The 'Cats are officially going bowling. Northwestern's offense was firing on all cylinders today, posting 525 yards from scrimmage in its 38-35 win over Minnesota to finally clinch bowl eligibility.

The Wildcats came into the day on a three-game losing streak, and the risk of blowing a chance to play in a bowl was very real. That risk is no longer, and the 'Cats can head to Illinois next weekend knowing they're safe. Here are three takeaways from a thriller at Wrigley Field:

The passing game was as good as it's been

This season, Northwestern's offense is typically one dimensional with a very good single dimension. The 'Cats have a dominant offensive line and a young running back in Caleb Komolafe with a lot of juice. That unit produced 220 rushing yards today, but, for once, it wasn't the 'Cats' best offensive option.

Preston Stone was incredibly impressive today and deserves his flowers. He finished with 305 passing yards, a season high, and he was also accurate, going 25-of-30 on the day. It was probably the best performance he's had in purple, and it came at a crucial time -- especially since the defense struggled more than normal.

Stone's receivers deserve credit as well. Griffin Wilde was a major factor with 11 receptions for 111 yards. The big difference today, though, was that someone stepped up behind him. Hayden Eligon had a monster day, finishing with seven receptions for 127 yards.

Northwestern beat itself early

The 'Cats, generally speaking, are a disciplined team. But they easily should have been ahead at the half and instead trailed 21-13. They were beating themselves.

Northwestern out-gained Minnesota 224-144 in the first half. The discrepancy was even larger before the Gophers launched two straight touchdown drives at the end of the half. The issue? NU had eight penalties in the opening 30 minutes and also allowed a 94-yard kickoff return that resulted in a score.

Then, to start the second half, Chase Farrell muffed a punt setting Minnesota up with positive field position. Farrell was in for Drew Wagner, who missed this game with an injury, but there's no excuse for a muffed punt down eight. The Gophers scored and took a commanding 28-13 lead.

Field goals are for losers, which they figured out in time

It was a tale of two halves for Northwestern in this regard. The 'Cats often take too many field goals, whether it be because of execution in enemy territory or poor coaching decisions. Today, it was the former in the first half.

The 'Cats kicked two field goals that could have been touchdowns early, and they went to the locker room trailing by a score. That doesn't happen if you punch it in, especially with the momentum the 'Cats had in the first quarter. When you kick field goals, you squander the opportunity momentum gives you.

Everything changed in the second half. The Wildcats scored three touchdowns and man-handled the Minnesota defense all the way down the field -- not just to the 30-yard line. David Braun also deserves some recognition for going for a 4th-and-1 down seven late in the third in Minnesota territory.

To be clear, having a good field goal kicker like Jack Olsen isn't for losers. Taking too many of them, though, is. The Wildcats did a good job not relying on the 2-of-2 Olsen in the second half.

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