Iceland12
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It might help the Gophers cool Northwestern’s red-hot offensive trio of quarterback Clayton Thorson, wide receiver Austin Carr and running back Justin Jackson...
Of course, Northwestern is used to the chill winds that blow off Lake Michigan. Pat Fitzgerald’s team (5-5, 4-3 Big Ten) has proven resilient, bouncing back from season-opening losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State..
Northwestern scored 38 points against Iowa, 54 against Michigan State and 45 against Purdue. This is the offense Fitzgerald dreamed of last season when his team went 10-3 despite ranking last in the Big Ten in scoring offense (19.5).
Thorson has blossomed as a sophomore, ranking third in the Big Ten in passing yards (2,571). Carr is the Big Ten’s leading receiver and the only player in the country with at least five receptions and 73 receiving yards in every game.
Then there’s Jackson, a junior who rushed for 127 yards against Purdue last week, becoming the first player in Northwestern history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark three times.
“We’re going to have to control Justin Jackson and keep him from having a big day,” Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said. “And if we do that, then I think we’ll have an opportunity to win.”
Northwestern’s entire offense slows when Jackson stalls. He had just 42 yards against Illinois State, and the same number in a 21-7 loss to Wisconsin. Nebraska (79) and Ohio State (76) also held him under 100 yards in those Northwestern losses..
Northwestern’s defense showed the same teeth it had last season when it blanked Minnesota 27-0. Linebacker Anthony Walker is a first-team All-Big Ten player. Safety Godwin Igwebuike is the conference’s fourth-leading tackler. And defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo is tied for the Big Ten lead with eight sacks.
“I think No. 7 [Odenigbo] is just tremendous off the edge,” Gophers offensive coordinator Jay Johnson said. “Might be one of the best pass rushers we’ve seen so far.
“Their front seven is probably the biggest we’ve seen. They’re very stout. They play their gaps, and they’re going to be very sound, so we’ve got to try to create some movement and create some space.”..
http://www.startribune.com/northwes.../?ref=nl&om_rid=AAFNEI&om_mid=_BYLboZB8xYddA5
Of course, Northwestern is used to the chill winds that blow off Lake Michigan. Pat Fitzgerald’s team (5-5, 4-3 Big Ten) has proven resilient, bouncing back from season-opening losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State..
Northwestern scored 38 points against Iowa, 54 against Michigan State and 45 against Purdue. This is the offense Fitzgerald dreamed of last season when his team went 10-3 despite ranking last in the Big Ten in scoring offense (19.5).
Thorson has blossomed as a sophomore, ranking third in the Big Ten in passing yards (2,571). Carr is the Big Ten’s leading receiver and the only player in the country with at least five receptions and 73 receiving yards in every game.
Then there’s Jackson, a junior who rushed for 127 yards against Purdue last week, becoming the first player in Northwestern history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark three times.
“We’re going to have to control Justin Jackson and keep him from having a big day,” Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said. “And if we do that, then I think we’ll have an opportunity to win.”
Northwestern’s entire offense slows when Jackson stalls. He had just 42 yards against Illinois State, and the same number in a 21-7 loss to Wisconsin. Nebraska (79) and Ohio State (76) also held him under 100 yards in those Northwestern losses..
Northwestern’s defense showed the same teeth it had last season when it blanked Minnesota 27-0. Linebacker Anthony Walker is a first-team All-Big Ten player. Safety Godwin Igwebuike is the conference’s fourth-leading tackler. And defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo is tied for the Big Ten lead with eight sacks.
“I think No. 7 [Odenigbo] is just tremendous off the edge,” Gophers offensive coordinator Jay Johnson said. “Might be one of the best pass rushers we’ve seen so far.
“Their front seven is probably the biggest we’ve seen. They’re very stout. They play their gaps, and they’re going to be very sound, so we’ve got to try to create some movement and create some space.”..
http://www.startribune.com/northwes.../?ref=nl&om_rid=AAFNEI&om_mid=_BYLboZB8xYddA5