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Northwestern can score, but wins don't come easily

Adam Kadela, Northwestern's middle linebacker, said it best in the wake of the Wildcats' 49-48 double-overtime victory Saturday over Minnesota.

"I apologize to older fans and to those with heart problems," Kadela said. "It's fun to be a part of these games. You don't want to be a part of them, but we have been, and you just have to take it in stride and do what you can to win the game."

Northwestern's problem is that it can't win a game easily. The Wildcats are 4-3, and, excepting the first-week win over lower-division Northeastern, every victory has been a struggle of the first order.

The cause of the problem isn't the offense. The Wildcats know how to score, the 58-7 trouncing at Ohio State excepted. The cause is the defense and what can best be called a lack of interest at times.

The Wildcats defenders doze off, and when they do, opposing teams take advantage. Minnesota did so to the tune of five straight touchdowns in the middle of Saturday's game. Then Northwestern woke up and held the Golden Gophers to one more touchdown, in the first overtime, the rest of the way.

"We talk about that week after week," said linebacker Malcolm Arrington, the human alarm clock whose interception triggered the Wildcats' comeback from a three-touchdown deficit. "Coach (Pat Fitzgerald) does things in practice to motivate us. Our teammates do as well."

The tactics haven't always worked. If they had Saturday, the Wildcats would have scored a runaway victory.

"We still have a lot to work on," Kadela said. "We've given up 90 points in the past two weeks. That's just not good enough, especially the way our offense is playing right now."

Actually, it's 89 points, but Kadela's point is well taken. There will be a week when C.J. Bacher doesn't throw for nearly 500 yards and a handful of touchdowns, when the absence of lead running back Tyrell Sutton is sorely felt. (Sutton may return to practice this week, but his effectiveness isn't guaranteed by any means.)

When that week comes, whether it's this Friday against Eastern Michigan or down the line against Purdue or another Big Ten squad, the result will be harmful to the health of the Wildcats' bowl hopes.