By Steve SilverThe Daily Northwestern

Just one year ago, Northwestern found itself trailing Iowa by 13 points with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

The Wildcats pulled off an improbable comeback, scoring 14 points in 88 seconds to clip the Hawkeyes 28-27 and improve to a bowl-eligible record of 6-3.

But this season has lacked the usual “comeback Cats” magic, as NU dwells in the cellar of the Big Ten at 2-7. The Cats will travel to Iowa City, Iowa, for their final road trip this Saturday in search of their first conference victory.

“I don’t know if it is (a rivalry game), but I would like for it to be,” said sophomore safety Brendan Smith, who has recorded 57 total tackles and two interceptions this season. “I would like to go out in my four years here with four wins over them.”

The last time the Cats beat the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium was in 1996, when Gary Barnett was the head coach and Pat Fitzgerald was playing linebacker.

This year’s trip will not provide an opportunity for an easy win as Iowa boasts a top-50 offense and defense.

Senior quarterback Drew Tate and junior running back Albert Young lead the Big Ten’s third most potent offense.

Tate, ranked 15th in the nation, has completed 138 of 233 passes for 1,678 yards and 11 touchdowns. Young was a preseason second-team All-Big Ten selection.

But both have been hampered by injuries this season, with Young being held to just 454 yards on the season.

Tate might not be at full strength Saturday as he faces an NU defense ranked 91st in total defense.

Tate underwent surgery last week to repair injured ligaments in his non-throwing hand. He hurt his left thumb while playing at Michigan on Oct. 21 and he sat out last week’s contest against Northern Illinois.

Tate is expected to start against the Cats this week, but he will be wearing a protective brace on his left hand.

“Drew Tate is their starter,” Fitzgerald said. “Drew is a great player. I’ve known about him for a long time.”

Sophomore quarterback C.J. Bach