Northwestern University Athletics
Moment No. 3: The 2010 Outback Bowl
8/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 4, 2010
The 2009-10 athletic year at Northwestern University was one to remember. Filled with memorable wins, honors and championships, there was much to be celebrated this past year in Evanston. Be sure to follow along at NUsports.com through August 6 as we take a look back at some of the very best highlights the Wildcats experienced last season.
First Half Photo Gallery | Second Half & Overtime Photo Gallery
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's exciting comeback and incredibly resilient effort in the 2010 Outback Bowl ultimately fell short, but as Big Ten Media Days proved this week, that game still is being talked about as the most thrilling of the bowl season. That performance by NU is the No. 3 entry on our countdown of top moments from the 2009-10 athletic season at Northwestern.
Senior Mike Kafka broke an Outback Bowl record with a school-record 532 passing yards, throwing for four scores and running for another to lead a furious Northwestern comeback to force overtime, but the Wildcats ultimately fell to Auburn, 38-35.
With NU trailing by 14 and three minutes to play, Kafka scrambled for a 2-yard score to draw the Wildcats within eight, 35-27, after the extra point was blocked. On the ensuing Auburn possession, Brad Phillips forced a fumble recovered by Sherrick McManis, setting up a Kafka to Sidney Stewart 18-yard strike with 1:15 to go. A beautiful tricky 2-point conversion pass from Andrew Brewer to Brendan Mitchell tied the game.
A fumble on the ensuing kick gave NU the ball back again, but a field goal attempt went wide to force overtime. After Auburn kicked a field goal on their possession, Northwestern first attempted one of its own, but it clanged off the right upright. Auburn drew a roughing the kicker penalty to give NU another shot, however. A fake field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 2 was not successful, ending the game.
Relive the entire game through video highlights, notes, quotes, photos and more at the original game recap on NUsports.com.
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