Northwestern Wins, 24-0

Northwestern’s defense gave up big plays but no points Saturday in the Pigskin Classic.

Keith Lozowski and Kevin Buck made drive-stopping interceptions, Brian Gowins kicked three field goals and backup quarterback Chris Hamdorf directed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives as the Wildcats beat Oklahoma, 24-0.

Northwestern sputtered offensively with starting quarterback Tim Hughes before finally getting untracked behind Hamdorf in the final period.

“We got to a point in the game when we needed to sort of settle down. Chris came in and ran that long drive off,” Northwestern Coach Gary Barnett said.

The first touchdown came on Faraji Leary’s one-yard run, capping an 80-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes and finally deflated the Sooners as the Wildcats took a 14-0 lead with 9:14 left.

After Gowins’ third field goal made it 17-0, the Sooners’ Chris Lewis fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Barry Gardner recovered. Northwestern’s Levelle Brown then ran for a 16-yard touchdown.

“You come off two Big Ten titles and you think you’re good. We showed we’re just OK and we need a lot of work,” Lozowski said.

“They broke a couple of big plays on us. We came up with some turnovers, but we need more three-and-outs. I don’t think anybody is happy. We were lucky to get out without them scoring.”

Oklahoma, behind the running of De’Mond Parker, who gained 78 yards in 17 carries, threatened throughout. But Justin Fuente had two passes intercepted and Jeremy Alexander missed two field goals as the Sooners, coming off a 3-8 season, came up empty.

It marked the first time Oklahoma had failed to score in a season opener since a scoreless tie with Oklahoma State in 1942.

“It’s like a game from last year again. It’s like the same scenario,” Parker said.