Oct. 26, 2009

NU Football Game Notes (vs. Penn State)

For Openers
• After notching its biggest comeback win in school history last weekend, Northwestern is back at Ryan Field this Saturday, Oct. 31, entertaining 12th-ranked (BCS) Penn State. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT. ESPN is televising the game to a national audience.

• The Wildcats pulled out a thrilling 29-28 homecoming victory over Indiana last Saturday after trailing 28-3 midway through the second quarter. A 19-yard field goal from place-kicker Stefan Demos with 21 seconds remaining capped the comeback, which eclipsed 21-point comebacks vs. Minnesota (in both 2000 and 2007) -- the previous top turnarounds in school history. Senior quarterback Mike Kafka helped engineer the comeback, totaling 377 yards of total offense. He threw a pair of TD passes and ran for another as he played a role in all three Wildcat touchdowns.

• Northwestern's most challenging stretch of the 2009 season begins this Saturday with nationally ranked Penn State. The Wildcats then face a top-10 team in Iowa the following Saturday (Nov. 7) before closing the year with a road test at Illinois and a home game with previously ranked Wisconsin. The combined record of NU's final four foes is 21-9.

• Stefan Demos was named the Big Ten's Special Teams Player of the Week Sunday night. It was his second Big Ten weekly honor this season and third of his career. Demos, who ranks among the nation's leaders in FG percentage, converted kicks of 28 and 19 yards in the game, with the 19-yarder being the game-winner.

• Penn State (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten), the defending Big Ten co-champion and the league's 2008 BCS automatic qualifier, leads the conference in 10 of its 17 major statistical categories: total offense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, total defense, scoring defense, pass defense, passing efficiency, sacks, tackles for loss and fewest sacks allowed. Penn State, which also leads the nation in scoring defense, has surrendered just one first-half touchdown this season, that coming in its last game at Michigan.

• Led by quarterback Daryll Clark, the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, PSU rolled to a 35-10 victory at Michigan last Saturday. Clark threw four TD passes, three of them to Graham Zug, and completed 16-of-27 passes for 230 yards. Clark leads all Big Ten quarterbacks in passing efficiency.

Gameday Promotions/Ticket Info
• Tickets for Saturday's game ($50 reserved/$35 end zone/$40 corner adult & $20 corner youth -- advanced purchase only for the corner youth seats) can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com. Tickets can be purchased online through Saturday.

• Saturday is Purplepalooza at Ryan Field. The event, which is being dubbed the "Biggest Halloween Party of the Year," begins at 1:30 p.m. with trick or treating in Wildcat Alley with NU student-athletes. Fans, who are being asked to wear purple, will be treated to a fireworks show immediately at the game's conclusion. A limited number of half-priced tickets are available through Wednesday, Oct. 28, for Chicagoland fans. To receive the discounted tickets, fans can use the promo code NUSEL on NUsports.com. Cash prizes (provided by Harris Bank) for the best purple costumes (no oversized costumes or toy weapons of any kind) also will be distributed.

• Northwestern's Department of Athletics is urging all fans attending Saturday's game to use caution when leaving the stadium as there may some children trick-or-treating in the surrounding neighborhoods. Trick-or-treating ends at 7 p.m. in Evanston and 8 p.m. in Wilmette.

• Prior to each home game, Wildcat fans are encouraged to take part in "Walk with Us." When the Wildcats arrive about two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff, fans, along with the NU Marching Band, line Walker Way to help welcome the Wildcats to Ryan Field.

The Broadcasts
Radio -- Saturday's game will be broadcast on WGN 720 AM and wgnradio.com with the broadcast beginning at 3 p.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. The game can also be heard on Sirius (channel 125) and XM (channel 196) satellite radio.

Television -- ESPN is televising the game nationally. Carter Blackburn (play-by-play) and Chris Spielman (analyst) will call the game.

Kickoff Time Announced for Nov. 7 Game at Iowa
The Big Ten Conference announced on Monday that Northwestern's Nov. 7 game at Iowa will kick off at 11 a.m. CT. ESPN will televise the contest.

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

Tickets/Future Schedules

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