Northwestern University Athletics
Division-Leading 'Cats Tangle With Gophers in Minneapolis
10/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
| 2014 Northwestern Football -- Game Six |
|
| Northwestern (3-2, 2-0 Big Ten) at Minnesota (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) |
|
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 11 a.m. CT |
| Location | TCF Bank Stadium (50,805) | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| TV: | Big Ten Network | BTN2Go |
| Gametracker | NUsports.com |
| Game Notes | Northwestern  | Minnesota
|
| Radio | 87.7 FM The Game | WNUR Online |
| Social Media | @NU_SportsLIVE  | @NUFBFamily | Facebook  |
| Buy Future NU Football Tickets |
888-GO-PURPLE | Online Ticket Office |
| Shop | |
WATCH Weekly Monday News Conference: |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- As the only Big Ten team with a 2-0 mark in league play, Northwestern will do its best to carry its positive momentum north to Minneapolis Saturday when it travels to TCF Bank Stadium to square off with Minnesota (11 a.m. CT, BTN).
A victory over the Golden Gophers would give the Wildcats their first 3-0 start to a Big Ten campaign since the 2000 conference champion squad. The 'Cats also got off to 3-0 starts in the league in their 1995 and 1996 Big Ten title seasons, but prior to '95 had not turned the trick since 1970.
The game will be carried live to a national audience on the Big Ten Network, with Kevin Kugler, Glen Mason and Lisa Byington on the call. Fans may also choose to watch the game online or on their mobile devices via BTN2Go. On the radio, the game can be found on 87.7 FM The Game in Chicago or TheGameChicago.com, with the veteran tandem of Dave Eanet and Ted Albrecht calling the action from the booth at TCF Bank Stadium.
Northwestern Game Notes
• Northwestern's inaugural Big Ten West Division matchup resulted in a hard-fought 20-14 victory over No. 17/16 Wisconsin, NU's fourth consecutive home win over the Badgers dating to 2003. The win marked Northwestern's first victory against a ranked opponent since defeating No. 9 Nebraska on Nov. 5, 2011, and its first at home since topping No. 13 Iowa on Nov. 13, 2010.
• At the forefront of Northwestern's strong Big Ten start has been the suffocating play defensively, where the Wildcats rank third in the league and No. 14 nationally in scoring defense (16.2 points allowed per game). The 'Cats held Wisconsin to more than 25 points below its season scoring average and snapped UW's string of 17 consecutive games with at least 20 points scored, in the process completing a string of nine consecutive quarters in which they did not allow a touchdown (began in second quarter vs. Western Illinois, ended in third quarter vs. Wisconsin). Through five games last season, Northwestern had been allowing 27.0 points per outing.
Igwebuike the Latest to Earn High Marks in Starting Debut
• For the second consecutive week, a Northwestern redshirt freshman has earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognition on the heels of his first career start. This week's honoree is safety Godwin Igwebuike -- an addition to the starting lineup due to an injury to senior captain Ibraheim Campbell -- who against Wisconsin tied a school record with a trio of interceptions, two of which were made in the NU end zone. One week after LB Anthony Walker was the recipient of the league's Freshman of the Week honor, Igwebuike one-upped his classmate by also taking home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week laurels.
Jackson Carries the Load in the Backfield for NU
• Facing a Wisconsin defense that had been allowing just 86.3 yards per game, true freshman RB Justin Jackson broke out for 162 yards on 33 attempts, becoming the first NU player to surpass 100 rushing yards in a game since Treyvon Green at Nebraska on Nov. 2 of last year. Jackson's performance resembled many turned in by former NU standout Tyrell Sutton; Jackson's 33 carries were the most for an NU back Sutton also had 33 against Indiana on Nov. 10, 2007, and not since Sutton in 2005 had a true freshman topped 100 rushing yards in a game for the 'Cats.
• Senior WR Kyle Prater has been in top form on the perimeter for the Wildcats this season, leading the offense in both catches and receiving yards on two different occasions (vs. Northern Illinois, vs. Wisconsin). The 6-foot-5 Prater recorded career-best totals of seven catches for 87 yards against the Huskies, also hauling in his first collegiate touchdown reception on a 19-yard third-quarter toss from Trevor Siemian.
• Junior punter Chris Gradone is enjoying success in his first campaign as a starter. Gradone earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his effort against Western Illinois, when he averaged 44.2 yards while landing six of seven attempts inside the opposing 20-yard line, and then featured prominently in Northwestern's win over Wisconsin on Saturday. Gradone and his teammates on special teams overcame wet and windy conditions to produce a series of four straight punts downed at the opponent's 6-, 4-, 9- and 6-yard lines.
Series Notes
• Northwestern is looking to win at Minnesota for a fourth consecutive time and a third straight since the opening of TCF Bank Stadium. The last time the Gophers beat Northwestern in Minneapolis was 2004, when they topped the Wildcats 43-17 on Sept. 25, at the Metrodome.
• Northwestern's first visit to the Gophers' new home came in 2010, when the Wildcats eked out a 29-28 victory on the strength of a 300-yard passing game from QB Dan Persa. It was in the opening quarter of that game when then-true freshman wideout Tony Jones hauled in a 45-yard touchdown catch on his first collegiate play from scrimmage.
• After NU's four-interception performance against Wisconsin, Northwestern and Minnesota are tied with one another for second in the Big Ten with a (+6) turnover margin on the year, second only to Michigan State's (+10) figure. NU finished fourth in the league in turnover margin in 2013.
Minnesota Notes
• The Gophers are 5-2 in their last seven Big Ten games (Oct. 19, 2013 - Sept. 27, 2014), as they have posted home wins against Nebraska and Penn State and road wins at Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. Minnesota's two defeats came at home to No. 16 Wisconsin (20-7) and on the road to No. 11 Michigan State (14-3). The 5-2 mark is the best record for the Gophers in a seven-game conference stretch since it also went 5-2 from Oct. 25, 2003 - Oct. 9, 2004.
• The Gophers are allowing 19.0 points-per-game through five games this year. However, Minnesota's defense has been particularly staunch in its last 2.5 games (10 quarters), as it has allowed only 27 points during that time (Gophers allowed 68 points in first 10 quarters this year). Minnesota has played 20 quarters this season and has held opponents scoreless in 11 of those quarters.
• The Gophers have found success with their hometown quarterback Mitch Leidner. The sophomore has played in 14 career games for the Maroon and Gold (10-4 record) and started eight (6-2 record). He has rushed for 10 touchdowns (needs 14 to get into the top five all-time for QBs) and has passed for 1,148 yards and six touchdowns.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter and Instagram, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and sign up to receive promotional text alerts for the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
