By David MorrisonThe Daily Northwestern
It was the opportunity of a lifetime for the Wildcats.
Northwestern, which had struggled through injuries and inexperience to a 3-7 record this season after going to last year’s Sun Bowl, had the chance to knock off No. 1 Ohio State in front of a sold-out home crowd.
It also had a chance to be the first NU squad to beat a top-ranked team since 1936.
But by repeatedly giving the ball away, NU also gave that chance away.
The Cats turned the ball over five times, which the Buckeyes turned into 34 points in their 54-10 win Saturday.
“You cannot gift-wrap it for them,” NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “Christmas doesn’t come for a month and a half.
“Merry Christmas.”
The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and drove 55 yards on five plays. On a third down, sophomore quarterback C.J. Bach
