Upset bid thrown away
All week long, Northwestern players pointed to the fourth quarter, insisting that, if given the chance, they would win the final stage.
They used history from years past and even this season to support their claim. They cited their recent record (11-3) in games decided by a touchdown or less.
Their wish was granted Saturday, as they entered the fourth quarter with a 16-14 lead against Michigan. But in their time to shine, the Wildcats fell apart.
Pass protection. Ball security. Pass rushing. Playcalling. Name a phase, and NU combusted in crunch time.
The Wildcats squandered a solid performance with a disastrous fourth quarter, falling 28-16 to Michigan before 40,604 at Ryan Field.
NU's losing streak hit three, while Michigan (3-2, 2-0) won its third straight behind quarterback Chad Henne, who threw 3 touchdowns in his first action since Sept. 8.
"We always harp on 'Finish,' get it to the third and fourth quarter because we know we've been able to pull things out in the end," said NU left tackle Dylan Thiry. "We just made turnovers. We didn't give ourselves a chance toward the end."
The Wildcats (2-3, 0-2) committed 4 turnovers in the final 11 minutes, 3 coming in their own territory. Michigan converted those miscues into 14 points, taking the lead for good on a touchdown pass to Adrian Arrington with 9:53 left.
Quarterback C.J. Bacher was charged with all 5 NU turnovers (3 interceptions, 2 fumbles) and failed to throw a touchdown for the third straight game. But deteriorating pass protection led to both fumbles and 1 of the interceptions, and another pick caromed off wide receiver Rasheed Ward.
"Tipped usually equals pick," coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "When those things happen, I don't think that's much on the quarterback."
Bacher didn't meet with reporters because he was receiving treatment (a team spokesman said his injuries were minor). Though Bacher passed for 289 yards and converted several tough third downs, he completed just 22 of 42 attempts and had his third straight multi-interception game.
"They weren't all on C.J.," Thiry said of the turnovers. "He was getting pressured. He's the type of guy that'll make the throws. He'll hold on to it a little longer just to get that receiver another second to get open."
The extra second cost Bacher as Northwestern, trailing 21-16, entered Michigan territory midway through the fourth quarter. On first down, Bacher was hit as he threw and Wolverines defensive end Tim Jamison intercepted the ball.
After a missed field goal attempt gave Northwestern another opening, a Bacher pass hit Ward and fell into the arms of linebacker Obi Ezeh.
"We're going to look back at a couple series from this game and have the pain and regret," Fitzgerald said.
The Wildcats also will see encouraging signs, particularly on defense.
Coming off a disastrous performance at Ohio State, NU held star running back Mike Hart to 30 yards in the opening half. After allowing 89 first-half points in their previous three games, the Wildcats held Michigan to 7 and led 16-7 at the break.
"We got embarrassed last week," said defensive tackle John Gill, who had a team-high 10 tackles and a sack. "We wanted to show that that's not really who we are."