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The
Edge
Passing offense
TCU
Senior Sean Stilley proved effective in TCU’s season
opener, completing 20 of 31 passes for 253 yards. Senior
Adrian Madise’s physical strength showed against
Cincinnati’s secondary, as most of his 51 yards
were after the catch. Stilley was successful in finding
senior tight end Quint Ellis up the middle and Corey
Connally, a junior, out of the backfield.
Northwestern
The starting quarterback job is in question after sophomore
Tony Stauss completed just five of 10 passes for 23
yards against Air Force. Freshman Brett Basanez threw
for 159 yards in relief. Junior Kunle Patrick is Northwestern’s
leading returning receiver, though he caught just three
balls for 20 yards against Air Force.
Edge: TCU
Rushing offense
TCU
Connally rushed 22 times for 91 yards. However, TCU’s
rushing offense failed to grind out important yards
for first downs against a tired Cincinnati defense in
the fourth quarter.
Northwestern
Against an undersized Air Force defense, the Wildcats
only managed 37 yards on 27 carries. Northwestern’s
line is anchored by senior guard Jeff Roehl, an Outland
Trophy candidate, and senior center Austin King, an
All-American candidate.
Edge: TCU
Passing defense
TCU
TCU turned in a Jekyll and Hyde performance in their
opener. The Frogs secondary picked off Cincinnati sophomore
Gino Guidugli four times. In the fourth quarter, the
defensive line was unable to pressure Guidugli and the
secondary failed to wrap up receivers leading to unnecessary
yards after catch.
Northwestern
The Wildcat secondary faced few passes against the triple
option of Air Force. Senior cornerback Raheem Covington
is questionable with a concussion.
Edge: TCU
Rushing defense
TCU
The Frogs held Cincinnati to 3.3 yards a carry, most
of which were gained in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Junior Chad Pugh should return to the starting lineup.
Northwestern
It’s hard to win games when you give up 474 yards
rushing and 6.5 yards a carry. Senior linebacker Pat
Durr will miss the game with a sprained knee. Northwestern
starts three freshmen and five sophomores on defense.
Edge: TCU
Special teams
TCU
Junior Nick Browne set a team record with five field
goals made in a game. Senior Joey Biasatti consistently
made punts hard to return for Cincinnati. Senior speedsters
Terran Williams and LaTarence Dunbar racked up 185 return
yards.
Northwestern
They did get many opportunities to work on their kick
returns after giving up 52 points to Air Force. Senior
kicker David Wasielewski is a transfer from the University
of Florida. Sophomore punter Brian Huffman had the highlight
of Northwestern’s defeat with an 87 yard punt.
Edge: TCU
Intangibles
TCU
TCU will enter Evanston, Ill., eager to prove the team’s
fourth quarter meltdown was an abberation. The potential
for the team to wear down is there as this game is only
five days after Cincinnati
Northwestern
Northwestern students are not in session yet to root
on their team. Dating back to last year, Northwestern
has lost eight of its last nine games.
Edge: TCU
Prediction: TCU 31, Northwestern 10
— Jay Zuckerman
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