Oct. 22, 2007

NU Football Game Notes (vs. Purdue)
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- After earning a 26-14 out-of-league victory over Eastern Michigan last weekend, Northwestern returns to Big Ten action this Saturday, traveling to West Lafayette, Ind., to face the Purdue Boilermakers. Kickoff is 11 a.m. CT. The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national audience.

The Wildcats are attempting to close out the month of October with a perfect record, having won their last three games--two of them away from Ryan Field. Northwestern's last loss came on Sept. 29, a 28-16 setback to Michigan. For the first three weeks of October, Northwestern is averaging 572 yards of total offense and 41.0 points per game. The last time the 'Cats went unbeaten for the month of October was 1996 when they won a share of the Big Ten title.

Leading the offense has been junior quarterback C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit), who has thrown for 1,351 yards and 10 touchdowns the last three weeks. He also has scored a pair of rushing TD's during this stretch. Bachér leads the Big Ten in passing yardage (324.8 ypg) and total offense (331.9 ypg), and ranks sixth nationally in both categories.

Purdue, led by quarterback Curtis Painter, the Big Ten's No. 2-leading passer, ended a two-game losing skid with a convincing 31-6 victory over Iowa on Saturday. The Boilermakers (6-2), who outgained Iowa 431 to 254 in total offense, became bowl-eligible with the win.

Purdue has scored 31 or more points and averaged 43.0 points in its six victories. In their two losses, 23-7 to Ohio State and 48-21 to Michigan, the Boilermakers totaled a combined 28 points. Purdue ranks 22nd nationally in scoring offense, averaging 35.8 ppg.

Painter, who ranks 37th nationally in pass efficiency rating (136.2) and 14th nationally in passing yardage (279.8 ypg), has tossed 57 of his 213 completions to senior wideout Dorien Bryant, who was named this week's Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Bryant, averaging 7.1 catches per game and 83.8 ypg, totaled nine receptions for 167 yards and a pair of TD's against Iowa.

Defensively, the Boilermakers are having a solid year, allowing just 376.9 yards per game (59th nationally) and 22.4 ppg (37th nationally). Linebacker Anthony Heygood leads the Boilers with 11 TFL's (36th nationally) and is third in team tackles with 46 hits. Terrell Vinson has a team-best three interceptions and is a team co-leader with 49 tackles.

The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) is carrying the game live. The radio broadcast also can be heard via the internet at wgnradio.com. The broadcast begins at 10:30 a.m. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Ted Albrecht (analyst) call the action. WNUR (89.3), NU's student radio station, also will carry the game live. The contest is also available on the XM Satellite Radio network. (Channels 196-199).

Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national audience. Mark Neely (play-by-play) Glen Mason (analyst) and Marshall Harris (sideline) call the action.

Kickoff Announced for Nov. 3 Game vs. Iowa
Northwestern's Nov. 3 home game vs. Iowa will kick off at 11 a.m. CT. Television will be announced at a late date.

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

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