Sept. 24, 2007

NU Football Game Notes (vs. Michigan)
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern returns to Ryan Field this Saturday, Sept. 29 to open Big Ten Conference home action against the Michigan Wolverines, the preseason Big Ten favorite. Kickoff is set for 11:07 a.m. CT. The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national audience.

A limited number of tickets are still available for this game. Tickets can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com.

The Wildcats started conference play last week at two-time defending champion Ohio State, and fell to the eighth-ranked Buckeyes, 58-7. The loss dropped the 'Cats' overall record to 2-2 on the season.

Michigan, which is playing its first road game of the season, has rebounded from its 0-2 start by posting solid wins over Notre Dame (38-0) and previously unbeaten Penn State (14-9) the past two weeks. In Saturday's win over the Nittany Lions, Michigan's ninth straight win vs. PSU, senior running back Mike Hart, the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year selection, rushed for 153 yards and a TD on a career-high 44 carries.

Hart is leading Michigan and the Big Ten in rushing yardage, averaging 163.8 yards per game. He also has scored a team-best six rushing TD's, which ranks second in the league.

Freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett, who has filled in for the injured Chad Henne the past two-plus games, completed 16-of-29 passes for 170 yards against Penn State. For the season, he has connected on 29-of-61 pass attempts for 309 yards, three TD's and two interceptions. Mario Manningham (19 rec. for 279 yards, 1 TD) and Adrian Arrington (18 rec. for 206 yards, 2 TD's) are Michigan's two favorite receivers.

Defensively, linebacker Shawn Crable is leading the Wolverines' defensive unit. He has a team-best 27 tackles and 9.0 TFL's, which is also tops among all Big Ten players. Safety Jamar Adams, who was named this week's co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his eight tackles and five pass deflections vs. Penn State, has 22 tackles on the season.

Northwestern, which has been without running back Tyrell Sutton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) the past 10-plus quarters, is being paced by quarterback C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit), who ranks fourth in the Big Ten in total offense (250.3 ypg). Senior running back Brandon Roberson (Pearland, Texas/Pearland), who has been given a majority of the carries in Sutton's absence, is NU's leading rusher with 259 yards (64.8 ypg, 5.2 ypc). Receiver Eric Peterman (Sherman, Ill./Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) has a team-best 16 receptions for 194 yards.

Senior linebacker Adam Kadela (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman) leads the NU defense with 39 tackles and 3 TFL's. Defensive end Kevin Mims (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) has 23 tackles and 5 TFL's.

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. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play), Chris Martin (analyst) and Dara McIntosh (sideline) call the action.

Kickoff Time Announced For Oct. 6 Game at Michigan State
Northwestern and Michigan State will kick off at 11 a.m. CT (noon ET) on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. The Big Ten Network is televising the game.

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