'Cats Post Strong Defensive Effort in Big Ten Championship

Saturday, December 19

Indianapolis, Ind.

11 a.m.

Northwestern

6-2 , 6-1

Ohio State

6-0 , 5-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Northwestern

Ohio St.

Photo by: Ryan Kuttler

'Cats Post Strong Defensive Effort in Big Ten Championship

12/19/2020 2:36:00 PM | Football

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.– The Northwestern Wildcats made their second appearance in the Big Ten Championship in the last three years against conference rival Ohio State, ultimately coming up short in a battle down in Indianapolis.

Northwestern led at the half and limited the Buckeyes to a season-low 22 points. The Wildcats' defense limited Heisman Trophy candidate and quarterback Justin Fields to a career-low 114 passing yards as a Buckeye.

The 'Cats now await a decision as to which Bowl Game they will make an appearance in. It will be NU's fifth Bowl Game in its last six seasons.

NU began the 10th title game in Big Ten history by continuing its season-long streak of holding its opponents to a field goal or less on its opening defensive possession. Defensive back AJ Hampton compiled a career-high six tackles on the Buckeyes' first drive, breaking his previous high of four in just over seven minutes of play.

The 'Cats answered Ohio State's field goal with a touchdown drive in just over two minutes. Reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week Cam Porter scored his fourth touchdown of the season, all of which have come in his last three games. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey broke free for a season-long 34-yard rush on a crucial third down inside OSU territory, setting up the score on the following play.

Following the Buckeyes' 16-play, 51-yard and nearly nine minute drive on their opening possession, Northwestern limited Ohio State to just 24 yards of offense and two and a half minutes with the football on its next two drives. NU continued to move the ball well against OSU's defense, extending its lead to seven after Charlie Kuhbander connected on a career-long 47-yard field goal with just under nine minutes to play in the first half.

Ohio State's six points in the first half was its lowest this season and the first time the Buckeyes failed to score a touchdown during the initial two frames of a game in over two years. During OSU's final drive of the first half, defensive back Brandon Joseph snatched his nation-leading sixth interception of the season in the end zone, extending back for a one-handed catch which denied the Buckeyes a chance for points. The College Station, Texas native has the most interceptions in a season by a Wildcat in nearly 30 years since Willie Lindsay recorded seven in 1991.

The Wildcats opened the second half marching down the field, going 66 yards in just under four minutes of play but failed to convert after Ramsey threw an interception in the end zone. NU immediately responded by picking off Fields for the second time. It was just the second time in Fields' career that he threw multiple interceptions against a Big Ten opponent. NU's defense continued to hold the fort during the halfway point of the third quarter, as it kept OSU off the board again following a 65-yard rush from Ohio State running back Trey Sermon that put the Buckeyes into Wildcat territory. Defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore recorded a key pass breakup on third down, denying Ohio State a chance to convert which led to a missed field goal. Defensive Coordinator Mike Hankwitz's crew made another stand following an NU fumble, preventing the Buckeyes from finding the end zone again and keeping the score within a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Ohio State extended its lead to 12 late in the fourth quarter as Sermon scored for the second time. The Buckeyes prevailed with that 12-point margin of victory.