Northwestern Wildcats football
Encyclopedia
The Northwestern Wildcats
football
team, representing Northwestern University
, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference
, with evidence of organization in 1876. The mascot is the Wildcat
, a term coined by a Chicago Tribune
reporter in 1924, after reporting on a football game where the players appeared as "a wall of purple wildcats." Northwestern achieved an all-time high rank of #1 during the 1936 and 1962 seasons, then plummeted to extended levels of futility from the mid-1970s to 1994.
Recent years have been far kinder to the Wildcats, who have won three Big Ten championships or co-championships since 1995, and have been "bowl eligible" (a status that requires at least a .500 regular-season record) seven out of the last eight seasons.
Northwestern consistently ranks among the national leaders in graduation rate among football teams, having received the AFCA
Academic Achievement Award four times since 2002. Despite the stricter academic standards, Northwestern has produced many notable athletes, such as former first-round draft picks Luis Castillo
and Napoleon Harris
.
The Wildcats have played their home games at Ryan Field (formerly Dyche Stadium) in Evanston, Illinois
, since 1922.
>
in 1882, football was played entirely as an intramural sport. From 1882 to 1887, the team mostly practiced and did not play teams outside of NU. In 1891, with the popularity of football increasing, Sheppard Field—complete with a grandstand—was built at Northwestern and dedicated in 1892. Also in 1892, the university chose royal purple as the school's official color, and the team recorded its first significant win, beating Michigan
10-8. In 1896, along with six other schools, Northwestern became a charter member of the Western Conference, the predecessor of the Big Ten. NU's first conference season was a huge success, posting a 46-6 win against then-powerhouse University of Chicago
and finished second to Wisconsin.
The team's success in 1896 carried through the turn of the century. From 1899-1902, the Wildcats were 25-16-4 under Coach Charles Hollister. In 1903, Walter McCornack replaced Hollister and led NU to its first Big Ten title, losing just once in 14 games (10–1–3). Of note, the season included scoreless ties against Chicago and Notre Dame
NU would add Carlisle
great Jimmy Johnson
as a graduate student in 1904, a season in which Northwestern posted eight shutout wins.
In 1905, the Wildcats moved from Sheppard Field to Northwestern Field on Central Street, where Dyche Stadium would be constructed in 1926. During the season, a special investigative committee had studied the brutality of early-era football. Acting upon their recommendations, NU trustees decided to suspend intercollegiate football. The school did not field a varsity football team in 1906 or 1907. Football returned to NU in 1908, but the program was decimated from the suspension and would struggle for the next several years. Promise returned with the arrival of Northwestern's first true star, John "Paddy" Driscroll
in 1915. Driscoll was a triple threat
player: a decent passer, a spectacular runner, and could drop kick and punt with precision. Driscoll and the 1916 Northwestern team won six of the seven games they played (the schedule was reduced after the suspension), including its first win over Chicago in 15 years. Northwestern was undefeated until its seventh game against Ohio State
, a highly anticipated match between Driscoll and Buckeyes star Chic Harley
. Ohio State won 23-3, costing NU a Big Ten title. After Driscoll's career, the team declined during the World War I years.
became the head coach for the 1922 season and helped change the culture of the program, as the Wildcats' depth and quality improved. Another key factor to NU's gridiron improvement was the leadership of NU President Walter Dill Scott
Scott, who was a guard on NU's football team as an undergrad during the 1890s, was a strong supporter of athletics. Of importance, Scott helped raise money for a new football facility, Dyche Stadium.
