Undefeated, but questions loom

With two minutes left in the second half, the Northwestern marching band entertained the crowd with its rendition of “Living on a prayer.”

And for most of the second half, the Wildcats did just that.

For the first time since 1962, the Cats are 4-0 — defeating the Ohio Bobcats, 16-8, at Ryan Field Saturday.

Despite the perfect record, questions loom in a game that saw the offense get shut out in the second half, while losing its star player to injury.

Senior running back Tyrell Sutton missed the entire second half with a leg injury, suffered on a spectacular 31-yard run that set up NU’s only touchdown of the game.

Senior quarterback C.J. Bacher threw four interceptions, relegated to a string of quarterback hurries in the fourth quarter to run clock time.

And with their offense stumbling, the Cats rested on their newfound strength: the defense.

Behind stellar play from redshirt freshman Jordan Mabin, and defensive ends Corey Wootton and Vince Browne, NU held an opponent under 10 points scoring for the second straight game. That had not happened first since the 1995 run to the Rose Bowl, with coach Pat Fitzgerald manning the middle.

Amado Villarreal paced the offense in the first half with three field goals. He remains perfect on the season, connecting on all eight attempts.

Completing an undefeated run in non-conference play for the first time since 1963, the Cats will travel to Kinnick Stadium next week for the conference season opener with the Hawkeyes. Iowa (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, falling on the road to Pittsburgh, 21-20.

Check back later this evening at dailynorthwestern.com for full coverage of Saturday’s win.