Sept. 22, 2007
Northwestern Notes
Northwestern fell to 2-2 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats return home next week, hosting Michigan at 11 a.m. CT (Big Ten Network).
For the second straight game, Northwestern's fifth all-time leading rusher, RB Tyrell Sutton, was forced to sit out a contest due to an ankle injury. Sutton played in his first 26 career games before being sidelined with his latest injury.
RB Omar Conteh made his first collegiate start, in place of the injured Tyrell Sutton.
CB Sherrick McManis collected his first interception of the season and the second of his career. His first collegiate interception came last year against Ohio State and QB Troy Smith.
RB Stephen Simmons returned his first career kickoff return for 99 yards and a touchdown. It was NU's first KO return for TD since Jeff Backes returned a 97-yarder at Minnesota on Sept. 25, 2004. The 99-yard KO return is tied for second longest (with Curtis Duncan vs. Indiana, 1984) in NU history behind Jason Wright's 100-yard return vs. TCU (2002).
QB C.J. Bachér passed Otto Graham (2,072 career yards) on NU's career passing yardage list and now sits in 17th place with 2,189 career yards.
WR Eric Peterman finished the game with a career-high six receptions for 61 yards.
LB Adam Kadela finished the game with a career-high 13 tackles.
Northwestern recorded two takeaways, the McManis interception and a fumble recovery by SAF Reggie McPherson. Kadela forced the fumble that McPherson recovered.