Wildcats expecting physical game with Iowa

If college games ended after three quarters this year, then Northwestern's record would be 5-3-1.

Iowa would be 4-4-1 with an embarrassing home loss to Northern Iowa and, presumably, endless calls for Kirk Ferentz' head.

Ah, but there's this little matter known as the fourth quarter.

Throw in the final 15 minutes each Saturday and the Hawkeyes find themselves with a perfect record, the No. 4 spot in the Bowl Championship Series chase and the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated (Midwest editions only).

Meanwhile, Northwestern (5-4) hopes to become bowl-eligible and wants to help the SI cover jinx do its voodoo it does so often.

If the Wildcats pull off the upset today at Kinnick Stadium (11 a.m., ESPN), then they'll have the program's first win over a Top 5 team since 1959.

"We know it's going to be a physical game," said Northwestern left tackle Al Netter, "if not the most physical game of the year. That's the mindset it's going to be going into it."

"One thing we're going to have to stress this week is attacking them and not letting them get to us," said NU middle linebacker Nate Williams.

In other words, Northwestern must play like Iowa.

Junior left tackle Bryan Bulaga, an All-America candidate from Marian Central, doesn't understand why people look at the Hawks' frequent fourth-quarter rallies and chalk them up to being "charmed" or "lucky."

"I'd say resilient," Bulaga said. "We're a resilient team."

Iowa's depth chart features 10 players from Illinois - none of them more resilient than Wheaton Warrenville South graduates Dace Richardson and Tony Moeaki.

Richardson, whose career was considered over 18 months ago due to chronic knee problems, returned to the offensive line and earned a spot on Phil Steele's midseason All-America team.

Shortly after that, though, Richardson broke his leg and won't return until Iowa's bowl game.

Then there's Moeaki, an all-Big Ten-caliber tight end who has missed 15 of Iowa's last 30 games with a vast array of injuries.

The fifth-year senior had terrific games last month against Michigan and Wisconsin - posting 9 catches for 160 yards and 3 scores - but has been quiet since.

"A couple different things happen (coverage-wise)," Moeaki said. "Some teams have bracketed me. Some double teams. It just opens up things a little more for everyone else."

Including wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, who finds himself on the Sports Illustrated cover this week (along with 2007 Mundelein High School grad Wade Leppert, who was paving his path).

Northwestern (5-4, 3-2) at Iowa (9-0, 5-0)

When: 11 a.m. at Kinnick Stadium

TV: ESPN; Radio: WGN 720-AM, WNUR 89.1-FM

Series: Iowa leads 46-21-3.

Coaches: Pat Fitzgerald (24-22, fourth year at NU); Kirk Ferentz (79-53, 11th year at Iowa; 91-74 overall).

Players to watch: Northwestern senior QB Mike Kafka (hamstring) wasn't on the school's official injury list released Thursday, which doesn't necessarily mean he'll start. He is, however, the Big Ten's leader in total offense (271.4 ypg) and a necessity for victory. WR Zeke Markshausen ranks second nationally in receptions (67), though he's ninth in catches per game (7.4). Senior S Brendan Smith is out after reinjuring his left thumb last week against Penn State.

Iowa senior MLB Pat Angerer (89 tackles, 1 INT) is one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award that goes to the nation's best defensive player. Penn State LB Navorro Bowman, Michigan State LB Greg Jones and Wisconsin DE O'Brien Schofield are the Big Ten's other reps on the list. Junior QB Ricky Stanzi overcame 5 INTs last week, but he owns 2,052 yards, 14 TDs and 13 picks for the year. True freshman Brandon Wegher took over at RB last week and posted 118 yards and 3 TDs.

The skinny: Iowa has won 13 games in a row, though the Hawkeyes have either trailed or been tied in the fourth quarter in four of their last six games - and five games for the year. Iowa gets things done by winning the turnover battle (plus-8 for the year), keeping opponents from moving the ball through the air (No. 3 nationally in pass efficiency defense) and making the plays in the clutch. Northwestern moves best with its short and intermediate passing game, but Mike Kafka has the experience to make the quick reads necessary to make it go. Sophomore backup Dan Persa has just 25 career attempts under his belt - and an admitted tendency to tuck the ball and run. If he starts, it'll be intriguing to see if Iowa's defensive line goes on an all-out pass rush like Penn State did last week.