Northwestern’s come-from-behind Homecoming win last week rejuvenated not only a team struggling with inconsistency the whole season thus far, but also shot some life into NU’s bowl plans. The Wildcats (4-3) now have a very good chance of making a postseaon trip, needing only two more wins to become bowl eligible. Friday’s game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-5) may be the team’s most crucial remaining game, as it is the one contest the ‘Cats have a clear edge in, and would push the team within one game of bowl eligibility. But, as last week’s game against Minnesota proved, sure things often turn out to be anything but come gametime for NU.

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First Quarter

15:00 - Welcome to Detroit! I have no clue why the Eagles would host a game at NFL arena Ford Field – nobody is here, and you can tell. There might be 2000 people here, maybe. EMU took the kickoff, and ran it back to midfield, but the ‘Cats shut them down fast, forcing them to punt early. C.J. Bacher throws an interception early on, turning the ball over back to EMU. Looks pretty ugly so far.

7:42 - It’s hard to pay attention to this game as I grapple with the internet connection here. This whole affair is a mess – for a pro stadium, the wireless is spotchy, the video board is showing ESPN U’s footage and they don’t even have food. There is absolutely no point to be doing this here, in Detroit. The big news for the ‘Çats on field – Tyrell Sutton is back. At least for one play, where he didn’t do anything.

6:41 – You know how NU is supposed to steamroll no-name teams like this? Well, no dice, as EMU is on the board after a five-yard run into the endzone. Northwestern better stop the Eagles from running all over them, or their bowl hopes might be as empty as this stadium.

3:00 - NU’s offense trying to equalize, and a little trickery helps them big-time. A end-around pays off, putting Northwestern near the goalline. But EMU’s defense isn’t letting anything through, and forces the ‘Cats to go for three. They nail it, bringing the Wildcats a little closer. Weird not having the NU band here – things are quieter than a ghostown after the score.

0:30 – Wow, NU special teams blow it. Another super-good return by the Eagles, putting them into ‘Çat territory. The quarter ends with the Eagles strutting their stuff early.

Second Quarter

14:15 - Eastern Michigan’s running game is tearing through NU’s defense. The Eagles inch closer and closer to the endzone every play. But, damn, the Wildcats force a fumble (on a car-crash-like tackle), preventing what would have been a massive blow this early on. C.J. Bacher needs to step it up now.

12:11 – Bacher starting to find his groove. He’s completed a couple deep passes, and looks much sharper than he did in the first quarter. The Wildcats running game on the other hand – working as well as a wetsuit in a volcano. But whenever I type these things, they go out and prove me wrong – Omar Conteh breaks a good run and scores, giving NU their first lead of the night.**

10:24 - Timeout entertainment – a punt, pass and kick competition. Pinch me.

10:16 – Wowee zowee. NU’s special teams really need some help. A lame kicks leads to another return to midfield. And a quick completion to EMU’s Jacory Stone brings the Eagles into Wildcat territory. But the Eagles promptly turn it over – an interception this time – helping the ‘Cats stay in front.

6:05 – Guess what the EMU marching band just played? “Hey Baby.” Really surreal, hearing it played by a band not wearing purple, and the “hey what, go Wildcats” part changed to…something indecipherable. Please, don’t take “Accidently in Love” from us.

5:18 – NU fails to get a touchdown, kicking team comes out, ‘Cats take the field goal. Seen this a billion times before.

1:45 – What the? Northwestern has a completely consistent defensive stand, forcing the Eagles to punt? What in the world, these guys would have had a hard time covering the punt, pass and kick kids a quarter ago. But the Wildcats get the ball back (deep, but whatever) and have another chance, albeit late, to add to their score. Bacher loses the ball, but NU recovers. Scary stuff.

Halftime – NU better not get complacent, as their lead isn’t huge, and Eastern Michigan hasn’t looked remotely terrible tonight. As a side note, I think the EMU may be honoring Michigan’s Upper Penninsula. Who wrote that one up?

15:00 – Time for another half of football from the crypt that is Ford Field. In a reversal of fortune, the Wildcats rush into Eagle territory. Now, can they get it into the endzone? Of course not, this is NU! About a yard or two away from scoring, NU coughs up the ball, and EMU recovers. Someone hug those poor Wildcats. EMU marches down the field, and goes for a field goal. They miss, so NU still up by six.