The 1924 team, led by center Tim Lowry
and triple threat halfback Ralph Baker
, was very competitive and finished with a 4–4 record. In fact, the team's performance against Chicago earned NU the nickname "Wildcats" after Chicago Sun-Times writer Wallace Abbey wrote that Chicago was stopped by a "wall of Purple Wildcats." In 1925, Northwestern pulled off a huge upset against Michigan, winning 3-2 at Soldier Field
. The three points were the only points scored against the Wolverines
who posted shut out wins in every other game that season. The following season, the Wildcats celebrated their inaugural season at Dyche Stadium by sharing the 1926 Western Conference Title with Michigan.
and 1931
, tying with Michigan and Michigan/Purdue, respectively. In both seasons, NU finished fourth in the final Dickinson rankings
.
started his head coach tenure at Northwestern in 1935, a position he would hold for 12 years. The 12 years are the most of any Northwestern head coach. During these years, NU complied a record of 49–45–7, which ranks Waldorf first in total wins and total ties. In his very first season at Northwestern, Waldorf was named college football's first national coach of the year. In his second season, he took Northwestern to the Western Conference crown and a #7 ranking in the final AP poll. While at Northwestern, Waldorf also convinced future legend Otto Graham
to try out for football.
became the head coach of NU starting in 1947. The lone highlight of Voigts' coaching career at NU came in his second season, in which he led the Wildcats to a 8-2 record. Northwestern finished second in the conference and played in their first bowl game, the Rose Bowl
. The Wildcats defeated California
, 20–14. As of the 2011 season, this remains Northwestern's only bowl win. NU finished 7th in the final AP poll. During these years, Northwestern compiled a record of 33–39–1.
's only year as head coach, the Wildcats had a winless season with a 0–8–1 record. The following year, Ara Parseghian
was named head coach. During his tenure, NU compiled a record of 36–35–1, with winning seasons from 1958
to 1960
and 1962
to 1963
.
's head coaching career at Northwestern did not begin well, with the Wildcats finishing no higher than 6th in the conference in his first five years, and compiling losing records in his first six. In the 1970
and 1971
seasons, Northwestern finished second in the Big Ten, with overall records of 6–4 and 7–4. However, the following year, Northwestern would begin a streak of failure, achieving a record of 2–9. Agase would finish his career at Northwestern with a record of 32–58–1, which ranks first in total losses.
After Northwestern beat Wyoming
on September 15, 1979, the Wildcats began a streak of notority, and lost their remaining games on the season.Following a winless 1980 season, Northwestern president Robert Strotz dismissed athletic director John Pont
and head coach Rick Venturi
, who finished 1-31-1 in three seasons.
During the offseason, Stanford offensive coordinator Dennis Green
was hired to replace Venturi, becoming the first black coach in the history of the Big Ten Green was unable to prevent the team from setting the NCAA Division I record for consecutive losses during the 1981 season. A 61-14 loss to Michigan State was the Wildcats' 29th loss in a row, breaking its shared record with Kansas State and Virginia
. At the close of the game, Northwestern students rushed the field to "celebrate," and chanted "we're the worst!". Finally, on September 25, 1982, "the Streak" ended at 34 consecutive games with a win over Northern Illinois
. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, NU students rushed the field, tore down the goalposts, and heaved them into nearby Lake Michigan.
Northwestern's former woes were in part due to the indifference of the school's administration in the 1970s and early 1980s, which resulted in a lower level of talent than that found at larger, public institutions. Northwestern is the lone private school in the Big Ten, and at 8,200 undergraduates, it is by far the smallest (by comparison, the second smallest school, Iowa
, has almost 21,000 undergraduates).
and the trio of quarterback Steve Schnur, running back Darnell Autry
, and linebacker Pat Fitzgerald
, Northwestern accomplished one of the most dramatic one-season turnarounds in college football history. "Expect Victory" was the motto, even as Northwestern began the season as 28-point underdogs. A shocking 17-15 season-opening win over the heavily favored Notre Dame
Fighting Irish, along with other unbelievable wins over Michigan
(19-13) and Penn State
(21-10), catapulted the team into the national spotlight and made them media darlings. Northwestern achieved a ranking of #3 in the nation and their first Big Ten title since 1936. The span of 59 years between titles is the longest in the history of the Big Ten Conference. They faced off against USC
in the Rose Bowl--only the second bowl appearance in school history. The Cinderella
season came to an abrupt halt with the Wildcats losing 41-32.
