Northwestern
Iowa
GAME NOTES: Wildcats and Hawkeyes to Square Off at Ryan Field
10/18/2017 10:46:00 AM | Football
| NORTHWESTERN FOOTBALL: GAME DAY INFORMATION | |||||
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | LOCATION | BROADCAST | LIVE STATS |
| Saturday, October 21 | Iowa | 11 a.m. | Ryan Field | TV: ESPN2 RADIO: WGN 720 |
Gameday Central |
| ESPN2: Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline) WGN 720: Dave Eanet (play-by-play), Ted Albrecht (analyst), Adam Hoge (sideline) Social: Twitter (@NUFBFamily and @NU_SportsLive) | Instagram (@nufbfamily) | Facebook Game Notes: Northwestern | Iowa | Big Ten | Digital Gameday Program |
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EVANSTON, Ill. — The Northwestern football program will kick off a stretch that includes four of its next five games at home when it hosts Iowa at Ryan Field this week.
The Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) and Hawkeyes (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) will kick off on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. CT., with Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer and Kris Budden on the call. As always, fans can also listen to the contest on WGN 720 with the voice of the Wildcats Dave Eanet, Ted Albrecht and Adam Hoge.
JUSTIN JACKSON: THE RECORD HOLDER
Senior running back Justin Jackson cemented his name in the Northwestern record book as the program's all-time leading rusher with a season-high 171 yards in the Wildcats' 37-21 win at Maryland, bringing his career total to 4,639. Not only did Jackson become the program's all-time leading rusher, but he also set new program records for career all-purpose yards (5,350) and career rushing attempts (963).
KUHBANDER KICKS HIS WAY TO NU HISTORY
First-year kicker Charlie Kuhbander was named the Big Ten's Special Teams Player of the Week Monday morning after becoming the first rookie in program history to make three field goals in a single game. Kuhbander matched his season long with a 40-yard strike in the first quarter and went on to connect from 34 and 32 yards later in the game, finishing with a season-high 13 points. The Springsboro, Ohio, native has made six consecutive field goal attempts and 20 consecutive extra points and is ranked third nationally among qualified first-year kickers with a 85.7 percent field goal percentage.
SAMDUP SACKS
First-year defensive end Samdup Miller recorded his third sack of the season with a six-yard loss in the second quarter at Maryland, becoming the first Wildcat to record a sack in three-straight games since Ifeadi Odenigbo accomplished the feat last season versus Iowa (Oct. 1), Michigan State (Oct. 15) and Indiana (Oct. 22). Miller is also the first rookie Wildcat to record a sack in three straight since Odenigbo did so in 2013 versus Nebraska (Nov. 2), Michigan (Nov. 16) and Michigan State (Nov. 23). The Houston, Texas, native is tied for second in Big Ten play with three solo sacks, the most by a first-year player.
PARTY IN THE BACKFIELD
The Wildcats racked up nine tackles for loss in their victory at Maryland and have now recorded 21 tackles for loss over their last two games. The 'Cats' 12 tackles for loss versus Penn State were the most versus a conference opponent since at least 2000 and the 21 tackles for loss over the last two games are the most during the same span. The two-game stretch includes seven sacks (5 vs. Penn State; 2 vs. Maryland) for a loss of 50 yards.
RED ALERT: 'Cats ARE Comin'
Northwestern went a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone at Maryland to improve to 22-for-24 on the season. The 'Cats rank second in the Big Ten and 21st nationally, converting at a clip of 91.7 percent. In total, NU has scored 18 touchdowns (11 rushing/7 passing) and converted four field goals inside the 20-yard line.
NATE HALL, Y'ALL
Junior linebacker Nate Hall set a career high for a second-straight week with 11 tackles at Maryland. Hall matched his career-high for the second-straight week with eight solo stops as well and has now recorded double-digit tackles in back-to-back performances for the first time in his career. He also registered a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss versus the Terrapins, marking the most by a Wildcat since Anthony Walker, Jr., had 3.5 versus Illinois on Nov. 18, 2015. Hall leads the Wildcats with 7.5 tackles for loss this season and ranks fourth during Big Ten play with 5.5 tackles for loss through three games. He has made at least five tackles in all six games this season and 12 straight dating back to last year.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
First-year linebacker Paddy Fisher was forced to sit out the first half of last week's game at Maryland, but still ranks among the nation's rookie leaders in tackles. Fisher leads the Wildcats in tackles (47), solo tackles (28) and assisted tackles (19), ranking first among qualified FBS first-year players with 7.8 tackles per game and second in total tackles behind only Oregon State's David Morris (51). He enters Saturday's game versus Iowa sixth in the Big Ten with 7.8 tackles per contest.
