Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: Sports

FOOTBALL at Michigan State/vs. Minnesota, Oct. 6/13, 2007

Like last-second drama, offensive heroics, and Northwestern victories? How about two weeks in a row?

Behind C.J. Bachér's record-setting passing, the Wildcats defeated the Spartans and Gophers in overtime in consecutive weeks. In a back-and-forth clash with Michigan State, Bachér threw for a school-record 520 yards and five touchdowns in a 48-41 overtime triumph.

Instead of resting on his laurels, the NU quarterback delivered another superlative showing against lowly Minnesota, racking up 470 yards and four touchdowns in the air and rallying the Cats from a 21-point second-half deficit. This time, it took two overtimes before NU could claim victory, but the Cats eventually prevailed 49-48.

WRESTLING, Dustin Fox vs. J.D. Bergman, NCAA heavyweight championship, March 22, 2008

For the second straight year, NU took home an individual wrestling championship. But unlike Jake Herbert's easy win in 2007, Fox's title did not come easy. Fox battled Ohio State's J.D. Bergman to a 1-1 tie through regulation. In overtime, it appeared the NU heavyweight was in trouble; Fox was bleeding from cuts on his forehead and took a headbutt to the nose in the first overtime. Undaunted, Fox kept coming at Bergman and finally scored a takedown in the second overtime to take the championship match.

"It's a dream come true," the Cats' senior said afterwards. "My nose is probably broken, my face is all beat up, but I did it. I achieved all my goals."

SOFTBALL vs. DePaul, May 18, 2008

With a berth in the Super Regional round on the line, the Cats barely held off their Purple Line rivals to move on. Junior slugger Tammy Williams blasted a two-run home run in the fourth to give NU the early lead, and freshman Jordan Wheeler added an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0. But the Blue Demons cut the lead to 3-2 before staging a last-ditch rally in the seventh and final inning. DePaul put runners on second and third with no one out before Cats' ace Lauren Delaney shut the door on the Blue Demons. The sophomore, who compiled a 37-11 record on the season - admirably filling the shoes of the departed Eileen Canney - struck out two batters and nailed the third at the plate on a ground ball to preserve the 3-2 victory.

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