Saturday, September 30
Madison, Wis.
11 a.m.
Northwestern
2-2 , 0-1
24
at
33
Wisconsin
4-0 , 1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Northwestern
3
7
0
14
24
Wisconsin
7
0
14
12
33
Northwestern's Late Rally Falls Short at No. 10 Wisconsin
9/30/2017 2:30:00 PM | Football
By Zach Wingrove
MADISON, Wis. – Northwestern battled No. 10 Wisconsin to the very end, scoring 14 late fourth quarter points, but came up just short on the road in the Big Ten opener at Camp Randall Stadium, 33-24.
Senior Justin Jackson continued his climb up the Big Ten record books as he passed Javon Ringer to move into 13th all-time in on the conference's career rushing yards list.
Jackson now sits at 4,402 career rushing yards and needs just 83 yards to pass Damien Anderson as the program's all-time leader in career rushing yards.
Clayton Thorson finished the day completing 29-of-45 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, senior Brett Walsh finished with a team-high 11 tackles.
The loss moves Northwestern to 2-2 (0-1) on the season, while Wisconsin remains unbeaten at 4-0 (1-0).
On the game's first play from scrimmage, sophomore Trae Williams forced a fumble and recovered on Wisconsin's 24-yard line. Minutes later, the 'Cats got on the board first after first-year kicker Charlie Kuhbander converted on a 34-yard field goal to give Northwestern an early 3-0 lead.
The Badgers answered back late in the first quarter with a seven-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor to give Wisconsin a 7-3 lead.
Both teams exchanged stops on the next several drives. The Wildcats' defense saw two first-year players step up to make big plays early in the second quarter as Samdup Miller recorded his first career sack. Then, two plays later, JR Pace came up with his first career interception, forcing the second turnover of the game for the NU defense.
After forcing a three-and-out, the 'Cats were given great field position with 9:16 remaining in the second quarter. Led by Thorson, the Wildcats' offense engineered a 12-play drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown reception by sophomore superback Cameron Green, the first of his career, to give Northwestern a 10-7 lead.
The Wildcats continued their stellar play on the defensive side of the ball late in the first half when senior Godwin Igwebuike came down with his first interception of the season and the sixth of his career. The defense finished the half with four tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks and two interceptions. As a result, Northwestern headed to the locker room with a 10-7 halftime lead.
On the Badgers' first drive of the second half, Taylor found the end zone from 11 yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the day to give the Wisconsin a 14-10 lead. Wisconsin would add to its the lead on its next drive after quarterback Alex Hornibrook connected with Danny Davis for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 21-10.
Wisconsin would add a field goal and a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
With 4:46 remaining in the game, Thorson found redshirt first-year Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for a 2-yard touchdown, the first of his career, to cut the deficit to 31-17.
The Wildcat's comeback efforts continued on their next drive as they moved 55 yards in just 1:28, capping the drive with a five-yard connection to Garrett Dickerson to make the score 31-24.
The Northwestern defense forced a stop on the ensuing drive to give the offense the ball back with 1:09 remaining in the game. However, Wisconsin came up with a safety to ice the game, 33-24.
Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to Ryan Field next Saturday for a Homecoming matchup with No. 4 Penn State. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m.. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
MADISON, Wis. – Northwestern battled No. 10 Wisconsin to the very end, scoring 14 late fourth quarter points, but came up just short on the road in the Big Ten opener at Camp Randall Stadium, 33-24.
Senior Justin Jackson continued his climb up the Big Ten record books as he passed Javon Ringer to move into 13th all-time in on the conference's career rushing yards list.
Jackson now sits at 4,402 career rushing yards and needs just 83 yards to pass Damien Anderson as the program's all-time leader in career rushing yards.
Clayton Thorson finished the day completing 29-of-45 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, senior Brett Walsh finished with a team-high 11 tackles.
The loss moves Northwestern to 2-2 (0-1) on the season, while Wisconsin remains unbeaten at 4-0 (1-0).
