Defense leads way for NU
Northwestern really is all it's cracked up to be, the premier academic institution in the Big Ten, one of the most prestigious schools in the country.
Need more proof?
Quarterback C.J. Bacher threw 3 touchdowns in a 30-10 victory over Syracuse on Saturday in Evanston, completing 23 of 35 passes in the Wildcats' fourth straight season-opening win.
And his grade?
"C," Bacher said. "I think I need to be more accurate and see the defense better. I think we were able to come out with a victory because of the play of our offensive line."
Phew, tough curve. Bacher was a little more generous with the offense as a whole.
"B, B-plus," the senior said.
B, C, all that matters to Northwestern is the W. And for a while in front of 20,015 at Ryan Field, that was no sure thing.
For all the talk about Northwestern's returning offensive firepower, go figure the first Wildcats points of the season would come on a safety.
An 11-point favorite over a Syracuse team coming off a 2-10 season, Northwestern found itself trailing in the third quarter.
Then the defense did it again.
Junior Brendan Smith scored on a 26-yard interception return, which followed Bacher's touchdown toss and gave the Wildcats a 23-10 cushion to coast home.
"It was real nice to get back in the end zone," said Smith, a quarterback in high school. "I read it well."
Tyrell Sutton, Bacher and company had their moments, but the day belonged to Northwestern's defense in its first game under new coordinator Mike Hankwitz.
In addition to putting 9 points of their own on the scoreboard, they held the Orange to 11 first downs and 225 yards - just 68 yards in the second half.
"I really love the way they responded," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "Their backs were against the wall on a number of occasions. It was a good first step; we've got a long way to go."
Other than a field goal on its opening drive, Syracuse didn't score except for a 9-yard drive set up by a fumble recovery.
After failing to produce points on NU's first five drives, Bacher found a wide-open Jeremy Ebert over the middle on a 16-yard scoring strike for a 9-3 halftime lead.
It didn't last long. Curtis Brinkley shook Adam Hahn's tackle in the backfield, then broke free into the end zone to put the Orange on top 10-9 in the third quarter.
It was all Northwestern from there, with a third-down pass-interference call in the end zone leading to a TD reception for Sutton to regain a 16-10 lead.
Smith's interception return and Bacher's third touchdown pass set up a stress-free fourth quarter. And any quarter like that is an A in Bacher's book.
"We're going to be able to put up a lot more yards, a lot more points," Bacher said. "There's only up to go from what we did today."