PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Isaiah Bowser followed up a breakout performance in an 18-15 win at Rutgers with another spectacular outing in last Saturday’s 31-17 win over Wisconsin, outrushing the Badgers’ Jonathon Taylor, the nation’s leading rusher. Bowser carried 34 times for 117 yards and a touchdown, nearly tripling Taylor’s total of 46 yards on 11 carries. Bowser has rushed for 225 yards on 58 carries in the Wildcats’ last two games, scoring three touchdowns in the process. Look for Bowser to continue his hot streak Saturday against Notre Dame.
–LB Nate Hall returned to action against Wisconsin after having missed the previous three games with an undisclosed lower body injury. Hall was used sparingly throughout the game and only recorded two tackles, but one of them was for a loss, indicating his playmaking ability is still there. Northwestern will need Hall to make as many big plays as possible against the third-ranked Fighting Irish.
–WR Kyric McGowan has been a viable option on kickoff returns for the Wildcats, but against Wisconsin, McGowan showcased his versatility on offense, catching a 24-yard touchdown pass and also rushing one time for a 21-yard gain. McGowan gives Northwestern’s offense an extra burst of speed and elusiveness that will likely be on display again Saturday.
–LB Blake Gallagher is tied with Maryland’s Tre Watson for the leading tackler in the Big Ten with 78 total tackles. Gallagher had another strong performance against Wisconsin, leading the Wildcats with 10 tackles.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads Northwestern 37-9-2, but the Wildcats won the most recent matchup, defeating the Fighting Irish 43-40 on the road in overtime on Nov. 15, 2014.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “This is as unique probably of an opportunity that we’ve had. To play an outstanding football team and have a huge challenge in front of us, and stepping out of Big Ten play, it’s pretty rare. I don’t know how often it happens throughout the conference. … But at the same time, what a great opportunity. We’ve got nothing to lose, so our guys are going to, I think, prepare really well.” — Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald on playing such a high-profile game without conference implications in November.