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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Opposing Viewpoint - Northwestern
10/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Each week during the football season, GopherSports.com will bring you the opposing viewpoint by talking to a member of the media who covers Minnesota's opponent for that week. This week, we're joined by Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune. Greenstein is the college football and golf writer for the Chicago Tribune.
GopherSports.com: The last three meetings between these two teams have been in doubt in the fourth quarter. Do you see another game like that this year?
Teddy Greenstein: Maybe third quarter, but not fourth. Northwestern seems to be the way better team, and I have serious doubts that Minnesota will be able to slow down the Dan Persa express. But history does say it will be close.
GopherSports.com: Who or what has Northwestern's attention when it comes to Minnesota?
Teddy Greenstein: What has their attention is this result: 35-24. The Cats led in that game and then watched as Minnesota outscored them 14-0 in the fourth quarter. NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said this week that the Gophers "physically man-handled us." That's probably an exaggeration, given that Minnesota rushed for a mediocre 4.2 yards per carry. But NU did whiff on a ton of tackles in that game.
GopherSports.com: What's different about the Wildcats since their 35-24 loss to the Gophers in Evanston last year?
Teddy Greenstein: NU really wasn't healthy last season until the final third of its season. Corey Wootton was still recovering from knee surgery, and the secondary was as stable as a carousel. Also different: Persa. Mike Kafka played well enough last year to get drafted in the fourth round by the Eagles, but Persa is playing at an even higher level so far.
GopherSports.com: What can you tell us about Dan Persa, the Wildcat QB who Coach Brewster says is the lynchpin to the Northwestern offense?
Teddy Greenstein: See above. Entering this season, we knew three things about Persa: He runs like a tailback, he led a big-time high school program in Pennsylvania and he stands just 6 feet tall. Now we know he is deadly accurate, makes quick decisions, can take a hit and studies film almost as much as the coaches do.
GopherSports.com: Who is an under-the-radar player for either team who could have an impact on this game?
Teddy Greenstein: I'm curious about Troy Stoudermire. For Northwestern, it's tailback Mike Trumpy, who looked both quick and tough last week against Central Michigan.
GopherSports.com: What are the keys to each team for this contest?
Teddy Greenstein: For Minnesota, it's to get a decent start and keep Persa under 300 yards passing. For Northwestern, avoid turnovers.
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