Saturday, November 5
Ryan Field
11 a.m.
Northwestern
4-5 , 3-3
7
vs
21
Wisconsin
7-2 , 4-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Wisconsin
0
10
3
8
21
Northwestern
0
7
0
0
7
Northwestern Falls to No. 8 Wisconsin, 21-7
11/5/2016 2:13:00 PM | Football
STORIFY SOCIAL MEDIA RECAP
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's Austin Carr caught his 10th touchdown of the season late in the first half Saturday against No. 8 Wisconsin at Ryan Field -- part of yet another career day for the senior receiver -- but the Badgers stymied the Wildcats' offense in the second half to pull away for 21-7 victory.
Northwestern tallied the most passing yards by a Wisconsin opponent this season with 277, led by four Wildcats with at least 30 yards receiving. Carr was the star, snaring a career-best 12 throws from sophomore Clayton Thorson for 132 yards, giving him 1,010 receiving yards on the year.
Defensively, juniors Brett Walsh and Tyler Lancaster each had career highs of eight tackles, while classmate Godwin Igwebuike had a game-high 10.
Northwestern now is 4-5 overall (3-3 B1G) while Wisconsin improves to 7-2 (4-2 B1G).
BUY TICKETS TO NORTHWESTERN'S FINAL HOME GAME NOVEMBER 26 AGAINST ILLINOIS GAME HERE!
Two of the best scoring defenses in the Big Ten showed their mettle in the first quarter, allowing just nine first downs in the quarter. Despite Wisconsin possessing the ball for 10 minutes in the first, the Wildcats held the Badgers scoreless with just 98 yards of offense.
Both offenses began to find gaps in the second quarter, and Wisconsin was the first on the scoreboard after hitting a 40-yard field goal four minutes into the period. The Badgers added a rushing touchdown on their next drive to mount a 10-0 lead midway through the second.
The Wildcats clawed back with their final drive of the half. Starting on their own 22 with 1:41 left on the clock, Justin Jackson ripped off a 28-yard carry to get to midfield. On an ensuing fourth-and-one, Garret Dickerson broke a tackle for a 28-yard gain, reaching the 13-yard line. Thorson then split the seam to find Carr to head into the half 10-7. The touchdown was Carr's 10th of the season, the third-highest mark in program history.
Fresh off the halftime break, the stalwart defenses returned to dominate the third quarter. Both offenses combined for just six first downs, 138 total yards, and a solitary drive of more than seven plays. Walsh and Igwebuike led the #B1GCats with three tackles in the period, holding the Badgers to a lone field goal.
With Northwestern trailing 13-7, Carr again had a strong finish to a quarter. Carr caught a short pass over the middle before scampering down the sideline to the Wisconsin 30. The 32-yard reception clinched the receiver's fourth consecutive -- and seventh total -- 100-yard receiving game this season. An eight-yard completion to Andrew Scanlan had the Wildcats driving as the third came to a close. But in the fourth, Thorson was hit as he began to throw and the ensuing loose ball was ruled a fumble. The Badgers recovered to end the scoring threat.
Wisconsin was able to find the end zone off of the short field and converted a two-point conversion to take a 21-7 lead with eight minutes to play. While Northwestern held Wisconsin to just 33-yards in the quarter, the offense couldn't capitalize on their five first downs in the period, as they fell by that 21-7 score.
Northwestern now hits the road for two Big Ten road games beginning Saturday, Nov. 12 at Purdue. The Wildcats final home game is Nov. 26 against Illinois. BUY TICKETS TO THE ILLINOIS GAME HERE!
••••••
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Team Stats
WIS
NU
Total Yards
333
316
Pass Yards
143
277
Rushing Yards
190
39
Penalty Yards
10
28
1st Downs
20
14
3rd Downs
7
5
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
40:25
19:35
2nd Quarter
WIS 3, NU 0
WIS - Endicott, A. 40 yd field goal 7 plays, 34 yards, TOP 3:13
WIS 10, NU 0
WIS - Peavy, Jazz 46 yd run (Endicott, A. kick), 5 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:25
WIS 10, NU 7
NU - Carr, Austin 13 yd pass from Thorson, C. (Mitchell, Jack kick) 8 plays, 87 yards, TOP 1:02
3rd Quarter
WIS 13, NU 7
WIS - Endicott, A. 28 yd field goal 7 plays, 22 yards, TOP 3:14
4th Quarter
WIS 21, NU 7
WIS - Clement, Corey 2 yd run (Ingold, Alec rush), 9 plays, 45 yards, TOP 4:32
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
28
TD
1
YDS
277
INT
0
Players Mentioned
WR
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S
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RB
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DL
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WR
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LB
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