Northwestern had seen this before. Their 38-35 overtime loss to Auburn in the 2010 Outback Bowl was almost the exact opposite of their victory at Purdue during the regular season. In that game, the Boilermakers had six turnovers, including three in the final two minutes of the first half that led to 13 quick points. Still, Purdue only trailed 27-21 in the final minute with a first and goal inside the Northwestern 10 yard line. Agonizingly, Purdue could not convert and Northwestern was given a win thanks mostly to the other team’s mistakes. They were able to pay that win forward on New Year’s Day.
Northwestern has a total offence of 625 yard with Mike Kafka, the quarterback, passing 532 yards. They could not triumph over five interceptions, two lost field goals, a lost fumble and a lost extra point. An all time bowling record of 78 attempts and 47 completions was set by Kafka during the game which was also his final collegiate game. Auburn were neither generous with them beating them mercilessly. Wildcats kept themselves with four lost fumbles by Tigers making it among the craziest bowl ending in history. Auburn’s three times storming the field ahead of the final whistle presuming victory made the end crazy.
With 3:20 remaining into the game, Kafka made a two yard run while Stefan Demos a kicker made it 35-27 when he missed extra points. Afterwards, Northwestern made a fumble followed by a drive down that field a tying touchdown. After that touchdown, Kafka set up Sidney Stewart to an 18 yard touchdown that drew wildcats within two. Subsequently Brendan Mitchell held the game tying a two point’s conversion as well as a fumble during kickoff return to give Northwestern right back the ball. The game continued to an overtime after Demos the 44-yard field goal.
After Auburn scored only a field goal on its overtime possession northwestern needed only a touchdown to win the game. At first it looked as if Auburn had locked up a victory when Kafka was sacked and fumbled to the Tigers. The fumble was overturned on a replay review, however, and Auburn had to return to its sideline. Auburn rushed the field once more when Demos missed yet another field goal a few plays later, but a roughing the kicker penalty was called and a first down was awarded to Northwestern.
After northwestern failed to score a touchdown following the penalty it lined up for another field goal. This time backup kicker Steve Falherty was called on to try a tying field goal because Demos was injured on the previous attempt. Instead of trying to tie Northwestern ran a fake field goal attempt. Zeke Markshausen took a between the legs handoff from Dan Persa on the fake attempt, but was tackled before scoring. That finally let Auburn storm the field - for real this time - as it had locked up a hard earned bowl victory.
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