Keep it close, NU can win
The team is searching for a cornerstone, and the co-captain points to a file of fantastic finishes.
Get to the fourth quarter with a lead or a manageable deficit, linebacker Adam Kadela declares, and Northwestern will take its chances from there.
Kadela has even memorized the key stat to support his case.
"We're 11-3 in our last 14 games decided by 7 points or less," he said. "If we get there, I have all the confidence in the world that we will win the game."
But getting there has seemed almost impossible for Northwestern in this season of slow starts. The Wildcats have been outscored 89-17 in the first half in their last three games, dropping two and needing a last-minute miracle to win the other.
A 20-7 halftime deficit against Duke proved too steep. Ohio State put up 45 first-half points last week, denying the Wildcats even a puncher's chance at a comeback.
"We can't let ourselves get knocked out early," Kadela said. "We've got to take it four quarters."
NU's quest begins today against a team that overcame a staggeringly slow start to revive its season. Humbled by Appalachian State and embarrassed by Oregon, Michigan has countered with consecutive wins and reclaimed momentum heading into its first road game at Ryan Field (11 a.m., Big Ten Network).
Playing without senior quarterback Chad Henne, who is medically cleared to play today and likely will start, Michigan (2-2, 1-0 Big Ten) thumped Notre Dame and outlasted Penn State to even its record.
"It's a great blueprint for success when you get knocked down," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "They came back hungry. That's the same kind of hunger that we talked about.
"We're 2-2 with a ton of football left to play. It's time to come back and respond."
NU must respond again without starting running back Tyrell Sutton, who will miss his third consecutive game with a high ankle sprain. The Wildcats have not won without Sutton and will rely on reserves Omar Conteh, Brandon Roberson and possibly Stephen Simmons to handle the rushing load.
Michigan struggled to defend spread offenses against Appalachian State and Oregon but allowed only 349 yards and 9 points in its last two games. Though NU matches up decently with the Wolverines, it must find the explosiveness lacking for much of the season.
The Wildcats are still looking for their first non-special teams touchdown of longer than 20 yards.
"(Former coach Randy Walker) would always say, 'You take the nickels and you take the dimes, and they all add up to being a dollar,'" Fitzgerald said. "You never know when that big play's going to pop. You've just got to trust that it's going to happen, and it will."
After looking powerless against Ohio State's speed and strength, NU's defense faces the league's best running back in Mike Hart. The senior ranks second nationally in rushing average (163.8 ypg) and has eclipsed 125 yards in all four games.
All-American left tackle Jake Long anchors a line that uses a zone-blocking scheme similar to that of the NFL's Denver Broncos.
"We know Hart's going to get the ball a lot," Kadela said. "We're going to have to be a lot more physical tackling against them. He runs hard. If you try to arm-tackle, he'll be laughing as he's running past you."
The words "embarrassed" and "pride" buzzed around the Wildcats this week, and Fitzgerald noted the team's ability to rally following lopsided losses in recent years. But the start will once again be critical, particularly for a defense that has allowed big plays in the first half of its last three games.
"Each guy has to take personal pride on the field and accountability for themselves," free safety Reggie McPherson said. "Just compete. That's what we've got to do."
Michigan (2-2, 1-0) at Northwestern (2-2, 0-1)
When: 11 a.m. at Ryan Field
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: WGN 720-AM, WNUR 89.3-FM
Series: Michigan leads 51-14-2
Coaches: Michigan's Lloyd Carr (115-38, 13th year at Michigan and overall); Pat Fitzgerald (6-10, second year at Northwestern and overall).
Players to watch: Mike Hart is Michigan's top offensive threat, but wideouts Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington surely salivated after watching Northwestern's horrendous pass defense last week. Manningham is itching for a breakout performance after scoring only 1 touchdown in the first four games. Arrington and sophomore Greg Matthews both have 2 touchdown receptions. Wolverines linebacker Shawn Crable is tied for second nationally in tackles for loss with 9. … Northwestern linebacker Adam Kadela will be assigned to Hart after making a career-high 13 tackles against Ohio State. Kadela has 15 more tackles than any other Wildcat defender. Reserve running back Brandon Roberson has averaged 5.2 yards a carry this season.
The skinny: Both teams enter the game 2-2, but they're heading in opposite directions. Michigan is rejuvenated after thumping Notre Dame and out-grinding Penn State, while Northwestern is reeling after losses to Duke and Ohio State. Michigan is just 5-7 in road openers under coach Lloyd Carr but snapped a six-game slide last year against Notre Dame. Wolverines running back Mike Hart has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in 14 of his 22 career Big Ten games. Northwestern defensive end Corey Wootton (hip) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (head) are expected to play. Third-stringer Tim McAvoy is expected to start at right guard for Michigan because Alex Mitchell and Jeremy Ciulla are battling injuries.
-- Adam Rittenberg