NU-Minnesota a challenging match

In many ways, last week was the easy part for Northwestern.

A Wildcats team that always seems at its best when staring down adversity faced plenty last Saturday at Michigan State. Wide receiver Ross Lane later called the game "do or die," and record-setting quarterback C.J. Bacher termed it a "season definer."

A 48-41 overtime win against the Spartans was surprising to some, but not those who have seen NU pull upsets every season.

The hard part for the Wildcats, at least in recent years, has been sustaining a back-against-the-wall mentality, especially in games they should win. Saturday's clash against a struggling Minnesota team at Ryan Field likely will confirm whether or not this NU team can maintain a sense of urgency under less adverse conditions.

Behind a physical offensive line, NU piled up 611 yards against Michigan State. Center Trevor Rees expects the line's cut-loose attitude to continue against a Golden Gophers defense that ranks last nationally against the pass (345.8 ypg).

"Once we broke out of the mold and the mind-set of trying not to mess up," Rees said, "you see guys responding better.

"It's kind of controlled chaos."

The same term could have applied to NU's defense last week, without the controlled part. Poor tackling and a paucity of defenders around the ball hurt the Wildcats, who allowed 287 rushing yards.

Facing another tough running back (Amir Pinnix) and a Golden Gophers offense that averages 436.5 yards per game, NU's defense hopes to channel the unchained aggression that Rees and the linemen displayed. Wide receivers Eric Decker and Ernie Wheelwright will test a banged-up Wildcats secondary, and the Gophers line is tied for 10th nationally in fewest sacks allowed.

"It is definitely an issue on defense when you have guys thinking (too much) because they're a step slow," linebacker Adam Kadela said. "You've got to make sure you're reacting as fast as you possibly can. Everyone's going to miss a tackle now and then, and that's where it comes back to ... guys thinking. That's why we didn't have the swarm that we need."

Increased swarm could lead to more takeaways, of which NU has had none the last two games.

Minnesota is 116th nationally in giveaways with 20. Gophers redshirt freshman Adam Weber ranks third in the Big Ten in passing (257.2 ypg) but leads the league with 12 interceptions.

"We're getting closer," NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said of his defense. "They key is get as many people at the football as you can. The first and second guys secure the tackle, and the third and fourth guys go in for the football. And usually in zone (pass) coverage, tip equals pick"

Limiting turnovers remains a concern for NU's offense. The Wildcats have committed no turnovers in their 3 victories and 10 in their 3 losses.

The offensive playbook appeared to expand at Michigan State, featuring more swing passes and shuffle passes, but coordinator Garrick McGee credited the production spike to ball security.

"We called the same plays we always call," McGee said. "The difference in the game was no turnovers."

Running back Tyrell Sutton will miss his fifth consecutive game with an ankle injury, but Fitzgerald on Wednesday sounded optimistic about the junior's potential to return. Sutton likely needs two full weeks of practice before playing again, meaning if he practices next week he could be back Oct. 27 at Purdue.

"He's doing a good job in rehab, doing some different stuff than he's done in the past," Fitzgerald said.

The prospect of getting Sutton back for the stretch run should excite NU, which has received solid play from backup running back Omar Conteh. Wins on Saturday against Minnesota and Friday at Eastern Michigan would put the Wildcats in position for a bowl push, but can they keep the pedal down?

"We've got to play with that heightened sense of awareness every series," Kadela said. "That's the next step."