9:36 – The Eagle Nation t-shirt toss gets the crowd uber loud. On an unrelated note, Willie is wandering around the building, playing with kids. Feels like home.

6:54 – Huge turnover, as EMU throws the ball right to NU. This has been one sluggish game, the two team’s mistakes much more important than what either team has done right. This may end up being a battle of who can screw up the least.

6:13 – Thought nobody may have come out to Ford Field tonight (it is Friday night, afterall), the EMU supporters who got in get surprisingly vocal when NU is in a tough spot. The ‘Cats go three and out, and the crowd goes quiet once again.

3:42 – Eastern Michigan have a first and goal from the eight. Huge stand for NU, their lead in the balance. After the first play (a good jam by NU), an EMU and a ‘Cat go face-to-face, barking at each other like junkyard dogs. The ref calls personal fouls on both players, and the pro-Eagle crowd gets REALLY mad, the most vocal moment of the night. And then, NU’s best defensive moment of the night, another interception. Eastern Michigan should be winning this game, but they can’t keep the ball, and it’s tearing them apart. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are more lucky than skilled tonight.

0:00 – Yawn. One of the least exciting quarters of football you’ll find outside of the pee-wee leagues. More turnovers than touchdowns (by a wide margin) have enabled NU to keep the lead, but one big play by EMU could change everything about this game. The EMU dance team isn’t half bad, for those of you interested.

Fourth Quarter

12:35 – Eagles have to punt, pinning NU a little shy of the 20 yard line. The ‘Cats really need to punch the ball once into the endzone and they’ll probably secure a victory, as Eastern Michigan will be hard-pressed to score more than once in this game. But if they only trail by six, one lucky play puts EMU in front. Props to the Eagle band though – they do a solid-enough version of “Don’t Stop Believing.” Better than the Imperial March for the billionth time, that’s for sure.

10:50 – NU’s got something cooking here. Bacher is hitting his receivers perfectly on this latest drive, and this is the best shot the Wildcats have had to get a touchdown in a long while. The team stands at the five, painstakingly close to getting in and maybe clipping the Eagle’s wings (cliché, but whatever). On third down, the Eagles commit a penalty (not sure what, the ref has marbles in his mouth), and NU scores on the next play. And that might be all folks.

5:49 – I can’t tell you how terrible Ford Field’s internet access is. The World Wide Web should be a right for everyone in the free world, and the fact a multi-million dollar sports stadium messes it up should be inexcusable. I really miss Ryan Field right now. Oh, right, the game. Eastern Michigan trying to get back into this, and they complete an extremely vital pass to bring them within striking distance. But the play is under review, and reversed. EMU can’t catch a break at all tonight. NU commits a face mask, and the EMU drive stays alive.

5:03 – Big, big, big fourth down for the Eagles. And QB Kyle McMahon avoids a sack…to run the ball into the endzone. Don’t hit Ridge and Davis just yet kids.4:54 – EMU kicking off. Onside on the way? Nope, they trick the Wildcats, now pinned at their own seven. Eagles defense needs to shut them down right here.

3:57 – Huge first down for the ‘Cats. Two more and they might be in the clear.

2:44 – And the Wildcats score. EMU done, and Northwestern has two minutes to go before win number five.

1:05 – Eagles aren’t giving up, regardless of how many times I write they are done. On fourth and goal, Eastern Michigan’s last chance at getting back into this, the QB gets taken down short of the goal. And make that three wins in a row.

0:00 – And, the Wildcats officially win. Compared to last week’s thriller against the Gophers, tonight’s affair against the Eagles was more Steel Magnolias than Rambo. NU had more luck than skill for a third of the game, but awoke in the fourth to seal the deal and beat a lowly MAC squad. Northwestern will need a lot more pep in their step next week against Purdue, a team that won’t be as turnover prone as EMU, and not have a crowd of zilch. But for now, the ‘Cats are a game away from bowl eligibility.

**Correction, Oct. 20, 2007: This article originally misidentified the ball carrier on NU’s first touchdown as Deante Battle. The actual ball carrier was Omar Conteh.