Drake Dunsmore News

The Northwestern Wildcats had nine lives. The problem was, they needed 10 -- or at least two more yards.

The 54-51 win over Michigan in 2000. The win at Minnesota on "Victory Right" the week before that.

How many lives do cats have, anyway? Not enough, as Northwestern's Wildcats ran out Friday.

Outback BowlNorthwestern vs. Auburn WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.TV: ESPNWHAT TO WATCH: Northwestern, seeking its first bowl victory since 1948, won its final three games, including triumphs at Iowa and Illinois.

Northwestern's Sherrick McManis, left, breaks up a pass intended for Iowa's Marvin McNutt, right, during the first half.

Dan Persa threw a touchdown pass and Marshall Thomas recovered a fumble for another touchdown, and Northwestern snapped No.

Apparently the only way Northwestern knows how to play is either to grab an early lead and watch it disappear or to get in a deep hole in the first half and rally for the win.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg Northwestern has issued its official injury report for Saturday's game against No.

In two years of covering Northwestern football, I haven't seen a practice as physical as last Wednesday's. Most teams only hit on Tuesday.

Northwestern led 7-0, got the ball to start the second half and quickly moved into MSU territory.

Michigan State's Blair White escapes the grasp of Northwestern's Quentin Williams on a pass reception in the third quarter.

Sophomore superback Drake Dunsmore is one of several NU players whose fathers played in the NFL.

Quarterback Mike Kafka ran for two touchdowns and Northwestern's defense came up with four turnovers Saturday as the Wildcats beat winless Miami of Ohio 16-6. Northwestern overcame a sluggish performance by its own offense, sacking Miami quarterback Zac Dysert seven times - five in the first half - and intercepting him three times.

Northwestern notched its first Big Ten win of the 2009 season and held on to win against Purdue by a final score of 27-21 . After allowing Purdue to score touchdowns on their first three possessions, the Northwestern defense came up with some big turnovers as the 'Cats clawed their way back, taking the lead with just over two minutes to play.

SU enters Saturday's game against Maine ranked No. 19 nationally in run defense.

After his coming out party at Syracuse last Saturday night, superback Drake Dunsmore should be licking his chops to face Minnesota.

Ryan Lichtenstein nailed a 41-yard field goal as time expired to lead the Syracuse Orange to a 37-34 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in a non-conference showdown at the Carrier Dome.

To play at Northwestern means never having to deal with too many outside expectations, though that's a mindset Pat Fitzgerald believes he's helping to change.

To play at Northwestern means never having to deal with too many outside expectations, though that's a mindset Pat Fitzgerald believes he's helping to change.