[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ive games into the season for Northwestern (5-0, 1-0 in the Big Ten) and what are we looking at here?
We are looking at a dominating defensive squad who just marked the Wildcats second shutout of the season. We are looking at an offense led by freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson and a 5-0 start. We are looking at a vaunted rushing attack that chalked up another 180+ yards on the ground.
All this added up to a 27-0 shutout win at home against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2, 0-1).
The Wildcat defense has allowed a grand total of three touchdowns in five games. They also shut down the Golden Gophers on all four of their fourth down conversion attempts. They forced Minnesota into two turnovers and seven punts.
“We made a statement to the whole Big Ten, but there’s seven games left and right now, this is just one step,” Wildcat senior defensive end Dean Lowry stated.
Wildcat linebacker Anthony Walker picked up a fumble forced by defense tackle Tyler Lancaster and Walker scampered 13 yards for a touchdown.
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said about his defense, “From an energy standpoint, I think the guys are having a lot of fun.” “They’re in a good place mentally.”
Thorson completed 14 of his 19 attempts for 128 yards on the day. He also ran 11 times for 24 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Running back Justin Jackson carried the rock 20 times for 120 yards as the offense collected 184 yards on the ground.
Northwestern is clicking on all facets of the game so far in this young season. As Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said, “They don’t make mistakes, they do their job.”
This 5-0 start has the Wildcats again tied on top of the Big Ten West standings with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Wildcats travel to the Big House of the #22 Michigan Wolverines this saturday afternoon for a Big Ten road showdown.
