OSU vs. Northwestern Preview Part 2

OSU vs. Northwestern, November 11, 3:36 PMABC-Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Bob Griese and Paul Maguire (experts) and Bonnie Bernstein on the sideline

Scouting the Wildcats
Northwestern comes into this game with a 3-7 record (1-5 Big Ten.) They have wins at Miami (OH), against Eastern Michigan and at Iowa. They have loses to New Hampshire, at Nevada, at Penn State, at Wisconsin and to Purdue. Their single win in the Big Ten was against Iowa last week, 21-7. In that game the Wildcats were led by QB Bacher throwing for 218 yards and one touchdown, along with running back Tyrell Sutton gaining 168 yards and one touchdown. Northwestern pulled off the upset with 225 yards on the ground with a total of 443 yards.
The Wildcats average 307 yards/game with a balanced 150 yards receiving and passing. The defense allows 24.4 points/game with 364.6 yards/game, 219 passing and 145 rushing.

Quarterbacks
Going into this season, the Wildcats had to replace NU all-time passing leader Brett Basanez. Mike Kafka started in the beginning of the season, but he injured his leg in the second half of the Nevada game. Red-shirt sophomore CJ Bacher took his place and has been the starer for the rest of the season. Bacher has thrown for over 200-yards in all three of his games. Bacher is 56 of 103 for 691 yards, with four touchdowns and six interceptions.

Running Back
Akron native (former Mr. Football in Ohio), Tyrell Sutton returns after 1,475 yards in his freshman year. So far this season he has 833 rushing yards and 180 passing yards.

Receivers
Senior Shaun Herbert is #5 all-time for NW in career receptions and receiving yardage. Herbert leads the team with 360 yards. A the other spots are sophomores Eric Peterman and Ross Lane.

Kickers
Joel Howells is 5 for 9 on field goals with a long of 43. Slade Larsheid averages 38 yards/punt.

O-Line
Lining up at center is junior Trevor Rees, at guards are junior Adam Crum and senior Joe Tropdi and at tackles are senior Ryan Keenan and junior Dylan Thiry. Keenan has been in for veteran Austin Matthews, who has been out with injuries. In total there have been eight starters in this unit throughout this season.

Linebackers
Junior middle linebacker Adam Kaedla leads the team with 66 tackles. At Will is junior Eddie Simpson and at Sam is senior Demetrius Eaton. Nick Roach had started the season at outside linebacker, but in the Michigan State game he had a career ending broken leg injury. Simpson took Roach's spot.

Defensive Backs
At the corners are freshman Sherrick McManis and junior Deante Battle. At free safety is junior Reggie McPherson and at strong safety is sophomore Brendan Smith. McPherson leads the team with seven pass deflections. McManis has been named the special teams player of the week for five straight weeks, for his kick returns.

D-Line
Defensive end redshirt freshman Corey Wooten leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. At the other end is sophomore Kevin Mims. At tackles are redshirt freshman Adam Hahn and sophomore John Gill.