Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Seek Bowl Eligibility on Saturday as they Entertain Minnesota
11/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2011
NU FB Game Notes vs. Minnesota
11 a.m. CT • Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011
Ryan Field (47,130) • Evanston, Ill.
Television: Big Ten Network
Radio: WGN (720 AM), WNUR (89.3 FM), Sirius (Channel 113), XM (Channel 196)
Internet: WGNradio.com, WNUR.org
Gametracker: NUsports.com
In-game Twitter Updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
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For Openers
• After climbing back to the .500 mark with three straight wins, Northwestern aims to become bowl-eligible for a record fifth straight season when it hosts Minnesota at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ryan Field.
• Northwestern's November success continued with a 28-6 victory over Rice on Saturday, improving NU's record in November since the start of 2008 to 9-4. That includes a 5-2 record in road November games.
• The win over Rice capped Northwestern's nonconference schedule for 2011 as the Wildcats finished with a 3-1 mark outside of Big Ten play. Since taking over as head coach in 2006, Pat Fitzgerald is 19-5 (.792) against nonconference foes in the regular season.
• By knocking off the Owls Saturday, Northwestern's 2011 senior class became the winningest five-year class in the history of NU football. The group has been part of 35 wins, surpassing the 34 victories earned by the 2009 and 2010 senior classes.
• Northwestern has received remarkable production from its quarterback tandem of Dan Persa and Kain Colter beginning with Persa's return from injury in the Big Ten opener at Illinois. The Wildcats lead the Big Ten in passing yards per game with 261.0, a number that climbs to 284.2 when limited to conference-only statistics. NU also ranks second in Big Ten play in total offense per game (458.7) and second in passing efficiency (162.8).
• Colter has been a multi-dimensional threat as a passer, runner and receiver the way few players in college football have been in recent history. The sophomore is one of only two players since 1996 to compile at least 500 yards passing, 500 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in a season (Colter stands at 363 receiving yards on the year). The only other FBS or FCS player to meet that criteria in the last 15 years was Memphis' Maurice Avery in 2005 (894 passing, 570 rushing, 196 receiving). Additionally, Colter's 57 receiving yards at Nebraska represented the most by a player who also had 100 yards passing in the same game since the Huskers' Eric Crouch threw for 102 and recorded 63 receiving yards on Oct. 27, 2001.
• Twice in the last two games, the 'Cats have kept their opponents to three points or less in a half; NU allowed only a field goal to Nebraska in the first half before keeping Rice scoreless for more than three quarters on Satuday.
• On Monday, Nov. 14, NU superback Drake Dunsmore was named one of the eight semifinalists for the 2011 John Mackey Award, which honors the nation's top tight end.
A Win Over Minnesota Would ...
• Secure bowl-eligibility for Northwestern for a school-record fifth straight year.
• Improve Pat Fitzgerald's career record in the month of November to 13-7.
• Give Northwestern a four-game winning streak for the third time under Pat Fitzgerald.
Ticket Information/Next Game
• This Saturday's game vs. Minnesota is the second of three straight home games to wrap up the 2011 regular season. Following Saturday's game, the Wildcats will conclude the Big Ten season with Michigan State (11 a.m., Nov. 26).
Call 1-888-GO-PURPLE to speak to a ticket sales representative.
Michigan State Kickoff Time Announced
Northwestern and Michigan State will kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 26, with the Big Ten Network televising the Wildcats' final regular season game. WGN 720 AM will have the radio broadcast.
(For complete game notes, download the PDF linked at the top of the page.)
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