'Cats' Comeback Effort Falls Short at No. 8 Wisconsin

9/28/2019 2:52:00 PM | Football

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MADISON, WIS. – In a hard fought battle on the road against No. 8 Wisconsin, Northwestern could not cap off a valiant fourth quarter comeback in a 24-15 setback at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats' defense put together an impressive effort, limiting the Badger offense to 10 points on the game as well as 105 total yards in the second half.

Northwestern ultimately outgained Wisconsin in total yards, 255-243. Aidan Smith entered the game in the fourth quarter and totaled 99 passing yards, including a touchdown pass to JJ Jefferson. Drake Anderson finished with 69 rushing yards on 16 carries (4.3 average) and a touchdown.

Travis Whillock led the defense with 13 total tackles, 10 of which came in the first half. Cameron Ruiz and Blake Gallagher each added seven tackles of their own. NU also forced two takeaways as JR Pace pulled down an interception in the second quarter and Raymond Niro III recovered his first-career fumble in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Joe Gaziano forced his ninth-career fumble in the second half, putting him in second place on the all-time forced fumbles list since 2000 at Northwestern behind only Paddy Fisher (10).

After an early Badger touchdown, the Wildcats responded with a 10 play, 83-yard drive which culminated with a 29-yard field goal by Charlie Kuhbander. Anderson and Hunter Johnson both recorded their longest career runs during the scoring drive, as Anderson had a 31-yard rush followed by a 25-yard run from Johnson two plays later.

The Wildcats' defense was lights out in the first half, holding Wisconsin to just 84 total yards and no points following the Badgers' first drive of the game. Whillock registered 10 total tackles in the first half alone, including his second-career sack. Pace came up with an interception late in the first half, marking the seventh of his career, tied for the most among all active Big Ten players since 2017.

Two defensive touchdowns in the second half extended the Badgers' lead, but the 'Cats offense bounced back with a four-yard touchdown run by Anderson, his third-straight week finding the end zone.

Later in the fourth quarter, Smith notched his first-career touchdown pass on a 15-yard connection with Jefferson, his second receiving touchdown on the season, to cut the deficit to nine.

Chicago's Big Ten Team will be back in action next weekend as they travel to Nebraska for a showdown against the Cornhuskers. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.