Nov. 5, 2007

Northwestern Game Notes vs. Indiana in PDF Format

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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern enters Saturday's Senior Day game against Indiana still in the hunt for a 2007 postseason bowl game, needing one win to become "bowl eligible" and likely victories in its final two contests to guarantee a postseason berth.

Northwestern welcomes Indiana to Ryan Field for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff Saturday, Nov. 10, in the final home game of 2007. ESPN Classic is televising the game to a national audience.

The Wildcats and Hoosiers have not met since IU rotated off NU's schedule following the 2004 season, when Northwestern won a thrilling, double-overtime contest between the two teams, 31-24, at Ryan Field.

Northwestern is coming off a 28-17 loss to Iowa last Saturday at home. The Wildcats held a 17-14 lead going into the fourth quarter, but a pair of Hawkeye scores gave the visitors the come-from-behind victory.

Indiana stepped out of the Big Ten last week for an intrastate matchup against Ball State, defeating the Cardinals, 38-20. The Hoosiers, who earned bowl eligibilty with their sixth win of the season in the game, got a career-high 354 passing yards and four touchdown throws from Kellen Lewis, who now holds the IU single-season TD toss mark with 23.

Saturday's matchup features a pair of high-powered passing attacks, with Northwestern ranking 10th in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten with 309.4 yards through the air per game. Indiana brings the conference's third-ranked passing offense to Ryan Field, averaging 243.3 yards per contest.

Lewis enters this weekend ranked 13th in the nation and second in the conference in total offense with 300.6 yards per game, second only to Northwestern signal caller C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit) and his 308.8 yards per game of total offense. Lewis also leads the Hoosiers' ground attack with 58.7 rushing yards per game. Lewis' favorite target is wide receiver James Hardy, who ranks sixth in the Big Ten with 5.7 catches per game and third in the conference with 88.1 receiving yards per contest. Hardy tied the Indiana single-season touchdown reception record Saturday with a pair of scores to give him 13 on the year.

While Indiana's defense ranks ninth in the Big Ten giving up 391.6 yards per game, it is second in the conference with 3.8 sacks per contest. Sophomore defensive lineman Greg Middleton leads the Big Ten and is second in the nation with 13.5 sacks on the season. He also ranks 15th in the country and third in the conference with 1.45 tackles for loss per game. In the defensive backfield, Tracy Porter is third in the Big Ten with four interceptions this year.

For Northwestern's complete game notes package, click on the .pdf at the top of this page.

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 -- ESPN Classic is televising the game to a national audience. Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Jay Taylor (analyst) call the action.

Illinois game time
Game time for the November 17 tilt against Illinois will be announced next week. The game will be either an 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN or a 2:30 p.m. start on the Big Ten Network.

VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION!
Read the complete release here.

The Northwestern University Athletic Department is teaming up with Ben & Jerry's, WGN Radio and NU alum Stephen Colbert for a special Veterans Day event at the Wildcats' game November 10 against Indiana. A portion of the proceeds from the tickets sold will be donated to support our veterans.

WGN Radio has led the charge by donating tickets to the game to area veterans so they can take part in the activities, which will include a flyover before the game, a Veteran's Day ceremony, and chances to win prizes throughout the game.

During the halftime Veterans Day ceremony, Brigadier General Douglas Anson will be pinning the Bronze Star medal on Lieutenant Colonel Steven Bragorgos, an NU alum.

One lucky fan will be selected to win the grand prize of a trip for two to New York to meet Colbert for a taping of the Colbert Report on Comedy Central. Entries for the contest closed November 5, and the winner will be announced Saturday, Nov. 10.

The partnership with Colbert was sparked by the Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor, Americone Dream, which was inspired by Colbert. With a portion of the sales from Americone Dream donated to veterans, the Wildcats wanted to join these efforts as part of their Veterans Day celebration.

In addition to the gameday activities, members of the Wildcat Football Team will be visiting, and bringing Ben & Jerry's ice cream to, the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago on November 9.

To get the latest updates on what the Wildcats have planned for this Veterans Day event, please keep checking NUsports.com. If you would like to be a part of this event by donating tickets to veterans for the Wildcats' game on November 10, please contact us at 847.491.7504 or e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.

The Wildcats thank American Airlines, Ben & Jerry's, Pioneer Press, Stephen Colbert, U.S. Cellular and WGN Radio for their support.