On the game's first play from scrimmage, sophomore Trae Williams forced a fumble and recovered on Wisconsin's 24-yard line. Minutes later, the 'Cats got on the board first after first-year kicker Charlie Kuhbander converted on a 34-yard field goal to give Northwestern an early 3-0 lead.
The Badgers answered back late in the first quarter with a seven-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor to give Wisconsin a 7-3 lead.
Both teams exchanged stops on the next several drives. The Wildcats' defense saw two first-year players step up to make big plays early in the second quarter as Samdup Miller recorded his first career sack. Then, two plays later, JR Pace came up with his first career interception, forcing the second turnover of the game for the NU defense.
After forcing a three-and-out, the 'Cats were given great field position with 9:16 remaining in the second quarter. Led by Thorson, the Wildcats' offense engineered a 12-play drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown reception by sophomore superback Cameron Green, the first of his career, to give Northwestern a 10-7 lead.
The Wildcats continued their stellar play on the defensive side of the ball late in the first half when senior Godwin Igwebuike came down with his first interception of the season and the sixth of his career. The defense finished the half with four tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks and two interceptions. As a result, Northwestern headed to the locker room with a 10-7 halftime lead.
On the Badgers' first drive of the second half, Taylor found the end zone from 11 yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the day to give the Wisconsin a 14-10 lead. Wisconsin would add to its the lead on its next drive after quarterback Alex Hornibrook connected with Danny Davis for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 21-10.
Wisconsin would add a field goal and a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
With 4:46 remaining in the game, Thorson found redshirt first-year Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for a 2-yard touchdown, the first of his career, to cut the deficit to 31-17.
The Wildcat's comeback efforts continued on their next drive as they moved 55 yards in just 1:28, capping the drive with a five-yard connection to Garrett Dickerson to make the score 31-24.
The Northwestern defense forced a stop on the ensuing drive to give the offense the ball back with 1:09 remaining in the game. However, Wisconsin came up with a safety to ice the game, 33-24.
Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to Ryan Field next Saturday for a Homecoming matchup with No. 4 Penn State. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m.. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
••••••
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Team Stats
NU
WIS
Total Yards
244
306
Pass Yards
219
197
Rushing Yards
25
109
Penalty Yards
50
47
1st Downs
20
13
3rd Downs
3
3
4th Downs
2
0
TOP
32:47
27:13
1st Quarter
NU 3, WIS 0
NU - Kuhbander, C. 34 yd field goal 4 plays, 8 yards, TOP 1:27
NU 3, WIS 7
WIS - Taylor, J. 7 yd run (Gaglianone, R. kick), 7 plays, 47 yards, TOP 3:48
2nd Quarter
NU 10, WIS 7
NU - Green, Cameron 1 yd pass from Thorson, C. (Kuhbander, C. kick) 12 plays, 44 yards, TOP 6:38
3rd Quarter
NU 10, WIS 14
WIS - Taylor, J. 11 yd run (Gaglianone, R. kick), 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:59
NU 10, WIS 21
WIS - Davis, Danny 5 yd pass from Hornibrook, A. (Gaglianone, R. kick) 4 plays, 38 yards, TOP 1:42
4th Quarter
NU 10, WIS 24
WIS - Gaglianone, R. 23 yd field goal 7 plays, 38 yards, TOP 3:41
NU 10, WIS 31
WIS - Jamerson, N. 36 yd interception (Gaglianone, R. kick)
NU 17, WIS 31
NU - Bowman, Ramaud 2 yd pass from Thorson, C. (Kuhbander, C. kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:08
NU 24, WIS 31
NU - Dickerson, G. 5 yd pass from Thorson, C. (Kuhbander, C. kick) 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 1:28
NU 24, WIS 33
WIS - TEAM 9 yd safety
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
29
TD
3
YDS
219
INT
2
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
SB
/ Football
SB
/ Football
S
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
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