NU's running game doesn't disappoint
Northwestern players have been careful not to question play-calling decisions this season, but left tackle Dylan Thiry and his linemates were always clear about one thing.
They wanted to run-block. Real bad.
The front five finally got their chance Saturday, as NU deviated from its pass-heavy habits in a 31-28 win against Indiana.
For the first time since the season opener, the Wildcats had more runs (46) than passes (34). They had no more than 34 rushes in their previous nine games.
NU stuck with the ground game late after attempting only 2 fourth-quarter runs in the last two games. Junior running back Tyrell Sutton had 9 carries in the final quarter, including 4 on the game-winning touchdown drive.
"We ran the ball a lot more than we normally do late in the game," Thiry said. "We trusted ourselves with our playcalling, and we executed.
"When you can break off 5, 6 yards on the first play, you put the defense in a bad spot."
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said this week that NU likely would stick with the pass in crunch time, but he continued to pound Indiana's interior line with Sutton.
"We were run-happy," Sutton said, "and it was working for us."
The increased number of runs helped NU control the clock -- it held the ball 13 minutes, 34 seconds longer than Indiana. Sutton recorded season highs in both carries (33) and yards (141).
"He's an All-Big Ten-level player," coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "To get out there and play the way he's capable of and play behind our offensive line the way he did, I'm really proud."
Redemption return: Just before his game-changing interception in the second quarter, NU linebacker Eddie Simpson turned toward teammate Reggie McPherson, who had nearly picked off a Kellen Lewis pass on an earlier play.
"I was like, 'Just catch it,' " Simpson said. "Then, I turned to myself and was like, 'Just catch it.' "
Then he did.
With Lewis on the sideline after getting shaken up by a David Ngene hit, Simpson intercepted a pass by backup quarterback Ben Chappell and raced 41 yards to the end zone. NU's first interception return for a touchdown since the 2005 Sun Bowl cut Indiana's lead 14-10.
It also redeemed Simpson, who returned a fumble 22 yards last year against Iowa but was dragged down at the 6-yard line.
"It's definitely a make up," Simpson said. "It's haunted me for the past year. I secretly inside just couldn't wait to make another play."
Inches to go: For the first time under coach Pat Fitzgerald, NU won a game despite losing the turnover battle. … The Wildcats have converted 53 of their last 99 third-down chances (53.5 percent) after going 12-for-17 on Saturday. … C.J. Bacher moved into second place on NU's single-season total offense list. He has 3,389 yards and trails only Brett Basanez (4,045 in 2005).