Poor turnover margin hurting Wildcats
Northwestern's defense saw several bright spots Saturday, none shinier than defensive tackle John Gill.
But run stopping and backfield disruption don't take the place of takeaways. And for the second time this season, the Wildcats failed to force a fumble or an interception and lost the turnover battle 5-0 against Michigan.
NU is tied for 98th nationally in turnover margin at minus-1 per game. The defense has forced no more than 2 turnovers in a game this year.
"We need to get more," said Gill, a junior. "A couple years ago, we were really, really successful in getting turnovers, giving the offense a chance to score."
Gill might be the man to increase the takeaway total. He consistently pierced the Michigan backfield, preventing running back Mike Hart from pounding the middle.
The 6-3, 290-pound Gill finished with a career-high 10 tackles and his second sack of the season. Gill's effort might earn him more playing time, particularly on third down, where NU has struggled.
"When he plays the way he did," coach Pat Fitzgerald said, "he's one of the best players in the Big Ten."
Davie does it: After learning hours before Saturday's game that linebacker Prince Kwateng would be unable to play with an injury, Pat Fitzgerald needed a stand-in pronto. Redshirt freshman Quentin Davie filled the void with 6 tackles and a pass breakup in his first career start.
"He's made more plays in space than a lot of the linebackers have made since way before I was here," Fitzgerald said. "They tried to attack him today."
Notre Dame
Sticking with Jim: Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said it's "probable" that Jimmy Clausen will start next week at UCLA if he's healthy. Clausen left Saturday's game against Purdue with a hip injury late in the third quarter. Weis didn't think Clausen's injury was serious.
Junior Evan Sharpley replaced Clausen and ignited the Notre Dame offense in the fourth quarter.
"To be fair to both Jimmy and Evan, I'm not ready to even worry about that issue," Weis said Sunday. "Jimmy played pretty well. Evan played pretty well. It at least gives me some weapons to work with."
Inches to go: Charlie Weis didn't have an immediate update on starting wide receiver David Grimes, who suffered a sprained right ankle against Purdue. … Rather than use scout teams this week in practice, Notre Dame's first-team offense will run UCLA's plays for the first-team defense and vice-versa. … Notre Dame sophomore punter Eric Maust replaced senior Geoff Price and averaged 44 yards on three punts. … Tom Zbikowski's third-quarter interception against Purdue marked the first pick for the Notre Dame safety since Nov. 12, 2005.