Oct. 6, 2008

NU FB Game Notes (vs. Michigan State)

Monday Press Conference Video
Watch full Monday press conference archive
Fitzgerald opening statement
Fitzgerald on not playing a game last Saturday
Fitzgerald on his team's health following the bye week
Fitzgerald on depth of the offensive line
Fitzgerald on facing Michigan State
Smith and Phillips on the MSU running game

For Openers
• Following an open date this past weekend, Northwestern returns to action at 2:45 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 11, entertaining Michigan State in the Wildcats' Big Ten home opener at Ryan Field. ESPN2 is televising the game to a national cable audience. The Wildcats defeated Iowa 22-17 in their last outing on Sept. 27 in Iowa City, while Michigan State knocked off Iowa last Saturday, 16-13.

•The win at Iowa, the Wildcats' second-straight victory at Kinnick Stadium, extended NU's best start in 46 years. In 1962, Northwestern began the year 6-0 and was ranked No. 1 nationally for two consecutive weeks.

•Northwestern's five-game winning streak is its longest since putting together a seven-game victory string in 1996, Pat Fitzgerald's senior season.

• Northwestern, which is one of 15 unbeaten FBS programs, climbed into this week's USA Today Coaches' top-25 and Harris Interactive polls, landing at No. 22 and 23, respectively. It is the first top-25 ranking for NU since the 2005 season when the Wildcats were ranked as high as No. 21.

• Michigan State also landed in the top-25 this week after moving to 2-0 in the Big Ten with the three-point home victory over Iowa. The Spartans, who have won five in a row after a season-opening road loss at California, are 5-1 overall.

• MSU is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Javon Ringer, who is second in the nation in rushing average with a mark of 164.7 ypg. Ringer, who also averages 35.3 carries per game, has scored a nation's-best 12 touchdowns this season.

•Since NU and MSU renewed their series rivalry in 2005, the home team has suffered less-than-memorable defeats. In 2005, the Brett Basanez-led 'Cats posted a 35-point victory at Spartan Stadium for their biggest Big Ten road win in 62 years. The following year, MSU notched the biggest comeback in NCAA history, overcoming a 38-3 second-half deficit to win 41-38 at Ryan Field. Last year, the visiting Wildcats, behind a school-record 520 passing yards from C.J. Bachér, defeated MSU 48-41 in overtime.

• Through the first six weeks, NU ranks 13th in NCAA scoring defense (12.4 ppg), third in sacks (3.4 pg) and fifth in sacks allowed (0.4 pg).

•The Big Ten Network's GameDay crew is in Evanston this weekend. Brent Stover is anchoring the coverage and will be providing live reports both Friday night and Saturday from Evanston.

•Northwestern's 1948 team, which played in the 1949 Rose Bowl -- NU's first bowl team, is celebrating its 60th anniversary at this weekend's contest. Members of the team will be honored between the third and fourth quarters on Saturday.

• NU's players of the game against Iowa were: Brad Phillips (defense), Rasheed Ward (offense), Phil Brunner (special teams), John Gill (defensive big play) and C.J. Bachér (offensive big play).

Gameday Promotions/Info
•Plenty of good tickets remain for Saturday's game ($50 reserved/$35 end zone) and can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com.

•Saturday is Scout Day, with end zone seats priced at $18. (Advance purchase only)

The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) will carry the game live with its pregame show starting at 2 p.m. The radio broadcast can also be heard live via the internet at wgnradio.com. 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 -- ESPN2 is televising the game to a national cable audience. Pam Ward (play-by-play) and Ray Bentley (analyst) call the action. ESPN360.com is also carrying the game live via ESPN's signature broadband sports TV network.

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