Oct. 24, 2009

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Post-Game Notes | Quotes | Skip Myslenski's Inside Look at Northwestern's Win

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern scored 26 unanswered points, capped by a Stefan Demos 19-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining as the Wildcats completed a school-record comeback to top Indiana 29-28 at Ryan Field. The homecoming victory moves NU to 5-3 on the year and 2-2 in Big Ten play.

NU had recorded 21-point comebacks against Minnesota in 2000 and 2007 (35-14 deficits in both games), but never one greater than 21 points.

Trailing Indiana (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten) 28-3 midway through the second quarter, Northwestern took control on both sides of the ball. Behind a 1-yard touchdown run from Mike Kafka and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Kafka to Zeke Markshausen, the Wildcats trimmed the Hoosier lead to 28-17 at halftime.

Still down by 11 midway through the third quarter, Ricky Weina blocked an Indiana punt, which was recovered by the Hoosiers in the end zone for a safety, pulling the 'Cats to within nine at 28-19.

Kafka then connected on a 51-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Brewer with 12:33 remaining in the game, with Brewer breaking a near-tackle at the 20-yard line to cut the Indiana advantage to two at 28-26. Northwestern then used a 13-play, 65-yard drive covering a span of 6:43 to set up Demos' game-winner.

Kafka completed 26 of 46 passes for 312 yards and the two touchdown passes while also rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown. Brewer caught eight passes, tying a career-best, for 135 yards and a touchdown, with Markshausen finishing with eight catches for 94 yards and a score. Markshausen entered the game having caught 32 passes in his first three Big Ten games.

On the ground, Scott Concannon had 16 carries for a career-high 73 yards, including 33 on the final Wildcat scoring drive.

Demos was perfect on the day, converting on both the 28- and 19-yard field goal attempts and all three extra points. For Demos, it was his second game-winning field goal of the season, as he also connected on a 49-yarder in the waning seconds to defeat Eastern Michigan on Sept. 12.

Early on, it was Indiana who took control of the game, using a 70-yard touchdown run by Darius Willis on the first play from scrimmage and a 93-yard kickoff return Ray Fisher to help build the 28-3 first half lead.

But following a rocky first quarter, Northwestern's defense was able to keep the Hoosiers in check. NU out-gained Indiana 436-152 over the final three quarters, including holding the Hoosiers scoreless in the second half.

Willis led all players on the ground, rushing for 103 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns. Ray Fisher finished with 136 return yards for Indiana, including the 93-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. Ben Chappell completed 15 of his 26 passes for 159 yards as well.

Northwestern now prepares for reigning Big Ten champion Penn State, who makes a Halloween-day appearance at Ryan Field next Saturday. Opening kick is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT.