Northwestern impressed many by opening the season 31-27 victory at Purdue, but then stumbled by losing at home to 4-1 Duke and 2-2 Akron. The last two weeks, though, the Wildcats scared Michigan 20-17 in a game that NW led most of the day and then upset Michigan State 29-19 last Saturday.
Quarterback Clayton Thorson has started all five games for Northwestern, completing over 62% of his passes, averaging 260 yards per game with six touchdowns and five interceptions on the season. Thorson’s top receiving targets are receivers Flynn Nagel (36 catches, 402 yards) and Bennett Skowronek (22 catches, 257 yards, one touchdown) and “superback” Cameron Green (26 catches, 259 yards, three touchdowns).