The subsequent 1996 season lived up to expectations, with the Wildcats repeating as Big Ten Champions (sharing the title with Ohio State). The team was nicknamed the "Cardiac Cats" for many dramatic, last second victories, including a 17-16 comeback over the University of Michigan. Down 16-0 entering the fourth quarter, the Wildcats scored 17 unanswered points, culminating with heart-stopping fourth down conversions and a last second field goal to complete the comeback. They earned an invitation to the Citrus Bowl
, only to come up short against the Peyton Manning
-led University of Tennessee
, 48-28.
Due to Barnett's success at Northwestern, he became a hot coaching commodity. Barnett rejected interest from such legendary college programs as Notre Dame, UCLA, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas. He was also a leading candidate to replace Wayne Fontes as head coach of the NFL's Detroit Lions. Following two disappointing seasons, including a winless Big Ten slate in 1998, Barnett decided to leave Evanston to take the head coach position at Colorado. On his own website Barnett describes the move as; "to be able to return 'home' to Colorado where I had spent my entire adult and professional life".
Buffaloes
following the 1998 season, Coach Randy Walker
(formerly of Miami University
in Ohio
) was called to lead the team. Coincidentally, it was Coach Walker's Miami Redhawks, who handed NU their only regular season loss during the miracle 1995 season. Coach Walker, a former standout tailback at Miami University, placed special emphasis on developing Northwestern's offense, especially at the running back position. Walker ran a conventional pro style offense during the 1999 season, which resulted in a 3-8 record. Following the season Coach Walker and offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson, visited Rich Rodriguez and Tommy Bowden at Clemson to learn from the offense that they were running. He also made a trip to meet with Mike Martz from the St. Louis Rams to pick up ideas. Coach Walker adapted the more passing based spread offenses to implement his desire to run the ball effectively. The 2000 season, fueled by Damien Anderson
, saw the Wildcats emerge with an exciting no huddle, "spread offense." The spread offense employed many wide receivers to spread out the defense, thus allowing more cracks in the defense for running or passing plays. A 54-51 shootout victory over the University of Michigan led commentators to dub it "basketball on grass." That game became an ESPN
Instant Classic and was representative of the season, which saw frequent high scores and dramatic finishes. The high-scoring offense usually was enough to overcome the porous defense, and the Wildcats earned their third Big Ten title in six years (co-champions). Anderson also finished second nationally in rushing yards (behind LaDanian Tomlinson). However, the Wildcats were blown out by the Nebraska Cornhuskers
in the Alamo Bowl
66-17. Coach Walker's offense revolutionized college football. In 2001, after being named head coach at Bowling Green, Urban Meyer
, had his staff visit Evanston to learn from Walker and Wilson. There is little that Meyer is running at Florida in 2008 that Northwestern was not already running in 2000. The 2001 brough high expectations for the Wildcat program. The offense returned 10 of 11 starters. The untimely death of defensive back Rashidi Wheeler, during preseason workout drills, cast a cloud over the season. The Wildcats suffered a number of close losses in route to a disappointing 4-7 record. The Wildcats did not make the postseason again until December 26, 2003, when they lost to Bowling Green
by a score of 28-24 in the Motor City Bowl
. In 2004, the Wildcats beat then-ranked #6 Ohio State
in overtime to garner their first win over the Buckeyes since 1971, but that victory was the season's only national highlight. The 2005 season was Northwestern's best since 2000, finishing 7-5 and ending up ranked #25 in the BCS
poll. The team appeared in the AP
and Coaches' polls for the first time since October 2001. The Wildcats earned an invitation to the Sun Bowl
, only to lose to UCLA
, 50-38.
at the age of 52. Pat Fitzgerald
(seen by many before the tragedy as Walker's eventual successor once his contract expired) was promoted from linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator to head coach on July 7, 2006. Walker's death was not the team's only loss; the Wildcats also had to replace their offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and Brett Basanez
, the team's former four-year starter at quarterback and holder of dozens of school records. Hence, the 2006 season was a departure from the previous years' successes. The season began with a win at Miami University
, Walker's alma mater, an emotional game that featured several tributes to the late coach. However, the season went downhill from there. The low point was the October 21 home loss to Michigan State, in which the Spartans staged the largest comeback in Division I-A history. A win against Illinois
in the final game gave the Wildcats a 4-8 record for the year and saved them from finishing last in the Big Ten.
