Sept. 26, 2011
NU FB Game Notes (vs. Illinois) 
Coach Fitzgerald Weekly News Conference Transcript
Northwestern (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) at No. 24/22 Illinois (4-0, 0-0)
11 a.m. CT • Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011
Memorial Stadium (60,670) • Champaign, Ill.
Television: ESPN2
Radio: WGN (720 AM), WNUR (89.3 FM), Sirius (Channels 94 and 196)
Internet: ESPN3.com, wgnradio.com and wnur.org
Gametracker:
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
For Openers
• Following a week away from competition, Northwestern kicks off its Big Ten season Saturday against in-state rival and undefeated Illinois. It is the 105th all-time meeting between the schools and the third in which the winner will be taking home the Land of Lincoln Trophy.
• Northwestern, a member of the Big Ten's Legends Division in the new 12-team conference, is playing the first of three crossover games this year against a Leaders Division opponent. The Wildcats also play Penn State and Indiana in addition to their five intra-division contests.
• NU has been triumphant in six of its last eight meetings with Illinois dating to 2003, with an average margin of victory of 12.3 points in its six wins. The 'Cats also won in their last trip to Memorial Stadium, a 21-16 victory in 2009. Northwestern is 8-4 in Big Ten road games since the start of 2008 and on Saturday will look to improve its 3-3 mark in its last six outings against ranked opponents.
• Saturday's game will likely mark the return to the field of senior and All-Big Ten quarterback Dan Persa, who has missed the first three games while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Persa has not played in a game since Nov. 13, 2010, when he led NU to a 21-17 comeback win against Iowa, injuring his foot while throwing the game-winning touchdown pass. Persa, who has 2,805 career passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns, was 7-3 as a starter in 2010.
Northwestern-Illinois Series Information
Series Record: Illinois leads, 53-46-5
Last Meeting: Nov. 20, 2010 •Illinois 48, Northwestern 27 (Wrigley Field)
• Northwestern and Illinois staged a contest that will be remembered for years to come in 2010, playing its annual rivalry game in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field in the Allstate Wrigleyville Classic. Illinois relied on a powerful rushing attack -- totaling 519 yards on the ground--to turn a 27-24 halftime lead into a 48-27 win over NU. The Wildcats were playing for the first time without quarterback Dan Persa, who injured his Achilles tendon the week prior against Iowa.
• Illinois is entering the final stage of a five-game homestand to begin the 2011 season and coming off consecutive three-point wins against Arizona State and Western Michigan. The Illini are allowing a paltry 56.5 rushing yards per game through four outings, best in the Big Ten, and also lead the conference in sacks and tackles for loss per game (3.25 and 8.0, respectively).
• Sophomore quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase has capably run the Illini offense thus far in 2011, ranking 16th nationally in passing efficiency (166.2) and averaging 56 rushing yards per game.
Ticket Information/Next Game
• On Oct. 8, Northwestern hosts its Big Ten home opener against Michigan. It is the first of three consecutive night games (6 p.m. start) for NU, two of which are at Ryan Field.
• Season tickets for NU football are still available by calling 1-888-GO-PURPLE. At this point, purchasing season tickets is the only way for fans to guarantee entry to the Michigan game.
(For a complete set of notes, download the PDF above)
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