Defense leads Cats to sound victory over Orange: NU 30, Syracuse 10
Sunday, August 31st, 2008Syracuse quarterback Andrew Robinson dropped back, looked left and with his eyes fixed on his receiver, fired toward the sideline.
Northwestern safety Brendan Smith read the play all the way. The redshirt junior swooped in, picked off the throw and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown, putting the Wildcats ahead 23-10 with 2:13 left in the third quarter of their 30-10 victory.
But the play meant more than just a 13-point-cushion. It symbolized something bigger - that the Wildcats defense might show some teeth this season, thanks to the hiring of highly respected defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz.
Loading ...
| 1. Alabama 11-0 |
| 2. Florida 10-1 |
| 3. Oklahoma 10-1 |
| 4. Texas 10-1 |
| 5. USC 9-1 |
| 6. Penn State 11-1 |
| 7. Texas Tech 10-1 |
| 8. Utah 12-0 |
| 9. Boise State 11-0 |
| 10. Ohio State 10-2 |
| 11. Oklahoma State 9-2 |
| 12. Missouri 9-2 |
| 13. Georgia 9-2 |
| 14. TCU 10-2 |
| 15. Ball State 11-0 |
| 16. Cincinnati 9-2 |
| 17. Oregon State 8-3 |
| 18. Georgia Tech 8-3 |
| 19. Oregon 8-3 |
| 20. Boston College 8-3 |
| 21. Brigham Young 10-2 |
| 22. Michigan State 9-3 |
| 23. Florida State 8-3 |
| 24. Northwestern 9-3 |
| 25. Mississippi 7-4 |
-As of Nov. 23, 2008
| Team | CONF | ALL |
| *-PSU | 6-1 | 10-1 |
| *-OSU | 6-1 | 9-2 |
| *-MSU | 6-1 | 9-2 |
| *-NU | 4-3 | 8-3 |
| *-IOWA | 4-3 | 8-3 |
| *-MINN | 3-3 | 6-4 |
| ILL | 3-4 | 5-6 |
| *-WISC | 3-5 | 6-5 |
| x-Michigan | 2-5 | 3-8 |
| x-IND | 1-6 | 3-8 |
| x-PUR | 1-6 | 3-8 |
*-bowl eligible
x-cannot become bowl eligible
Loading ...All content copyright 2008 The Daily Northwestern. Site design by Fletcher/Giglio Blog Consulting