Before the beginning of the 2007 season, Northwestern showed potential for improvement upon last year's record. ESPN.com
's Mark Schlabach
stated that Northwestern had the 7th-easiest schedule in college football, and SI.com's Steve Megargee claimed that Indiana was the only Big Ten school with an easier schedule. Running back
Tyrell Sutton
was one of 64 players in college football to be put on the Maxwell Award
watch list for the nation's best college football player.
The Wildcats began the season with their first shutout since 1997 in a 27-0 win against the Northeastern Huskies. On October 7, quarterback
C.J. Bacher broke Brett Basanez
's school record for single-game passing yards by throwing for 520 yards in a victory over Michigan State
. Bacher went on to be named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, as well as the Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Another strong performance in a win against Minnesota
earned Bacher Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second week in a row.
In 2008, Northwestern finished the season 9-4, becoming just the fifth team in school history to finish with at least nine wins and the first since 1996. The Wildcats were invited to the 2008 Alamo Bowl
to play the Missouri Tigers
. However, they lost 23-20 in an overtime thriller. Northwestern finished the 2009 season 8-5. Having finished 9-4 the season before, the 'Cats won eight games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1995 and 1996. The Wildcats were invited to the 2010 Outback Bowl
vs. the Auburn Tigers
. It was their first January bowl since 1997. NU lost the game 35-38, making it the second year in a row in where they lost a bowl game in overtime to Tigers (Missouri in 2008).
In 1928, Northwestern added a unique sleeve-stripe pattern to its jerseys: a narrow stripe, over a wide center stripe, over a narrow stripe. The jersey was considered one of the first modern football uniforms, and was soon replicated across football. The sleeve striping was such a fixture of the program that the pattern eventually became known as "Northwestern stripes." Northwestern stripes have not always appeared on NU football jerseys, though the team's current uniforms sport the pattern.
Even before the Wildcats became the official school nickname for NU, a caged live bear cub named Furpaw was the team's mascot. In 1923, however, the team had a bad season and decided the mascot was bad luck. During the following season, the nickname Wildcats was officially adopted by the university after the teams defense was described as a "wall of Purple wildcats" by Chicago Sun-Times writer Wallace Abbey. Previously, the team was either known as the Purple or the Fighting Methodists. In 1933, the NU athletic department and an ad agency, created the first image of Willie the Wildcat, though he did not come to life until 1947 when Alpha Delta
fraternity members dressed up as the mascot.
Since 1992, when Barnett
decided to move the team's preseason practices off-campus, NU has conducted Camp Kenosha, its preseason camp on the campus of University of Wisconsin–Parkside in Kenosha, WI.
Starting with the 1995 season, the clockface of the Rebecca Crown Tower on the NU campus would change from white to purple following an NU win . Since the 1997 season, if the Wildcats win their final game of the season, the clock will remain purple for the entire off-season. In the past few years, the tradition has been expanded to honor championships in other NU varsity sports including lacrosse and tennis.
The students and the Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band
generally sit in one section near the goal line. The cheerleaders and marching band lead the students with certain cheers, such as "Go U, NU," and "Let's go 'Cats!" In a tradition called the "Growl", started by the marching band in the 1960s, the students extend their arms and make a claw with their hands like that of a wildcat while screaming to intimidate and confuse opposing teams' offenses. Northwestern students also sing the fight song after scoring. The "Alma Mater" (the traditional school song, different from the fight song, "Go U Northwestern") is usually sung at the end of the game and played by the marching band at halftime
Cheerleaders, along with Willie the Wildcat and the marching band's "Spirit Team", perform push-ups after every touchdown, equal to Northwestern's cumulative score. While lots of mascots do push-ups after touchdowns, the unique aspect at NU is that the student section will follow suit, usually hoisting selected fellow students up into the air while in the stands, counting out the number of NU points on the scoreboard.
