Sept. 6, 2010

Northwestern (1-0) vs. Illinois State (1-0)
11 a.m. CT • Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
Ryan Field (47,130) • Evanston, Ill.
Television: Big Ten Network (BTN)
Gametracker: NUsports.com
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
Next Home Game: vs. Central Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 25 • 11 a.m. CT
Ticket Information: Season tickets, as well as single-game tickets remain on sale for all NU home games (you must be a season ticketholder to purchase tickets for the Nov. 20 game at Wrigley Field); tickets can be purchased on NUsports.com or by calling 847-491-2287 (CATS).

NU Football Game Notes (vs. Illinois State)

For Openers
• Northwestern makes its Ryan Field debut this Saturday, Sept. 11, taking on in-state Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) foe Illinois State University. The Redbirds, who opened the season with a wild 55-54 win over Central Missouri State, compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m.

• Last Saturday at Vanderbilt, Northwestern won its fifth consecutive season opener under current head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and its sixth straight opener overall. Behind the stellar player of quarterback Dan Persa, the Wildcats prevailed 23-21 against their academic rival from the SEC. Northwestern also continued its regular-season road magic, winning away from home for the eighth time in its last 11 road outings.

• Illinois State is the sixth FCS (formerly known as Division I-AA) opponent to visit Evanston, and the second from the Missouri Valley Conference. In 2008, Northwestern hosted FCS power Southern Illinois. The Wildcats have won their last three games against FCS foes by a combined score of 107-21.

• The Redbirds won their season opener last Thursday (Sept. 2) by outlasting Central Missouri State 55-54 in Normal. The shootout featured a combined 1,114 yards of total offense, which included 547 passing yards by Central Missouri. Illinois State totaled 509 yards of offense (187 rushing, 322 passing) as it built a 20-point first half lead before needing a fourth-quarter rally to win the game. Trailing 54-47 with less than five minutes to go, the Redbirds marched 78 yards in six plays and pulled to within one on a 26-yard TD reception with 2:22 left. Then, following an offsides call against Central Missouri, the Redbirds went for two and converted the PAT for the win.

• Despite losing its top two wideouts from a year ago, Northwestern's receiving corps picked up where it left off last year and played a solid game. Led by junior Jeremy Ebert, the Wildcats had seven different players catch passes, with all seven catching two or more. Ebert, who finished with a game- and career-high 99 receiving yards, had five catches and one of NU's three TD grabs.

The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN Radio (720 AM, wgnradio.com) will carry the game live with the pregame show starting at 10:30 a.m. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Ted Albrecht (analyst) call the action. WNUR (89.3), NU's student station, also will carry the game. The game also will be available on satellite radio: Sirius (Ch. 90), XM (Ch. 196).
Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national cable audience. Tom Werme (play-by-play), Rod Woodson (analyst) and Brittney Payton (sideline) will call the action.

Ticket Info
• Season tickets for the 2010 Northwestern football season are still available. Ticket information can be found on NUsports.com or by calling NU's ticket office at 847-491-2287 (CATS). In addition to season tickets, NU is also selling its three-pack plans and single-game tickets.

• Tickets for the Sept. 11 home opener against Illinois State (Heroes' Day, Band Day, Boy and Girl Scout Day, 3.0 Day, 11 a.m. kickoff) are on sale, with prices at $35 (reserved seats), $25 (end zone), $30 (corner adult reserved) and $15 (corner youth reserved.) All armed services members, public safety officials and their families receive free admission when they present a valid ID at the Gate J ticket booth. This offer is valid day of game only.

(For a complete set of game notes, download the PDF above.)

••••••

Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter and become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook! Get the latest news, schedule updates, video and interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!

Tickets/Future Schedules

BOWL CENTRAL

The Team

2011 Ryan Field Fan Guide 

Coaches' Corner

Camps and Clinics

Ryan Field

Multimedia