game notes, please download the PDF above.)
