Nu, Not Ou, Is Ok, 24-0 Northwestern Shuts Out Oklahoma In Pigskin Classic

Northwestern’s defense didn’t tackle well, giving up big plays all day, especially to elusive Oklahoma running back De’Mond Parker.

But the Wildcats didn’t surrender any points, either, and defeated the Sooners 24-0 Saturday in the Pigskin Classic.

“You come off two Big Ten titles and you think you’re good. We showed we’re just OK and we need a lot of work,” said senior defensive end Keith Lozowski, whose third-quarter interception was one of the keys.

“They broke a couple of big plays on us. We came up with some turnovers but we need more three-and-outs. I don’t think anybody is happy. We were lucky to get out without them scoring,” Lozowski said.

Northwestern sputtered offensively with starting quarterback Tim Hughes before finally getting untracked behind backup Chris Hamdorf, who led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter.

“We got to a point in the game when we needed to sort of settle down. Chris came in and ran that long drive off,” Northwestern coach Gary Barnett said.

“I don’t anticipate making any change. Right now Tim is our starting quarterback. I plan to play them both. There is no quarterback controversy. We need them both to win.”

Northwestern’s first touchdown came on Faraji Leary’s 1-yard run, capping an 80-yard drive that took nearly 7 minutes and finally deflated the Sooners as the Wildcats took a 14-0 lead with 9:14 left.

Earlier in the drive, Leary went 24 yards with a pass from Hamdorf.

“I don’t feel it’s my place to speculate as far as who plays,” Hamdorf said. He completed 6 of 11 passes for 80 yards while Hughes was 14 of 28 for 151.

After Brian Gowins’ third field goal made it 17-0, the Sooners’ Chris Lewis fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Barry Gardner recovered. Northwestern’s Levelle Brown then ran for a 16-yard touchdown.

Oklahoma, behind the running of Parker, who gained 78 yards on 17 carries, threatened throughout. But Justin Fuente had two passes intercepted and Jeremy Alexander missed two field goals as the Sooners came up empty.

It marked the first time Oklahoma had failed to score in a season opener since a scoreless tie with Oklahoma State in 1942.