Nov. 16, 2009

NU Football Game Notes (vs. Wisconsin)

For Openers
• After winning its third game in four weeks, surging Northwestern wraps up the 2009 regular season at home against the 16th-ranked (BCS) Wisconsin Badgers. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national cable audience. This is the first meeting between the Badgers and Wildcats since the 2006 season.

• Northwestern claimed the inaugural Land of Lincoln Trophy by defeating Illinois 21-16 this past Saturday in Champaign. Aided by two lengthy second-half scoring drives (99 and 80 yards), the Wildcats built a 21-3 lead early in the fourth quarter. Illinois did not quit, however, and came roaring back with two straight touchdowns. With the ball on their own 30-yard line and the Illini facing a fourth-and-one, NU cornerback Sherrick McManis came up with a spectacular interception that locked up the Wildcat win.

• The victory over Illinois gave the Wildcats their seventh win of the year and assured them of a second successive winning season. NU also improved its postseason bowl possibilities, with the Champs Sports, Valero Alamo and Insight bowls becoming the leading candidates for the Wildcats' holiday destination.

• Against Illinois, quarterback Mike Kafka notched his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season, completing 23-of-37 passes for 305 yards, which included a 28-yard TD reception to leading receiver Zeke Markshausen. Kafka also ran for 12 yards, including a 1-yard TD, giving him 317 yards of total offense.

• Northwestern has won six of its last eight Big Ten road games, going 3-1 away from home in both 2008 and 2009. Under fourth-year coach Pat Fitzgerald, NU's Big Ten road record is now 8-8.

• Making its first visit to Ryan Field since Oct. 8, 2005, Wisconsin brings its Big Ten-leading rushing attack to Evanston this Saturday after improving to 8-2 last weekend with a convincing 45-24 win over Michigan. Wisconsin averages 208.0 yards per game on the ground, with sophomore running back John Clay leading the Big Ten with 112.4 ypg.

Senior Day
• NU is honoring 21 student-athletes, who are playing at Ryan Field for the final time. The seniors are: OL Mike Boyle, WR Andrew Brewer, WR Carl Fisher, WR Kevin Frymire, DT Adam Hahn, WR Mark Ison, LB/student coach Chris Jeske, QB Mike Kafka, WR Zeke Markshausen, OT Kurt Mattes, QB Joe Mauro, CB Sherrick McManis, WR Kevin Mitchell, SB Brendan Mitchell, S James Nussbaum, S Brad Phillips, S Brendan Smith, OL Desmond Taylor, DT Marshall Thomas, SB Mark Woodsum, DE Corey Wootton. Some of their class highlights (last five years) include:

• Totaled 33 wins in their career (last five years), most by any five-year class since the early 1900s.
• Been a part of four bowl-eligible teams (2005, '07, '08 and '09) -- first class to be associated with four bowl-eligible squads
• Posted a .500 or better record in four of their five seasons (7-5 in 2005, 6-6 in 2007, 9-4 in 2008 and 7-4 thus far in 2009)
• Defeated four nationally ranked teams (Wisconsin in '05, Michigan State in '05, Minnesota in '08, Iowa in '09)
• Posted three straight wins at Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, with the 2009 win coming over the nation's No. 4-ranked team (BCS). The last time NU defeated a team with a better record than Iowa's 9-0 mark was the 1949 Rose Bowl, when NU knocked off 10-0 California. First win over a top-5 team since knocking off No. 1 Miami (Fla.) in 1967.
• Posted an 11-9 record in Big Ten road games
• Defeated in-state rival Illinois four of five times, and claimed the inaugural Land of Lincoln Trophy in 2009

The Broadcasts
Radio -- Saturday's game will be broadcast on WGN 720 AM and wgnradio.com with the broadcast beginning at 2 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 151) and XM (channel 197) satellite radio.

Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national cable audience. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play), Chris Martin (analyst) and Charissa Thompson (sideline) are calling the game.

Gameday/Ticket Information
• 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.

• 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.

• Parking lots will open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

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

Tickets/Future Schedules

BOWL CENTRAL

The Team

2011 Ryan Field Fan Guide 

Coaches' Corner

Camps and Clinics

PERSASTRONG.com

Ryan Field

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