For the fifth consecutive year, the Wildcats started the season with a win. This year, they did so in record-breaking fashion.
Northwestern’s 47-14 trouncing of Towson was its largest margin of victory since a 49-14 defeat of Michigan State in 2005. In addition, NU’s 47 points amounted to its most points in a season opener since 1944, when it beat DePauw 62-0.
While the Cats lost 80 percent of their receiving and 70 percent of their rushing yardage from last season, it was the offense that led the way on Saturday. Quarterback Mike Kafka and company recorded 485 yards of total offense, their highest total since racking up 516 against Eastern Michigan in 2007.
NU rushed out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead thanks to three rushing touchdowns, the highest opening quarter offensive output since 2005. Sophomore Jacob Schmidt pounded the ball in from two yards out less than six minutes into the game, and freshman Arby Fields added two more scores in the last four minutes of the first quarter. In total, NU rushed for 221 yards and five touchdowns, the most scores on the ground since tallying six in a contest with Navy in 2002. Not to be outdone, sophomore Scott Concannon managed to record two touchdowns for the Cats.
Junior tailback Stephen Simmons led all running backs with 18 carries for 77 yards. Thanks to 82 kickoff return yards and eight receiving yards, Simmons compiled a career best 167 all-purpose yards. Six different players ran the ball at least four times, a number that could have been higher had sophomore Jeravin Matthews not left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
“We can all help this team in different ways,” said Fields of the running backs. “With the rotation we have now, for Scott and myself, it was the first time for both of us being in the arena running the ball, it was exciting. Steph (Simmons), Jacob (Schmidt), myself and Scott were all cheering each other on. We all want each other to do well.”
While the Cats hit the ground running early, their biggest play of the first half came through the air. With 12:44 left in the second quarter, backup quarterback Dan Persa, a sophomore, nailed senior wide receiver Andrew Brewer over the middle for a 72-yard touchdown strike. It was a proud moment for the former signal caller.
“I had a couple (touchdowns) rushing the ball as a quarterback,” he said. “But praise God I’m excited to get out and actually play and get in the end zone for the first time.”
Brewer was also Kafka’s favorite target on the day, as they connected on passes for 73 yards. Kafka lit up the Tigers’ secondary for a career-best 192 passing yards.
“We just took what the defense gave us,” Kafka said. “That’s our offense-we’re going to take what they give us, progress the ball, manage the game and take care of the football.”
As the offense was moving the ball down the field, defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz’ crew held firm. While the unit did not attack like it did last year, and only recorded one sack, the Cats limited the Tigers to two drives of 50-plus yards. Towson did not move the chains until 20 seconds remaining in the opening period. NU’s defense was especially tough on the ground, holding Towson to 65 rushing yards. Junior linebacker Quentin Davie led the crew with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
After Towson safety Raymond White picked off a Persa pass with nine minutes left in the half, the Tigers marched 78 yards downfield for their first score of the game.
Saturday also marked the much-hyped return of senior defensive end Corey Wootton. After tearing his right ACL in the Alamo Bowl last year, Wootton sat out spring practice and was held back for much of the summer. Wootton played for one quarter, and while he didn’t stuff the stat pack, Fitzgerald was pleased with his performance.
“I thought Corey played fast today, ” Fitzgerald said. “I thought he did well. I thought all through camp he looked ahead of schedule. He’s going to continue to improve, and I expect him to have a big year this year.”
Redshirt freshman Quentin Williams filled in nicely for Wootton, recording two tackles and one interception.
On the day, NU totaled six penalties for 45 yards, something Fitzgerald said the team will work on before next week’s matchup with Eastern Michigan.
“The turnover, not responding properly, the penalties, those are things we can definitely correct, those things that are in our control,” Fitzgerald coach said.
NU is now unbeaten is each of Fitzgerald’s four season openers and is 11-4 in the opening game of the year since 1995.
Read more about the game at Cats’ Corner.
