July 30, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern Athletics' 2008-09 Top 15 Moments countdown hits No. 8 today with junior safety Brendan Smith's (Andover, Mass./New Hampton Prep (N.H.)) pick-six late in the Wildcats' 24-17 win at No. 20 Minnesota on Nov. 1.
With Northwestern and Minnesota tied at the HHH Metrodome and 26 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Gophers threw downfield on a second down play from their own half of the gridiron. The ball ricocheted off the receiver and hit NU's David Oredugba before settling into the hands of Smith, who raced up the field behind a wall of blockers 48 yards for the game-winning score.
The play was nominated for that week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance award and helped Smith earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. Also in that contest, junior quarterback Mike Kafka (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) -- starting in place of an injured C.J. Bachér -- set a Big Ten quarterback rushing record with 217 yards.
The win moved NU to 7-2 on the season and 3-2 in the Big Ten. It was the "Cardiac 'Cats'" second dramatic triumph at the Metrodome in the last decade following the fabled "Victory Right" play in 2000.
To view a video of Smith's interception and subsequent score, check out this YouTube video of the play featuring the WGN Radio call submitted by user NUBears.