VanHoose earns B1G award

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern redshirt freshman cornerback Nick VanHoose picked up Freshman of the Week honors from the Big Ten Conference Monday in recognition of his steady play in the Wildcats 21-13 win at Minnesota Saturday.

VanHoose set a career high with three pass breakups in the game, all of which came on Minnesota passes into the end zone. The last of the three came with the Gophers in search of a game-tying touchdown with under three minutes remaining when VanHoose deflected away a would-be TD pass on third-and-goal from the 6-yard line.

VanHoose, who has started all seven games for the 'Cats this season, also added three tackles and was part of an NU secondary that limited the Gophers to 169 yards passing. VanHoose is now tied for eighth in the Big Ten with seven passes defended (six breakups, one interception).

Northwestern (6-1), the first Big Ten team to gain bowl eligibility in 2012, returns to Ryan Field Saturday to host fellow Legends Division foe Nebraska. Kick time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT with ABC (ESPN2 mirror) providing the national broadcast from Evanston.