Other notable traditions include the jiggling of keys before every kickoff. This action plays on Northwestern's academic rigors, and is meant to symbolize that regardless of how the game turns out, the opposing school's graduates will eventually be parking the cars of the Northwestern students.The generic "State School" chant is also employed.
Before the 4th quarter of Northwestern football games a video screen plays the song "Put Your Hands Up in the Air" by Danzel
, preceded by an announcement by a local celebrity. Celebrity announcers have included Pat Fitzgerald, Brian Urlacher
, Mike Ditka
, and Patrick Kane
.
are the Wildcats' most natural rival. The series dates back to 1892 and the two schools have played annually since 1927, with the Illini holding a 46-52-5 overall advantage. In April 2010, a deal was reached for the annual rivalry game to be played at Wrigley Field
on November 20, 2010.
Since 2009, the schools have competed for the Land of Lincoln Trophy
. From 1947 through 2008, the teams competed for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
Trophy, since retired as part of a ruling by the NCAA requiring Illinois to purge Native American imagery from their athletics. The origins of the trophy derived from a wooden cigar store Indian named Sweet Sioux, which was stolen and replaced by a tomahawk. The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk permanently remains in Evanston.
The NU-Illinois rivalry was protected during the Big Ten divisional alignment and the two schools will continue to meet as a protected crossover on an annual basis, similar to Michigan-Ohio State.
played for a Shillelagh until the mid 1970s. The trophy game was created at the behest of Knute Rockne
, who wanted a rivalry in the Chicago area to help build Notre Dame's fan base in the area. NU and ND stopped playing regularly after the 1970s, though the rivalry was renewed from 1992-1995. When NU stunned Notre Dame as a 28-point underdog in 1995, the Chicago Sun-Times billed it as the "Upset of the Century.". The two schools have not met since; Notre Dame holds the all-time advantage 37-8-2. The two schools will renew their rivalry in a two game series beginning with Northwestern traveling to South Bend in 2014 followed by Notre Dame traveling to Evanston in 2018.
during the early years of the program. Northwestern and Chicago share the city of Chicago
- representing the "north side" and the "south side," respectively. They were also the only two private institutions in the Big Ten and are both considered elite universities with especially strong academic and professional rivalries in economics
, business
, medicine
, and law
.
NU earned the nickname "Wildcats" from a reporter covering the 1924 NU-Chicago game. The final game of the series, a 38-7 NU win, helped transfer the Chicago football focus from the Maroons to the Wildcats, where it remained until the Chicago Bears
gained popularity in the mid-1950s
| valign="top" |
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List per NU Athletics
presented to the top FBS football program for graduation rate: 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007
(Only Duke, Notre Dame, and Boston College have received more awards)
, and would go on to apply during the 2004 season, when four of the Wildcats' games went into overtime.
Northwestern Wildcats
The Northwestern Wildcats are the athletic teams that represent Northwestern University, a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and the only private university in the conference. Northwestern has eight men's and eleven women's Division I sports teams. The mascot is Willie the Wildcat...
football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team, representing Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, with evidence of organization in 1876. The mascot is the Wildcat
Wildcat
Wildcat is a small felid native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa.-Animals:Wildcat may also refer to members of the genus Lynx:...
, a term coined by a Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
reporter in 1924, after reporting on a football game where the players appeared as "a wall of purple wildcats." Northwestern achieved an all-time high rank of #1 during the 1936 and 1962 seasons, then plummeted to extended levels of futility from the mid-1970s to 1994.
Recent years have been far kinder to the Wildcats, who have won three Big Ten championships or co-championships since 1995, and have been "bowl eligible" (a status that requires at least a .500 regular-season record) seven out of the last eight seasons.
