Defense delivers with 8 sacks
MADISON – Northwestern quarterback
Clayton Thorson might need a massage and some time off this week.
The Wildcats entered the Big Ten opener against No. 10 Wisconsin on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium having allowed a total of seven sacks in three games.
UW’s defense came in with eight sacks in three games.
With senior outside linebacker Garret Dooley leading the way with three sacks, UW put Thorson on his back eight times Saturday.
The last time UW recorded eight sacks in a game was in 2001 against Penn State.
“It’s just something that we’ve emphasized over the last two weeks, getting after the quarterback,” Dooley said. “Our coaches did a really good job of dialing up new pressures we haven’t done and those hit home today, and everybody just did their job well and we were able to get after the quarterback.”
Safety D’Cota Dixon brought down Thorson in the end zone for a safety in the final minute and finished with 11⁄2 sacks. Linebacker Chris Orr, defensive ends Alec James and
Isaiahh Loudermilk had one apiece and safety Natrell Jamerson was credited with one-half sack.
Thorson at times held onto the ball longer than he should have, but there were other times UW defenders collapsed the pocket and left him little room to escape.
"I've got to look at the tape because if you’re holding the ball because nobody's open, it’s a combination of us making him successful as coaches,” Northwestern coach Pat
Fitzgerald said. “We have to put him in better situations and that’s protections, it’s calls, it’s routes, schematics.
“We have to protect better, we’ve got to get open and he’s got to get it out of his hands, so that's the whole thing with the passing game.” Hornibrook shoulders
blame: Redshirt sophomore quarterback Alex
Hornibrook completed 5 of 11 passes for 48 yards, with two interceptions, in the opening half. He was much more effective after halftime when he completed 6 of 9 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown.
“I think we had a fire lit from underneath us,” Hornibrook said. “Things didn't go so well for us in the first half, but we were able to turn that around and execute.”
Hornibrook accepted responsibility for both interceptions, a deep sideline throw for Danny Davis and a deep throw down the middle to Penniston.
Cichy speaks; pals listen: Redshirt senior linebacker Jack Cichy, out for the season because of a knee injury suffered in camp, shared a few choice words with his teammates in the locker room at halftime with UW down, 10-7.
“People forget that Cichy is a leader and captain on this team, a guy who’s not going to go away,” inside linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “He knew we were making mental errors that we don’t normally make. It was a good spark to have.”
Extra points: Northwestern became the first team to score in the second half against UW this season . ...
UW has held its opponent below the 100-yard mark in rushing in 11 of the last 17 games. UW is 10-1 in those games. …