The Northwestern Wildcats, who entered their home meeting with the #14 Michigan Wolverines as two touchdown underdogs, went up 17-0 before eventually falling 20-17. Instead of doing a traditional game recap, we’re just going to post a revised version of our updates that we did for CBS Sports national radio “Eye on College Football.”
Before calling in our updates, we typed out what we were going to read, and here are those updates, in order, pretty much unabridged, but sometimes slightly revised. A game like this is the classic narrative of a moment shift, because you saw a team with a 17-0 advantage slowly yield to a 20-17 deficit and thus defeat.
Early first quarter:
Technically, it’s a road game for #14 Michigan, but it feels like a home contest as majority of the crowd at Ryan Field in Evanston is wearing maize and blue. However, early on it’s the home fans, clad in purple, who have had more to cheer about as Northwestern scored a touchdown on their opening drive. After Michigan went three and out on their opening drive, Northwestern responded with a 6 play, 56 yard drive that was capped off by a 1 yard td run by quarterback Clayton Thorson.
Early second quarter:
The first quarter could not have got any better for the underdog Northwestern Wildcats against #14 Michigan.
The Cats defense forced the Michigan offense into two three-and-outs while the NU offense scored has scored on both of their opening possessions. Northwestern kicker Charlie Kuhbandher kicker a career best 45 yard field goal, stretching the Wildcats lead to 10-0.
Mid second quarter:
Northwestern has added on to their lead with a 9 play 52 yard drive that consumed 3:20. The drive was capped off with a 3 yard touchdown run by John Moten, who took over as the Wildcats’ new starting tailback this week when Jeremy Larkin medically retired from football. It’s all Northwestern thus far here in Evanston, as the Cats lead 17-0 with to go in the half.
Late second quarter:
After a one-sided first quarter, #14 Michigan has fought their way back into into this one. The Wolverines got their first points of the game on a 4 yard touchdown run by Karan Higdon, the game’s leading rusher with 65 yard on 9 carries
Higdon’s score and the ensuing extra point made the score 17-7, which is where we stand right now.
Halftime
There could be a major upset brewing in Evanston as Northwestern has been in control at home against #14 Michigan since the opening kickoff. The Wildcats will begin the second half with a 10 point lead, as redshirt senior quarterback Clayton Thorson has led the way, completing 9 of 13 passes for 103 yards and scoring a rushing touchdown. Michigan have been somewhat able to get their ground game going as they have 89 yards rushing on 6.4 yards per carry, but they have also been their own worst enemy in this one.
The Wolverines’ have racked up 6 penalties for 65 yards, and that was arguably the key stat of the first half.
Midway through the third quarter
Northwestern, who entered this contest as double digit underdogs, hold a 7 point lead on 14 Michigan. The Wolverines have a decisive 223-177 advantage in total yardage, but a 17-10 deficit on the scoreboard. Third down has not been kind to the Michigan offense, as they have converted just three in nine opportunities. QB Shea Patterson and company will need too improve upon that stat if that are to emerge victorious in this one.
Additionally, the Wolverines will now have to deal with the loss of stellar defensive end Rashan Gary, who just left the game due to an injury on the last defensive series. No official word yet on if he’ll return to this one.
Early fourth quarter
Northwestern, who once led this game 17-0, have seen their advantage dwindle down to just four here in Evanston, as #14 Michigan dominated the third quarter. The Michigan defense held the Wildcats to just 24 total yards in the period, while the Wolverines offense held the ball for more than twice as much time of possession as the hosts.
Michigan kicker Quinn Nordin converted two field goals, from 23 and 24 yards out, to pull Michigan within four It’s 17-13 with 13:44 left to play in Evanston.
Mid fourth quarter
Northwestern’s bend-but-don’t break defense has provided them a chance to pull off a major upset over the nation’s 14th ranked team here in Evanston. The visiting Wolverines have outgained the hosts by over 100 yards of total offense, but they have found the end zone just once and thus trail Northwestern 17-13.
With just under 10 minutes to go, Michigan has the ball, down by four, and thus it’s anybody’s ballgame.
And that was it, the show ended at 8pm EST so I wasn’t able to do an update after Michigan took the lead, and won.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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