Wildcats' offense isn't bowling over anyone
As crestfallen Northwestern players walked to the team bus Saturday, they were reminded of what is still at stake this season.
A representative from the Insight Bowl stood outside the locker room door after watching the Wildcats' 35-17 loss to Purdue.
One of the main reasons bowl reps are tracking NU, according to school officials, is a high-powered offense that ranks eighth nationally in passing yards (313 per game) and 29th in total yards (433.8).
But after detonating for 97 points and 1,200 yards in back-to-back wins against Michigan State and Minnesota, NU has cooled off.
The Wildcats have put up only 43 points the last two weeks. They bottomed out in the fourth quarter Saturday, generating 4 net yards and no first downs.
To qualify for a bowl -- and keep the guys with the ugly blazers interested -- NU needs an offensive resurgence in its final three games.
"We haven't been clicking," senior center Trevor Rees said. "Last week we still put up 500 yards; we just didn't put up the points we needed to. This week, we come out and have too many turnovers. You can't do that and win Big Ten football games."
Junior quarterback C.J. Bacher has thrown 4 interceptions in his last two starts after going 111 consecutive passes without a pick. Bacher was constantly pressured Saturday and forced several passes into coverage.
His 3 interceptions tied a career high.
"A lot of plays were so close," Bacher said. "My picks really hurt us. We can't put ourselves in a position where we have to beat ourselves."
Re-igniting an offense usually starts with the run, but the Wildcats have been pass-heavy all season. More than 56 percent of their plays have been passes, even though primary ballcarriers Omar Conteh, Tyrell Sutton and Brandon Roberson all average 4.7 yards a carry or better.
A Wildcats running back has received more than 20 carries just twice in the first nine games.
TV time: Comcast cable subscribers will finally get to see a Northwestern game this week. After playing seven of their first nine games on the Big Ten Network, the Wildcats will appear on ESPN2 for their 11 a.m. clash at home against Iowa.
Next week's home finale against Indiana will kick off at 11 a.m. and be televised by ESPN Classic.
Inches to go: NU's loss prevented its first four-game winning streak since 1996. … Defensive end Corey Wootton recorded his first sack of the season after racking up 4½ last year. … Jaycen Taylor (157 yards) became the first Purdue running back to eclipse 150 rushing yards since Brandon Jones did against Northwestern in 2002.