Scouting report Gophers at Northwestern
11 a.m. Saturday, Ryan Field (BTN, 100.3-FM)
A look at the Wildcats
Northwestern took its lumps early, losing 41-17 at Duke in Week 2 and dropping its first two Big Ten games, against Wisconsin and Penn State. The Wildcats have since won five in a row, including consecutive overtime wins over Iowa, Michigan State and Nebraska, the first time that has been accomplished in FBS history. With a victory, they'll clinch second place in the Big Ten West, and could be headed to the Holiday Bowl.
Who to watch: Clayton Thorson, QB
Thorson's stats might not look like much — 11 TD passes, 11 interceptions — but he's getting it done when it counts. He has six TD runs during the five-game winning streak, including a late one in regulation and the winner in OT vs. Nebraska, and the OT winner vs. Michigan State. He also threw the winning TD pass vs. Iowa, and has passed for 1,380 yards during the streak. Thorson is 1-1 against the Gophers, passing for 276 yards with one TD in a 29-12 road loss last year and rushing for two TDs in a 27-0 home victory in 2015.
From the coach: Pat Fitzgerald
The former Northwestern All-America linebacker, 42 and in his 12th season, will make a bowl for the eighth time. He knew his team would not quit after the tough start. "I didn't have that fear at all. None whatsoever, quite frankly," he said. "I don't think that's in our guys' DNA. I just don't."
Randy Johnson
