Northwestern University Athletics
#23 Northwestern 19, Duke 10 • Postgame Notes
NORTHWESTERN POSTGAME NOTES
#23 Northwestern at Duke • September 19, 2015
Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, N.C.
Attendance: 24,127
Northwestern Team Notes
• The Wildcats are 9-0 vs. academic comparables (Vandy, BC, Duke, Stanford, Rice & ND) since 2008.
• Today's win was the Wildcats seventh non-conference victory versus a Power 5 opponent since 2012. Most by any Power 5 team.
• The Wildcats are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since starting 4-0 in 2013 and the fifth time under head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
• Northwestern defeated Duke in the 17th meeting between the two teams to take a 9-8 advantage in the all time series
• The Northwestern defense allowed its first touchdown of the season in the 1st quarter Saturday, but held Duke without a touchdown in the final three quarters. The Wildcats have not allowed a touchdown in 11 of 12 quarters this season.
• Duke entered Saturday’s contest ranked eighth in the country in total offense (592.5) and 18th in scoring offense (46.0 points/gm). The Wildcats held The Blue Devils to just 10 points and 327 yards of total offense.
With the victory, head coach Pat Fitzgerald improved to…
• 28-10 record in September games, 13-1 dating to 2012, and 19-2 since 2010.
• Fitzgerald is 32-7 (.821) in nonconference games.
• The Northwestern defense held Duke to just 3-for-17 on third down Saturday, forcing the Blue Devils to punt 11 times. Opponents have gone just 6-for-43 (14 percent) on third down against the ‘Cats in the first three games.
Northwestern Individual Notes
• LB Anthony Walker set a new career high with 19 tackles. Walker had 14 tackles in the first half alone and also finished with 1.5 tackles for loss.
• LB Drew Smith also set a new career high with nine tackles.
• DE Dean Lowry recorded his third career interception in the second quarter. Lowry also had a pass break up in the game, increasing his career total to 14.
• K Jack Mitchell went 2-for-2 with field goals of 37 and 44 yards. Mitchell is now 7-for-8 on the season and has converted each of his last six attempts.
• RB Warren Long scored his second career touchdown, and second in as many weeks, with a career-long 55-yard run in the fourth quarter. Long finished with two carries for 59 yards and a touchdown.
• RB Solomon Vault opened the second half with a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown. It marked the second kick return for a touchdown of his career and was the Wildcats’ first since his 89-yard return versus Illinois last season.
• RB Justin Jackson carried the ball career-high 35 times for 120 yards, marking his fifth 100-yard effort in the last six games and eighth of his career. Jackson has led the ‘Cats in rushing in each of his first 15 career games.
• P Hunter Niswander’s 49-yard punt in the first quarter was a career long.
• DB Keith Watkins II matched a career high with four tackles and forced his first career fumble.
#23 Northwestern at Duke • September 19, 2015
Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, N.C.
Attendance: 24,127
Northwestern Team Notes
• The Wildcats are 9-0 vs. academic comparables (Vandy, BC, Duke, Stanford, Rice & ND) since 2008.
• Today's win was the Wildcats seventh non-conference victory versus a Power 5 opponent since 2012. Most by any Power 5 team.
• The Wildcats are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since starting 4-0 in 2013 and the fifth time under head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
• Northwestern defeated Duke in the 17th meeting between the two teams to take a 9-8 advantage in the all time series
• The Northwestern defense allowed its first touchdown of the season in the 1st quarter Saturday, but held Duke without a touchdown in the final three quarters. The Wildcats have not allowed a touchdown in 11 of 12 quarters this season.
• Duke entered Saturday’s contest ranked eighth in the country in total offense (592.5) and 18th in scoring offense (46.0 points/gm). The Wildcats held The Blue Devils to just 10 points and 327 yards of total offense.
With the victory, head coach Pat Fitzgerald improved to…
• 28-10 record in September games, 13-1 dating to 2012, and 19-2 since 2010.
• Fitzgerald is 32-7 (.821) in nonconference games.
• The Northwestern defense held Duke to just 3-for-17 on third down Saturday, forcing the Blue Devils to punt 11 times. Opponents have gone just 6-for-43 (14 percent) on third down against the ‘Cats in the first three games.
Northwestern Individual Notes
• LB Anthony Walker set a new career high with 19 tackles. Walker had 14 tackles in the first half alone and also finished with 1.5 tackles for loss.
• LB Drew Smith also set a new career high with nine tackles.
• DE Dean Lowry recorded his third career interception in the second quarter. Lowry also had a pass break up in the game, increasing his career total to 14.
• K Jack Mitchell went 2-for-2 with field goals of 37 and 44 yards. Mitchell is now 7-for-8 on the season and has converted each of his last six attempts.
• RB Warren Long scored his second career touchdown, and second in as many weeks, with a career-long 55-yard run in the fourth quarter. Long finished with two carries for 59 yards and a touchdown.
• RB Solomon Vault opened the second half with a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown. It marked the second kick return for a touchdown of his career and was the Wildcats’ first since his 89-yard return versus Illinois last season.
• RB Justin Jackson carried the ball career-high 35 times for 120 yards, marking his fifth 100-yard effort in the last six games and eighth of his career. Jackson has led the ‘Cats in rushing in each of his first 15 career games.
• P Hunter Niswander’s 49-yard punt in the first quarter was a career long.
• DB Keith Watkins II matched a career high with four tackles and forced his first career fumble.
