By Paul M. Banks
From the Football Writers Association of America press release
DALLAS (FWAA) – With their 17-10 win at No. 4 Iowa, the Northwestern Wildcats (6-4) are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for games of the weekend of Nov. 7, as chosen by the board of the Football Writers Association of America. Trailing 10-0, the Wildcats forced four second-quarter turnovers to ignite the rally. Corey Wootton sacked Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi and forced a fumble that was recovered for a touchdown by Marshall Thomas to put Northwestern on the board. Stanzi was injured on the play and did not return to the game.
On Iowa’s next possession, a Quentin Davie interception led to the go-ahead score. Drake Dunsmore caught a 4-yard touchdown pass to cap the drive and give the Wildcats a lead they would not relinquish. The win was Northwestern’s third straight in Iowa City and ended Iowa’s 13-game winning streak.
“We fully expected if we could put together 60 minutes of Wildcat football together in all three phases we’d have an opportunity to compete,” Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said after the game. “And, to our young men’s credit, we did.”
Other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Nov. 7 included:
Navy (7-3): Ricky Dobbs threw a touchdown pass and ran for another as the Midshipmen upset No. 19 Notre Dame, 23-21, in South Bend. The win secured a Texas Bowl berth for the Midshipmen.
Stanford (6-3): Toby Gerhart ran for a school-record 223 yards and three touchdowns as the Cardinal stunned No. 7 Oregon, 51-42.