Sept. 21, 2009
NU Football Game Notes (vs. Minnesota) 
For Openers
Northwestern returns to Ryan Field this Saturday, Sept. 26 for its Big Ten Conference opener vs. Minnesota. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT. The game is being televised by the Big Ten Network.
Northwestern and Minnesota both suffered their first losses of the season this past Saturday. The Gophers fell to eighth-ranked California 35-21 after being tied with the Golden Bears 21-21 early in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats suffered a heartbreaking loss at Syracuse when the Orange kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired, snapping a 34-34 tie. Northwestern had rallied from a 17-0 deficit to take a 34-27 lead late in the game.
Saturday's loss at Syracuse spoiled a record-setting performance by senior quarterback Mike Kafka. Kafka, who began the game with a school-record 16 straight completions (Tom Myers was the previous record-holder with 15 straight in 1962), set a single-game completion record by hitting 83.3 percent of his passes--35-of-42 for a career-best 390 yards. Brett Basanez held NU's previous single game mark of 80.6 percent (25-of-31), set in 2005 vs. Illinois. Kafka, who tossed a career-best three TD passes, also rushed for a score and was on the receiving end of a TD pass -- a 24-yard reception from Andrew Brewer. He is the first Big Ten player since 2004 to accomplish that rare trifecta. Penn State's Zack Mills last did it vs. Akron.
For his record-setting performance, Mike Kafka was named the Big Ten's Co-Offensive Player of the Week Sunday night. He shared the honor with Michigan running back Carlos Brown. It was the second Big Ten weekly honor of Kafka's career.
The Big Ten Network's Friday Night Tailgate show features Northwestern this week. The show, which airs at 10 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 25, will showcase several aspects of Northwestern and its campus.
Minnesota is led by its quarterback/wide receiver combo of Adam Weber and Eric Decker. In his third year as the Gophers' starting QB, Weber has completed 60-of-103 passes for 693 yards and 3 TD's this season. Decker, Minnesota's record-setting receiver, leads the Big Ten in both receptions per game (9.0) and receiving yards per game (138.3). Linebacker Nathan Triplett, named the national defensive player of the week for his performance in Minnesota's 20-13 win over Air Force, ranks eighth nationally with 8.0 tackles per game.
Gameday Promotions/Info
Tickets for Saturday's game ($50 reserved/$35 end zone/$40 corner adult & $20 corner youth--advanced purchase only for the corner youth seats) can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com.
Saturday is Scout Day at Ryan Field. End zone tickets are half-price for all scouts, family members and troop leaders and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are only $18 for scouts in the eighth grade and under. All scouts will receive the official scout day patch and a welcome message on the videoboard. For the scout day code, please e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) and wgnradio.com will carry the game live with its broadcast beginning 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.
Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game nationally. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play), Chris Martin (analyst) and Charissa Thompson (sideline) will call the game.
(For a complete set of game notes, download the PDF above.)