Northwestern will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak when it travels to No. 11 Penn State on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats were favored in all three of those losses after knocking off Nebraska in Week 0. Penn State has won all four of its games this season, including a 33-14 win over Central Michigan last week.
Northwestern is hitting the road for its first true road game of the season. The Wildcats played a neutral-site game in Ireland against Nebraska in Week 0, springing a 31-28 win as 12.5-point underdogs. They have been terrible since then, losing three consecutive home games to Duke, Southern Illinois and Miami (Ohio). Northwestern was favored by at least one touchdown in all three of those losses—it was a 7.5-point underdog in its 17-14 loss to the RedHawks last week. The Wildcats have struggled with turnovers this season, as they have given the ball away nine times over the past three weeks.
This is going to be incredible?? So grateful for our Board of Trustees, the Ryan family, and so many others who got us to today! #GoCats ?? https://t.co/uPPcDBHSKi
— Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) September 28, 2022
Junior quarterback Ryan Hilinski has completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,194 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior running back Evan Hull has been the key man offensively, rushing for 370 yards and three touchdowns on 85 carries, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. He has also caught 29 passes for 311 yards and an additional score, leading the nation with 181 all-purpose yards per game. Hull runs behind an offensive line that is powered by Peter Skoronski, who is projected to be a first-round draft pick. The Wildcats have averaged just 20.3 points per game since their season opener, though.