Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/413403
GAME PREVIEW: NORTHWESTERN Northwestern returned a complete defensive backfield, led by fifth-year senior safety Ibraheim Campbell. In 2013, Campbell set a school record with an interception in five consecutive games. Through eight contests this season, he has made only one pick to go along with 23 tackles. Advantage: Notre Dame SPECIAL TEAMS Northwestern was set to rely on Mark to shine at kick returner again this season, after he earned All- America honors for that duty in 2012. But his trans- fer forced junior Miles Shuler and freshman Solomon Vault into action. The two had a nearly identical stat line with 10 returns apiece for 198 and 199 yards, respectively, through eight games. Notre Dame's return game hit a snag entering November, producing just 19.9 yards per kick return and 7.8 yards per punt return. Advantage: Even COACHING In his ninth season, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald may start feeling the heat during his potential second consecutive losing season and third in four years. The Wildcats are one of four teams to have the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator for the last six seasons, so they certainly know continuity. Contrarily, Kelly is breaking in first-year coordina- tors on both sides of the ball, albeit with much more success. Advantage: Notre Dame INTANGIBLES Northwestern has a 4-15 all-time record at Notre Dame, with two of those wins coming under Ara Parseghian in 1959 and 1961. Parseghian left to take over the Irish program in 1964. Advantage: Notre Dame Fifth-year senior linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo contributed a team-high 72 tackles, including one sack among four stops for loss, through eight games. PHOTO BY STEPHEN CARRERA/NORTHWESTERN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS