PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Clayton Thorson completed 12 of 18 pass attempts for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for a score in Northwestern’s 24-16 win against Illinois last Saturday, marking his fifth game of the season with at least three total touchdowns. Thorson will need to lead the offense in a similar fashion against Ohio State on Saturday.
–LB Paddy Fisher had four total tackles against Illinois, including one for a loss, and is the Wildcats’ second-leading tackler with 92. He also leads the team in forced fumbles with three, making him a significant factor in Saturday’s game if he can help Northwestern win the turnover battle.
–RB Isaiah Bowser rushed 18 times for a career-best 166 yards against Illinois, marking his fourth 100-yard game in six appearances as the team’s primary ball carrier. Bowser leads the team in rushing with 736 yards on 161 carries and six touchdowns and will need to play his best game yet against the Buckeyes to help control time of possession.
–DE Joe Gaziano has 37 tackles this season, including a team-best 11 for loss, as well as six sacks and eight quarterback hurries. Gaziano will be tasked with pressuring the Buckeyes’ dynamic and elusive quarterback Dwayne Haskins, and his ability to do so will be a crucial factor in the outcome of Saturday’s game.
SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads Northwestern 61-14-1 and has won the past six matchups, most recently a 24-20 victory on Oct. 29, 2016, in Columbus.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Scary. Three backs, really, that can score if you miss a gap or miss a tackle. Every receiver can catch a hitch and take it to the house. They’ve gotten the tight ends a little more involved as of late, and they’re very dynamic. Very, very physical and massive up front. … It’s a group that has depth. They roll a lot of receivers. They play multiple backs, they play multiple tight ends, they’re obviously playing a little bit of a wildcat package in the tight zone too, so they’ve got a lot of complexity.” –Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald on Ohio State’s offensive scheme
