Comeback from the brink: Northwestern downs Indiana 29-28

The first 23 minutes at Ryan Field were almost too absurd for Northwestern to process.

As Indiana kick returner Ray Fisher danced 91 yards for a score that gave the Hoosiers a 28-3 lead midway through the second quarter, NU fifth-year senior Andrew Brewer tried to grasp the concept of the season's biggest deficit.

"It's kind of like, 'What are we doing here? Let's play to the way we know we're capable of playing.' " Brewer said. "For some reason this season, we're starting out late and having some tremendous finishes."

But none as good as Saturday's. In fact, there never had been one this good in Northwestern's 126-season history.

Stefan Demos drilled a 19-yard field goal from the left hash mark with 21 seconds left to deliver a 29-28 Big Ten triumph for 24,364 celebrating homecoming.

"I'm doing my part to fill up Ryan Field," joked NU coach Pat Fitzgerald. "If you want entertaining collegiate football, come on out to Evanston on Saturdays."

Indeed, nearly three years from the day when Northwestern set an NCAA Div. I-A record by coughing up a 35-point lead to Michigan State, the Wildcats' rally from a 25-point deficit eclipsed the program's 21-point comebacks against Minnesota in 2000 and 2007.

It happened despite 3 second-half interceptions by Mike Kafka, who had thrown just 1 interception in his previous 178 passes.

It happened with significant help from third-stringers like running back Scott Concannon (16 carries, 73 yards) and walk-on cornerback Ricky Weina, who were thrust into unprecedented roles because of multiple injuries.

It happened with a stirring halftime speech from senior defensive end Corey Wootton, the co-captain and preseason All-American who put aside knee and ankle miseries to play as much as he could.

"We've done (the speeches) before," Wootton said. "But I think this one meant more because this was one of the most important games we've played this season. It was a really defining game for us."

Northwestern (5-3, 2-2) and Indiana entered the game with the same record and with the same three BCS Top 25 teams still to play.

The team that lost would face an arduous road to bowl eligibility - and Northwestern looked like that team from the start.

Indiana's Darius Willis dashed 70 yards around right end for a score on the first play from scrimmage.

Fisher's 39-punt return set up a short touchdown drive, then Fisher's 91-yard kick return (virtually untouched) made it 28-3 with 7:32 left in the first half.

The Wildcats regained momentum with two long touchdown drives before halftime - capped by Zeke Markshausen's 8-yard catch in the corner of the end zone with seven seconds left.

Northwestern took its first two second-half drives inside Indiana's 40, but came away with nothing.

Then came Weina's first star turns of his career. First, playing for injured cornerback Sherrick McManis, the sophomore walk-on left his man to break up a bomb intended for Tandon Doss.

Two snaps later, Weina flew in untouched to block Chris Hagerup's punt for a safety that cut the deficit to 28-19.

"That was a great scheme," Weina said. "Actually, it hit me up on my arms. I kind of was surprised how fast I got in there."

After Northwestern's defense held on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Kafka finished a quick 98-yard drive with a 51-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Brewer.

The Wildcats' next drive ended with Kafka's third interception in 10 attempts, but they regained the ball at their own 33 with 7:04 to go.

Concannon hit the right side three times for 32 yards to start the march. Kafka hit Brewer for 6 yards to convert a fourth-and-3. Then Jeravin Matthews took a draw 15 yards on third-and-7 to ensure the Wildcats were in field-goal range.

Demos' 19-yard attempt came from the left hash and was complicated by a stiff crosswind sweeping the field from right to left. Or not.

"From 19, I'm aiming right down the middle," Demos said.

And right through the Hoosiers' hearts.

"It hurts, no question," said Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell. "We let it get away, but give Northwestern credit. They never quit - like we knew they wouldn't."