Saturday, September 23
Evanston, Ill.
6:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Minnesota
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler / NUSports.com
Gameday Central: 'Cats Welcome Back Students With Night Game vs. Minnesota
9/22/2023 12:45:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern (1-2, 0-1 B1G) opens a season-long three-game homestand under the lights at Ryan Field with a battle against Minnesota (2-1, 1-0 B1G) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. CT. It is the 'Cats Big Ten home-opener and the first game at Ryan Field since Northwestern students returned to campus for the school year.
How to Follow
Watch on Big Ten Network: Action will be televised on BTN, with Lisa Byington (play-by-play) and Anthony Herron (analyst) in the booth, joined by Elise Menaker on the sideline.
Direct Link to Watch Online (Sign-In with TV Provider)
Listen on AM 720 WGN: The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, returns for his 34th season calling Northwestern Football. Eanet will be joined on the call by 30th-year analyst Ted Albrecht, along with Lauren Withrow on the sideline.
Direct Link to Listen Online
Follow In-Game Updates (NUFBFamily): Stay tuned to Northwestern Football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos and reactions surrounding Sunday's game.
Digital Program: Can't wait for Saturday's game? Catch up on all the latest with the Wildcats prior to kickoff with this week's gameday program!
View the Week 4 Digital Program HERE
Promotions
Wildcat Dash - All incoming first-years will partake in the Wildcat Dash tradition by running across the field to the student section as they enter Ryan Field for the first time as Northwestern students.
2023 Northwestern Football Promotions Schedule
Five Things to Know
How to Follow
Watch on Big Ten Network: Action will be televised on BTN, with Lisa Byington (play-by-play) and Anthony Herron (analyst) in the booth, joined by Elise Menaker on the sideline.
Direct Link to Watch Online (Sign-In with TV Provider)
Listen on AM 720 WGN: The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, returns for his 34th season calling Northwestern Football. Eanet will be joined on the call by 30th-year analyst Ted Albrecht, along with Lauren Withrow on the sideline.
Direct Link to Listen Online
Follow In-Game Updates (NUFBFamily): Stay tuned to Northwestern Football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos and reactions surrounding Sunday's game.
Digital Program: Can't wait for Saturday's game? Catch up on all the latest with the Wildcats prior to kickoff with this week's gameday program!
View the Week 4 Digital Program HERE
Promotions
Wildcat Dash - All incoming first-years will partake in the Wildcat Dash tradition by running across the field to the student section as they enter Ryan Field for the first time as Northwestern students.
2023 Northwestern Football Promotions Schedule
Five Things to Know
- Bryce Gallagher has been a tackling machine in 2023, recording 37 total tackles in only three games, which leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth nationally. Last week against Duke, Gallagher registered 13 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He is the first Northwestern defender with 37+ tackles across the first three games since Kevin Bentley (4th round NFL Draft Pick by Cleveland in 2002) posted 38 tackles in 1999. Gallagher is one of only six Big Ten defenders since 2000 to post 37 or more tackles in the season's first three games.
Leading the conference in tackles:
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 22, 2023
The one and only @brycegallagher3 pic.twitter.com/dwusUZ0kkn - With the 'Cats 38-7 win over UTEP in Week 2, David Braun became the first Northwestern head coach to win his Ryan Field debut since John Pont in 1973 (14-10 vs. Michigan State). A victory against Minnesota would make Braun the first NU coach to win his first two home games since Dick Hanley's Wildcats defeated South Dakota and Utah to open the home schedule in 1927.
- DL Anto Saka recorded sacks in back-to-back games, recording solo sacks against UTEP and Duke, the first sack the Blue Devils allowed all season. He ranks fifth in the Big Ten averaging 0.67 sacks per game. The sophomore from Phoenix, Md. is the first Northwestern sophomore to record 2.0 sacks in the first three games since Adetomiwa Adebawore in 2020.
- Northwestern committed just one penalty last week against Duke. The Wildcats lead the Big Ten and rank third in FBS in fewest penalties per game (2.67). Since 2013, the 'Cats have finished top-40 in the nation in penalties per game every year, including back-to-back top-15 finishes the last two seasons. In 2018, during the Wildcats run to the Big Ten Championship, NU led the nation in both penalties per game and penalty yards per game.
- Saturday's clash marks the 98th meeting between Minnesota and Northwestern since their first matchup in 1892, with the Golden Gophers leading the all-time series 56-36-5. This year's meeting is the earliest in series history, surpassing the Sep. 25th matchup in 2004. Since 2000, the 'Cats are 10-3 when scoring 20+ points against Minnesota. The two programs have split their last 10 meetings at Ryan Field.
Players Mentioned
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