Northwestern vs. Iowa Football 2009
Wildcats Try to Foil Iowa's Perfect Season
The No. 8-ranked Hawkeyes will try to improve to 10-0 on Saturday, Nov. 7, when they take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten Conference football game at Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa is 9-0 of the first time in school history and has won 13 consecutive games dating back to last season. But the road to success has been full of twists and turns.
Last weekend, they trailed Indiana 24-14 entering the final quarter, but erupted for 28 points in the final period. The 42-24 victory, which moved Iowa to 5-0 in the Big Ten, was actually Iowa's second most lopsided of the season.
Only two of the Hawkeyes' victories have come by more than 11 points, and four were by three points or less. But they're in great shape, holdiing the No. 4 spot in the Bowl Championship Series standings.
While Iowa was avoiding an upset last weekend, Northwestern was trying to spring one. The Wildcats (5-4 overall, 2-3) were tied 13-13 entering the final quarter vs. No. 11 Penn State. But QB MIke Kafka left the game with a hamstring injury, and the Nittany Lions broke away to a 34-13 triumph.
Iowa will be playing host to Northwestern for the second consecutive season, but that might not be good news. The visiting team has won each of the last three games between the teams. Northwestern prevailed 22-17 last season in Iowa City.
ESPN will telecast Saturday's game, which is scheduled for Noon EST. The matchup will be the 71st between the teams. Iowa leads the series 46-21-3.
QB Kafka Leads Northwestern in Passing, Rushing
Northwestern's chances won't look good if Kafka's not back behind center. One of the Big Ten's best QBs, Kafka has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,195 yards and nine TDs, and he leads the Wildcats in rushing with 248 yards and six touchdowns.
But the senior's had some rough spots, being sacked 20 times in addition to throwing seven interceptions. The Wildcats have given up a total of 24 sacks, second most in the Big Ten.
If Kafka can't go, sophomore Dan Persa will take the reins. Persa is 15-for-25 passing for 187 yards and one TD, and has run seven times for 27 yards.
Wildcats Use Variety of Running Backs
Coach Pat Fitzgerald's Wildcats average 25.7 points and 390.2 yards per game. They've tried in vain to energize their running attack, but it's averaging 121.9 yards on just 3.1 yards per carry.
Sophomore Scott Concannon (136 yards, 2 TDs) tops the depth chart, but Arby Fields (210 yards, 4 TDs) is the team's leading rusher. Stephen Simmons (194 yards, 2 TDs in 5 games) is the only Wildcat back averaging more than four yards per carry.
Northwestern has had more luck finding a go-to guy at wide receiver. Zeke Markshausen has 69 receptions for 613 yards and two TDs, ranking ninth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 7.44 catches per game.
Andrew Brewer (37 receptions, 584 yards, 5 TDs) and tight end Drake Dunsmore (31 catches, 325 yards) are also frequent targets for Kafka.
Linebacker Davie Powers Northwestern Defense
Northwestern's defense has been OK, but not spectacular while giving up 24.8 points and 349.1 yards per game. A bright spot has been outside linebacker Quentin Davie, who leads the team with 66 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. He's also forced three fumbles.
The Wildcats have applied a solid pass rush, recording 21 sacks — four by Davie and three by defensive end Vince Brown.
Middle linebacker Nate Williams is second on the team in tackles with 61, and safety Brad Phillips has 56 tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks and an interceptions.
Other leaders include cornerback Jordan Mabin (48 tackles), safety Brian Peters (44 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (3 interceptions).
Wild Ride Continues for Iowa Offense
Coach Kirk Ferentz's Hawkeyes are undefeated despite an offense that's managed only 25.7 points and 357.4 yards per game. Iowa has allowed 20 sacks and quarterback Ricky Stanzi has thrown 13 interceptions.
But Stanzi and the Hawkeyes know how to deliver under pressure, which they proved again last week vs. Indiana. Stanzi fired five interceptions — including four in the third quarter — but he unleashed two long fourth quarter TD passes to spark the comeback.
Stanzi has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 2,052 yards and 14 TDs. His top receivers are Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (25 catches, 490 yards, 2 TDs), tight end Tony Moeaki (23 receptions, 274 yards, 4 TDs), Marvin McNutt (21 receptions, 456 yards 4 TDs) and Trey Stross (22 catches, 323 yards).
Leading rusher Adam Robinson (629 yards, 5 TDs) is down with an ankle injury, so the load is being carried by Brandon Wegher (469 yards, 6 TDs). Wegher scored two fourth-quarter TDs vs. Indiana.
Iowa Leads Nation in Interceptions
Iowa leads the FBS with 18 interceptions and his fourth in turnovers forced with 25. That's largely because of safety Tyler Sash, who is fourth in the FBS with six picks. He returned one 86 yards for a TD last week.
The sophomore is third on the team with 64 tackles, and he's also broken up five passes, recovered two fumbles and made 5.5 tackles for loss.
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn, meanwhile, has recorded 11 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks. Also applying heavy pressure up front are Karl Klug (10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) and Broderick Binns (6 sacks).
Linebacker Pat Angerer paces Iowa with 89 tackles, and linebacker Jeremiha Hunter is second with 70. Safety Brett Greenwood and linebacker A.J. Edds have three interceptions apiece.
Iowa is yielding only 15.8 points and 297.6 yards per game.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles