We’ve reached the halfway point in the season and it’s time to look back at how it’s unfolded. Here’s NBN Sports’ top five moments of the season so far.
Quentin Davie’s two interceptions (ISU)
The Wildcats racked up 37 points against the Illinois State University Redbirds, but the real fun came on the defensive side of the ball. Senior linebacker Quentin Davie had two interceptions in the second quarter, becoming the first Wildcat to have multiple interceptions in a single game since 2005. Davie jumped, arms outstretched, to grab the first pass, then fell to the ground and held the ball up triumphantly. Minutes later, he picked another one — this time running it back for 45 yards and a score. A week and another interception later, Davie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Dan Persa’s first interception of the season (CMU)
Dan Persa stepped into the starting quarterback role this season and went his first three games without throwing an interception. Then, in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ game against the Central Michigan Chippewas, Persa popped his perfect bubble and threw the ball right to Central Michigan’s Nick Bellore. The play elicited a collective groan from the student section at Ryan Field and Persa could be seen clapping his hands against his helmet in frustration after the play. Since then, though, Persa has only thrown one additional interception, and he’s completed 78 percent of his passes.
Blocked PAT attempts (CMU)
Coach Fitzgerald said that after the Rice game, he thought the special teams unit could have been a bit more aggressive in blocking kicks. That was before junior defensive tackle Jack DiNardo stepped up against Central Michigan. The junior defensive lineman blocked both a field goal and PAT attempt against the Chippewas, and a second PAT attempt was blocked in that game as well. The three blocked kicks denied five points for the Chippewas; the Wildcats won 30-25. Needless to say, the blocked kicks were huge for the ‘Cats in claiming the victory. And fans love a good rejection.
Jeremy Ebert’s touchdown catch (UM)
The Wildcats found their perfect season on the line, down 28-20 to the University of Minnesota in the fourth quarter. With fewer than nine minutes left in the game, quarterback Dan Persa threw a high pass into the end zone before being tackled. Despite blanket coverage, Jeremy Ebert wrangled the football from Minnesota’s Ryan Collado and came down with the touchdown. The incredible grab prompted high-fives all around from those of us watching the away game and brought the ‘Cats to within two, setting the stage for Stefan Demos’s game-winning field goal. Definitely ESPN-worthy — it made it on the Top 10.
Stefan Demos’ game-winning field goal (UM)/missed field goal (Purdue)
In August, senior kicker Stefan Demos was named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List. This season, however, he’s been inconsistent. Against Minnesota, Demos kicked the game-winner, putting Northwestern up 29-28 with just over two minutes left in the game. Then, the next weekend, his 41-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter was blocked, leaving the Wildcats ahead by only four points. Later, after a Purdue touchdown and with the game on the line, he shanked the potentially tying field goal. Why does Demos kick so low? Is he truly the best we have? ‘Cats fans are starting to doubt.