THORSON'S TARGETS
Junior quarterback Clayton Thorson completed 27 of 49 passes for 293 yards and touchdown, while adding an 18-yard rushing touchdown in the 'Cats win at Maryland. Thorson recorded his third game with at least 290 yards passing this season after having two such games in his first two seasons (both in 2016). With 27 completions and 293 yards, Thorson moved past Trevor Siemian (5,931 yards/550 completions; 2011-14) for fourth in program history with 6,200 yards passing and 567 career completions. See below for more notes on Thorson:
• Thorson threw his 37th career touchdown pass and now needs just seven touchdown passes to tie the program record of 44 held by Brett Basanez (2002-05) and Len Williams (1990-93).
• His 18-yard rushing touchdown was his third of the season and 13th of his career, moving him within one of Mike Greenfield (14; 1984-87) for fourth in program history in career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
• Recorded his 20th career victory as a starting quarterback, moving within two of Brett Basanez's (2002-05) program record of 22.
• Ranks first in the Big Ten and 16th nationally with 22.83 completions per game, third in the Big Ten with 249.3 passing yards per game and fourth in the conference with 1,496 passing yards.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Thorson matched his season high by completing a pass to nine different receivers at Maryland. Below are notes on the receiving corps stellar performance.
• SB Cam Green: Recorded career highs in receptions (6), receiving yards (49) and long reception (17). Entered the game with nine career receptions for 58 yards.
• WR Macan Wilson: Hauled in a career-high five receptions for 74 yards, just three yards shy of his career high.
• WR Flynn Nagel: Made four catches for 48 yards with his first touchdown of the season and third of career. Has made at least three catches in all six games this season, nine straight dating back to 2016 and 14 times in his career.
• WR Charlie Fessler: Had a career-high two receptions and 38 yards, including a career-long 30-yard catch. Entered the game with just one reception for seven yards (Nebraska, 2015).
• WR Riley Lees: Matched a season-high with three receptions and finished the game with a season-high 120-all purpose yards.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
Northwestern exploded for 531 yards of total offense at Maryland (293 passing/238 rushing), marking its third 500-plus yard game of the season. It was the 22nd time since 2000 that the 'Cats have hit the 500-yard mark on offense and the 7th time versus a Big Ten opponent under Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald.
OFFENSIVE LINE REBOUNDS
After surrendering 12 sacks in back-to-back losses to No. 10 Wisconsin and No. 4 Penn State, the offensive line gave up just one sack and led the way to 531 yards of total offense in a 37-31 win at Maryland. Northwestern has given up just four sacks in its three wins this season, while giving up 16 in three losses.
#HOMEGROWN BACKFIELD LEADS THE WAY
Much of the Wildcats' success this season has fallen on the shoulders of the #HOMEGROWN backfield of senior running back Justin Jackson and junior quarterback Clayton Thorson. The Wildcats are averaging 572.3 yards of offense and 39 points per game in their three wins this season.
THORSON AMONG FINAL 20 FOR JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD
Junior Clayton Thorson was among 20 quarterbacks included on the remaining candidates list for the 2017 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award given annually to the country's top college quarterback. The Golden Arm Award is presented at the end of each season since 1987 to the nation's top college quarterback, based on his accomplishments both on and off the field. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. These strong leaders have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and worked hard for themselves and their teams during the season and beyond.
OFF THE EDGE
Sophomore defensive end Joe Gaziano recorded a sack in back-to-back games to start Big Ten play. Gaziano enters Saturday's game versus Iowa with 7.5 career sacks, seven of which have come in his first 11 career games versus Big Ten foes. The Scituate, Massachusetts, native is just 4.5 sacks shy of cracking Northwestern's top-10 list all time.
MR. SKY TEAM
Senior safety Godwin Igwebuike was held without a tackle for the first time in his career at Maryland after having to sit out the first half due to a targeting penalty assessed versus Penn State. Despite not having a tackle, Igwebuike still ranks among the nation's elite. See below for notes on the senior captain:
• Has finished with at least seven tackles in 16 of his last 19 games dating back to the start of the 2015 season.
• Ranks sixth among active FBS defensive backs with 187 career solo tackles.
• Igwebuike is tied with junior Montre Hartage for the most interceptions by an active Wildcat with six, just two shy of racking the NU top-10 list all time.
• Needs 47 tackles to move into the top 10 all time at Northwestern.
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