Northwestern consistently ranks among the national leaders in graduation rate among football teams, having received the AFCA
American Football Coaches Association
The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
Academic Achievement Award four times since 2002. Despite the stricter academic standards, Northwestern has produced many notable athletes, such as former first-round draft picks Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo (football player)
Luis Alberto Castillo , is a Dominican American football defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL...
and Napoleon Harris
Napoleon Harris
Napoleon Bill Harris is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Northwestern and was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Raiders in the 2002 NFL Draft....
.
The Wildcats have played their home games at Ryan Field (formerly Dyche Stadium) in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, since 1922.
Conference Championships
Northwestern is a charter member of the Big Ten Conference and has competed in the league since the conference's establishment in 1896. The Wildcats have won eight Big Ten titles.| Year | Conference | Coach | Record | Conference Record | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1903 | Big Ten | Walter McCornack Walter McCornack -External links:... |
10–1–3 | 1-0-2 | |
| 1926 | Big Ten | Glenn Thistlethwaite Glenn Thistlethwaite Glenn F. Thistlethwaite was an American football coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Earlham College , Northwestern University , the University of Wisconsin–Madison , Carroll College in Wisconsin , and the University of Richmond ,... |
7–1 | 5–0 | |
| 1930 | Big Ten | Dick Hanley | 7–1 | 5–0 | |
| 1931 | Big Ten | Dick Hanley | 7-1-1 | 5–1 | |
| 1936 | Big Ten | Lynn Waldorf | 7–1 | 6-0 | |
| 1995 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team The 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A college football season.-Season:... |
Big Ten | Gary Barnett Gary Barnett Gary Barnett is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Fort Lewis College , Northwestern University , and the University of Colorado at Boulder , compiling a career college football record of 92–94–2... |
10–2 | 8–0 | |
| 1996 1996 Northwestern Wildcats football team The 1996 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A college football season.-Season:... |
Big Ten | Gary Barnett | 9–3 | 7–1 | |
| 2000 | Big Ten | Randy Walker | 8-4 | 6-2 | |
| Conference Champions | 8 | ||||
1876-1921: Beginnings
Football made its debut at Northwestern University on February 22, 1876 during an exhibition game between NU students and the Chicago Football Club. Despite the fact that there was no organized league, there was a growing interest for football on Northwestern's campus. Until Northwestern's first intercollegiate game against Lake ForestLake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
in 1882, football was played entirely as an intramural sport. From 1882 to 1887, the team mostly practiced and did not play teams outside of NU. In 1891, with the popularity of football increasing, Sheppard Field—complete with a grandstand—was built at Northwestern and dedicated in 1892. Also in 1892, the university chose royal purple as the school's official color, and the team recorded its first significant win, beating Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
10-8. In 1896, along with six other schools, Northwestern became a charter member of the Western Conference, the predecessor of the Big Ten. NU's first conference season was a huge success, posting a 46-6 win against then-powerhouse University of Chicago
Chicago Maroons football
The Chicago Maroons are the college football team representing the University of Chicago. The Maroons play in NCAA Division III as a member of the University Athletic Association. From 1892 to 1939, the Maroons were a major college football power...
and finished second to Wisconsin.
The team's success in 1896 carried through the turn of the century. From 1899-1902, the Wildcats were 25-16-4 under Coach Charles Hollister. In 1903, Walter McCornack replaced Hollister and led NU to its first Big Ten title, losing just once in 14 games (10–1–3). Of note, the season included scoreless ties against Chicago and Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
NU would add Carlisle
Carlisle Indians football
The Carlisle Indians football team represented the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in intercollegiate football competition. The program was active from 1893 until 1917, when it was discontinued. During the program's 25 years, the Indians compiled a 167–88–13 record and 0.647 winning percentage,...
great Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson (quarterback)
Jimmy Johnson was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.-Biography:Johnson was born on June 6, 1879 in Edgerton, WI....
as a graduate student in 1904, a season in which Northwestern posted eight shutout wins.
