Fast Start Propels ‘Cats Past Wisconsin, 24-10

Saturday, November 11

Madison, Wis.

2:30 p.m. CT

Northwestern

5-5 , 3-4

Wisconsin

5-5 , 3-4

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Northwestern	7	17	0	0	24
Wisconsin	3	0	0	7	10

Photo by: GRIFFIN QUINN/Northwestern Athletics

Fast Start Propels ‘Cats Past Wisconsin, 24-10

11/11/2023 5:53:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights Postgame Notes Photo Gallery

Northwestern picks up first at Camp Randall Stadium since 2015

MADISON, Wis. (November 11, 2023) - Northwestern scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions, highlighting a dominant showing in a 24-10 win over Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4 B1G) this afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.

Today's victory, Northwestern's first at Camp Randall Stadium since 2015, moves the Wildcats to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in Big Ten Conference play.

How 'Bout Them 'Cats ?? pic.twitter.com/hWZfQYKsXR
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 11, 2023

Making his return to the Northwestern lineup, Ben Bryant led the Wildcats' passing attack, finishing 18-of-26 for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant also accounted for a touchdown on the ground, finding the end zone from a yard out in the early stages of the second quarter.

Cam Porter turned in an impressive day on the ground, averaging four yards per carry en route to finishing with 72 yards, a tally that included a 17-yard scamper on the Wildcats' first scoring drive of the afternoon. Joseph Himon II also provided support, ripping off a 32-yard run to open a second-quarter drive that also saw Northwestern find the end zone.

A.J. Henning racked up a season-high 70 yards receiving, including a 27-yard touchdown reception that put the 'Cats on the board in the first quarter. Henning also pulled in a highlight reel catch for 41 yards in the second quarter, the longest reception of his collegiate career. Cam Johnson proved to be Bryant's most consistent target of the day, hauling in six receptions for 57 yards and his third touchdown of 2023.

Garnett Hollis, Jr. led Northwestern defensively, finishing his afternoon with five tackles, one of which came for loss, and a recovered fumble. Kenny Soares Jr. and Aidan Hubbard each added a tackle for loss and a sack.

Northwestern's fast start can be partially attributed to its third-down proficiency to begin play. The Wildcats converted each of their first 10 third-down chances en route to finishing play at a 64.7 percent clip on third down.

Gallery: (11-11-2023) Football at Wisconsin

How It Happened
After holding Wisconsin to a 33-yard Nathanial Vakos field goal on the opening drive of the game, Northwestern stepped on the gas and never looked back. Bryant piloted a 12-play, 79-yard march, capped off by a 23-yard touchdown pass to Henning that put the 'Cats on top, 7-3, with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Following a three-and-out by the Badger offense, the Wildcats went back on the attack, driving 68 yards across 10 plays, with a one-yard Bryant run into the end zone stretching the gap to 14-3 at the 12:54 mark of the second quarter.

The Wildcat defense continued its stout work, forcing another Wisconsin punt to set the stage for a nine-play, 90-yard drive that elapsed just 3:32. Bryant went over the top to connect with Johnson on a 24-yard pitch and catch that saw the lead balloon to 21-3 with 6:41 remaining. Jack Olsen tacked on a 28-yard field goal in the closing minutes of the first half to send Northwestern charging into halftime with a 24-3 lead.

Defense took center stage in the second half, as the 'Cats forced a pair of Badger turnovers. With Wisconsin facing 4^th-and-4 at the Wildcats' eight-yard line midway through the third quarter, Northwestern's defense stood tall, denying Tanner Mordecai's pass into the end zone to reclaim possession. Rod Heard II brought an end to another Wisconsin drive in the fourth quarter, jarring the ball loose from a rushing Mordecai that went on to be recovered by Hollis, Jr. with 10:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. Wisconsin would add a late touchdown in the closing seconds, but that proved to be the extent the hosts' comeback efforts as Northwestern climbed back to the .500 mark on the year.

Game Notes
» Northwestern scored a touchdown on each of its first three drives, the first time the Wildcats have done so since November 19, 2011 against Minnesota.
» The Wildcats converted their first 10 third-down attempts of the game, the first time they have done so since at least 2009.
» It is the first time any Big Ten team has converted its first 10 third-down attempts of a game since at least 2015.
» The Wildcats won the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin, marking the fourth straight game and fifth game this season they have won the turnover battle.
» Northwestern outgained Wisconsin by an impressive 294-145 margin in the first half.
» The 'Cats held Wisconsin to just 14 rushing yards across the opening 30 minutes.
» The Wildcats had two players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame, a duo led by Devin Turner, who finished with 10 stops.
» Mordecai led the Badgers passing attack, completing 31 of his 45 attempts for 255 yards.

Up Next
Northwestern returns to Ryan Field on Saturday, November 18 to host Purdue in the 2023 home finale. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. in a matchup that will be televised by Big Ten Network.

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