Yarbrough a big part of Wildcats' big plays
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Jeff Yarbrough spent most of the week by himself, testing his hamstring by running sprints on Northwestern's auxiliary practice field.
Saturday, the junior wide receiver raced up and down a different field, the one at Spartan Stadium.
Both Yarbrough (104 yards) and junior Eric Peterman (9 receptions, 141 yards) turned in career performances as Northwestern's wide receivers sizzled in a 48-41 overtime win over Michigan State. Quarterback C.J. Bacher utilized all of his weapons in a record-setting performance, as seven players had multiple receptions and five had 4 or more.
"It was like a contagious feeling," said Yarbrough, who had missed the last two games. "Everybody was going to make a big play."
Bacher attacked Michigan State with quick passes, finding Peterman, Rasheed Ward, running back Omar Conteh and others on swings and hitches. The wideouts repeatedly sealed blocks and found openings on third down.
Tied at 20-20 and facing third-and-15, Bacher hit Yarbrough, who scooted past a gambling safety for a 78-yard touchdown, Northwestern's longest play from scrimmage this season.
"It was open earlier," said Yarbrough, who was cleared to play Thursday. "I was trying to cross the safety's face. Once I caught it, I ain't seen nobody, so I just took off."
Peterman's burst came in the fourth quarter when, on third-and-7, he found a gap and raced 70 yards for his first touchdown of the season.
"It's a play that we really like," Peterman said. "It's got a lot of answers."
Ross Lane was again the answer near the goal line with 2 touchdown catches. Senior wideout Kim Thompson had third-down receptions of 24 and 22 yards to prolong the game's opening drive, which ended in an 11-yard scoring run by Conteh.
The Wildcats had 3 passes go 52 yards or longer after recording only 1 longer than 38 in the first five games.
"Best big-play day we've had in forever," Lane said.
In the middle: On a day with few defensive bright spots, NU linebacker Malcolm Arrington emerged with a career-high 9 tackles, including 1½ for loss. Arrington also blocked a punt midway through the fourth quarter with the game tied at 41-41.
"We've been practicing that for weeks," Arrington said. "Coach has been getting on all of us, telling us we need to make a big play. I decided to make one."
Inches to go: NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said running back Omar Conteh was dehydrated after catching the winning touchdown in overtime but would be fine for practice this week. … C.J. Bacher's second-quarter touchdown pass to Ross Lane marked his first since firing the game-winner to Lane against Nevada on Sept. 8. … Omar Conteh became the first NU player with 2 rushing touchdowns in a game since quarterback Brett Basanez against Illinois on Nov. 19, 2005. … Amado Villarreal's missed extra point in the first quarter snapped a streak of 11 consecutive conversions. His missed field goal in the fourth quarter ended a run of 7 straight makes. … Running back Tyrell Sutton (high ankle sprain) did not make the trip.