Northwestern
Wildcats

As for the three straight non-losing seasons? That hasn't happened since 1958-1960 when Ara Parseghian ran the program.

With that serving as the background, it's little wonder Fitzgerald wants to use Saturday's regular-season finale against No. 16 Wisconsin at Ryan Field as a chance to fete his 21 seniors. Each of them chose to attend Northwestern when Randy Walker was the head coach and Fitzgerald the recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach -- and each handled the emotional transition after the 52-year-old Walker suffered a fatal heart attack on June 29, 2006.

"The foundation of success that they've laid is unparalleled in our university's history," Fitzgerald said. "You look at the adversity they've had to overcome throughout their four years and it's just been remarkable."

Two of the fifth-year seniors -- defensive end Corey Wootton and safety Brendan Smith -- can say they're the first Wildcats to play on three NU teams that went to bowls. As true freshmen, they both started games for the 2005 team that earned a Sun Bowl bid.

The Wildcats don't know their bowl destination this season, though the Champs Sports Bowl and Insight Bowl are leading candidates at this point, but they do know what they want to do when they get there.

"Hopefully we'll be able to win a bowl game, something we haven't done since 1949," Wootton said in the Chicago Tribune. "That would be a tremendous legacy."

SERIES HISTORY: Wisconsin leads 55-32-5 (last meeting, 2006, 41-9 Wisconsin).

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Northwestern is going to throw the ball as much as Wisconsin plans to run it -- the Wildcats are No. 2 in the league in passing attempts with 412 -- but the team has done a better job lately of rushing the ball even though starting QB Mike Kafka's hamstring prevented him from running the last two weeks. The Wildcats are running back-by-committee as Arby Fields handles the outside stuff, Jacob Schmidt does the inside stuff and Scott Concannon and Stephen Simmons can do either. Kafka's favorite target is former walk-on Zeke Markshausen, who has made 76 of his 77 career catches this year. Those 76 grabs rank fifth on NU's all-time list.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Northwestern's 4-3 attack has saved its best for last, despite the fact senior safety Brendan Smith (thumb) has missed most of the last half of the year and senior safety Brad Phillips has missed plays and series in each game for various injuries that he continues to play through. Senior CB Sherrick McManis locks down one side of the field while defensive tackles Corbin Bryant, Adam Hahn and Marshall Thomas have improved steadily during the season. The Wildcats forced 6 turnovers in the wins at Iowa and Illinois.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Mike's done a tremendous job. He's given us an opportunity to win in every game he's played and I believe he's playing quarterback as well as anybody in this conference, maybe in the country. You look at a quarterback who makes the other 10 guys on the field better and that's Mike Kafka." -- Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB Mike Kafka -- The fifth-year senior remains No. 2 on the Big Ten's total-offense list with 256.4 yards per game, which is one argument for all-conference consideration. He also has accounted for 17 touchdowns, including a team-high seven rushing scores. Kafka hasn't thrown an interception since the Oct. 24 comeback win over Indiana.

DE Corey Wootton -- The fifth-year senior has overcome knee and ankle problems to put a fast finish on his college career. Wootton didn't have any sacks in the first seven games, but he owns three in the last four weeks. The future NFL player already has put his name in the school record book with 47 career starts.

LB Quentin Davie -- The junior weak-side linebacker has stuffed the stat sheet for the Wildcats. He leads the team in tackles (79), tackles for loss (8), sacks (4) and quarterback hurries (6). He also has forced 3 fumbles, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass.

ROSTER REPORT:

--QB Mike Kafka (left hamstring) hasn't done any of his usual quarterback runs in the last two games, but he says he's getting closer to 100 percent each week.

--QB Dan Persa (right hand) played approximately 10 snaps in a reverse role at Illinois, but didn't throw the ball. Presumably he'll have the same role this week against Saturday.

--S Brendan Smith (broken thumb) has missed four of the last five games and coach Pat Fitzgerald doesn't expect the senior co-captain to appear on Senior Day, either.