'Cats, Badgers Set for Top-20 Showdown at Ryan Field

NORTHWESTERN FOOTBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION
DATE	Opponent	TIME	LOCATION	Live Stats	TELEVISION	RADIO
Saturday, Nov. 21	Wisconsin	2:30 p.m. CT	Ryan Field	Stats	ABC	AM-720 WGN Radio
2020 VIRTUAL PRESS BOX

Evanston, Ill.- The No. 19/20 Northwestern Wildcats are set to welcome the No. 10/12 Wisconsin Badgers to Ryan Field Saturday, in a matchup that will play a critical role in determining the winner of the Big Ten West division. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC and WGN 720.

Winners of their first four games for the first time since 2015, the 'Cats have also won their initial four contests against Big Ten foes for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century (1996). NU went on to win its first five games in the conference in 1996, finishing at a 9-3 record overall and playing against Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.

The Badgers have represented the Big Ten West in the conference championship game in four of the last six seasons but have struggled against the 'Cats when they travel to Evanston. NU has won two of the last three meetings between the two programs at Ryan Field, most recently a 31-17 victory in 2018 highlighted by Wildcat running back Isaiah Bowser's 34-carry, 117-yard and one touchdown performance.

Despite playing just two games this season because of a COVID-19 outbreak within their program, the Badgers have outscored their opponents 94-18. Wisconsin is scheduled to play six games this season, with its contests against Nebraska and Purdue canceled.

STORYLINES:

Lights Out: Northwestern's 14.0 points against this season is the least it has allowed through its first four Big Ten games in 25 years (1995). Its defense limited Purdue to just two rushing yards, the fewest allowed by a Wildcat defense since it held Wisconsin to -26 yards on Nov. 21, 2015.

You Get One and You Get One and You Get One!: Eight different receivers recorded a reception for the Wildcats in their victory over Purdue, most notably Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, who snatched a new career-high in receptions (8) and posted his first-career multi-touchdown game (3). He became the first NU receiver to haul in multiple receiving touchdowns since Flynn Nagel did so against Nebraska in 2018.

Ice in Their Veins: The 27-20 victory over Purdue last week marked the 48th one-possession win for the Wildcats in the Pat Fitzgerald era (2006-present), which is tied for the most in the FBS with Navy in that span. Three of Northwestern's four victories this season have come within one possession.

Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern University Athletics

'Cats, Badgers Set for Top-20 Showdown at Ryan Field

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Isaiah Bowser

Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman

Flynn Nagel

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