Oct. 5, 2009
NU Football Game Notes vs. Miami 
For Openers
After notching a road victory at Purdue last weekend, Northwestern returns to Ryan Field to entertain Miami University at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 10. The game is being televised by the Big Ten Network. Saturday's contest marks the Wildcats' final nonconference game of 2009.
Northwestern extended its Big Ten road winning streak to three games (and four wins in its last five league road games) with a stirring 27-21 come-from-behind victory over the Boilermakers. The Wildcats trailed 21-3 early in the second quarter before they forced six Purdue turnovers in the final three quarters to post the six-point win. Senior quarterback Mike Kafka scored on a 2-yard run with 2:09 left in the game to cap the comeback. That game-winning drive was set up by the Boilermakers' fifth fumble of the game (and the Wildcats' sixth overall takeaway). Purdue drove to the Wildcats' 5-yard line in the final seconds, but two straight incompletions on third- and fourth-down secured the victory.
Junior place-kicker Stefan Demos, who was named the Big Ten's Co-Special Teams Player of the Week Sunday night, booted a career-best four field goals (on four attempts) to help the Wildcats crawl back in Saturday's game. He scored 13 of the Wildcats' first 19 points, and his 39-yard field goal with 7:32 left in the third quarter pulled the Wildcats to within two points, 21-19. Demos has converted all eight of his field goal attempts this season.
Northwestern held Purdue to 62 rushing yards -- a single-game season best -- to lower its season defensive rushing figure to 118.0 ypg. Last year, the Wildcats set a single-season defensive record by allowing just 126.4 yards per game.
Miami (Ohio) enters this week's game still in search of its first win for new head coach Michael Haywood. The RedHawks have played a demanding schedule thus far with nonconference losses to Kentucky, Boise State and Cincinnati. Boise State and Cincinnati are both ranked in the top 10 presently.
Although the RedHawks are sitting at 0-5 this season, Miami began the 2009 season as one of the most successful all-time FBS programs. The RedHawks have won 649 games (23rd all-time) and posted 82 winning seasons.
Gameday Promotions/Ticket Info
Tickets for Saturday's game ($35 reserved/$25 end zone/$30 corner adult & $15 corner youth -- advanced purchase only for the corner youth seats) can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or visiting NUsports.com.
Saturday is Take a Kid to the Game Day at Ryan Field. Two children, eighth grade and under, are admitted free with each adult ticket purchased at regular price. This offer is valid only on day of the game and not valid with any other offer. Children's tickets will be distributed from Gate J. You can purchase one adult end zone ticket for only $25 and two children in the eighth grade and under will be admitted free. That is less than $9 per person. It is also NU Faculty/Staff Day -- end zone seats are available for $13 (tickets must be purchased in advance.) For more information, please e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- Saturday's game will be broadcast on WGN 720 AM and wgnradio.com with the 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. The game can also be heard on Sirius (channel 161) and XM (channel 195) satellite radio.
Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game nationally. Ari Wolfe (play-by-play), Glen Mason (analyst) and Anthony Herron (sideline) will call the game.
(For a complete set of game notes, download the PDF above.)