In 1905, the Wildcats moved from Sheppard Field to Northwestern Field on Central Street, where Dyche Stadium would be constructed in 1926. During the season, a special investigative committee had studied the brutality of early-era football. Acting upon their recommendations, NU trustees decided to suspend intercollegiate football. The school did not field a varsity football team in 1906 or 1907. Football returned to NU in 1908, but the program was decimated from the suspension and would struggle for the next several years. Promise returned with the arrival of Northwestern's first true star, John "Paddy" Driscroll
Paddy Driscoll
John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
in 1915. Driscoll was a triple threat
Triple threat man
In gridiron football, the phrase triple-threat man refers to a player who excels at all three of the skills of running, passing, and kicking. In modern usage, such a player would be referred to as a utility player....
player: a decent passer, a spectacular runner, and could drop kick and punt with precision. Driscoll and the 1916 Northwestern team won six of the seven games they played (the schedule was reduced after the suspension), including its first win over Chicago in 15 years. Northwestern was undefeated until its seventh game against Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
, a highly anticipated match between Driscoll and Buckeyes star Chic Harley
Chic Harley
Charles William "Chic" Harley was one of the outstanding American football players of the first half of the 20th century and the player who first brought the Ohio State University football program to national attention. Harley was Ohio State's first consensus first-team All-America selection and...
. Ohio State won 23-3, costing NU a Big Ten title. After Driscoll's career, the team declined during the World War I years.
1922-1926: The Glenn Thistlethwaite era
Following a winless 1921 season, Northwestern set up a committee to investigate the problem with Northwestern's football team. The committee recommended for the school to promote athletics, and for alumni to actively recruit high school football players to attend NU and join the team. Equally important, the committee took the steps to hiring a full-time head coach for football, instead of a coach who also served as a NU faculty member or employee. Glenn ThistlethwaiteGlenn Thistlethwaite
Glenn F. Thistlethwaite was an American football coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Earlham College , Northwestern University , the University of Wisconsin–Madison , Carroll College in Wisconsin , and the University of Richmond ,...
became the head coach for the 1922 season and helped change the culture of the program, as the Wildcats' depth and quality improved. Another key factor to NU's gridiron improvement was the leadership of NU President Walter Dill Scott
Walter Dill Scott
Walter Dill Scott was one of the first applied psychologists. He applied psychology to various business practices such as personnel selection and advertising.-Life:...
Scott, who was a guard on NU's football team as an undergrad during the 1890s, was a strong supporter of athletics. Of importance, Scott helped raise money for a new football facility, Dyche Stadium.
The 1924 team, led by center Tim Lowry
Tim Lowry
Timothy G. Lowry was an American football player and lawyer. He played center for the Northwestern University football team from 1923 to 1925. At the conclusion of the 1925 football season, he became the second person to receive the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable...
and triple threat halfback Ralph Baker
Ralph Baker
Ralph Robert Baker is a former professional American football player.Baker was drafted in both the 1964 AFL and NFL drafts—the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with their 3rd-round pick, while the New York Jets used their 6th-round pick to select him...
, was very competitive and finished with a 4–4 record. In fact, the team's performance against Chicago earned NU the nickname "Wildcats" after Chicago Sun-Times writer Wallace Abbey wrote that Chicago was stopped by a "wall of Purple Wildcats." In 1925, Northwestern pulled off a huge upset against Michigan, winning 3-2 at Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
. The three points were the only points scored against the Wolverines
1925 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1925 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the college football season of 1925. The team's head football coach was Fielding H. Yost. The 1925 team compiled a record of 7–1 and outscored opponents by a combined score of 227 to 3...
who posted shut out wins in every other game that season. The following season, the Wildcats celebrated their inaugural season at Dyche Stadium by sharing the 1926 Western Conference Title with Michigan.
1927-1934: The Dick Hanley era
Richard E. "Dick" Hanley was the head coach for the Wildcats for eight years, starting in 1927. Through these eight years, he complied a record of 36–26–4, which is a winning percentage of .576. This ranks him third at Northwestern in total wins, sixth in winning percentage, and first in winning percentage out of coaches with at least five years. The Wildcats were able to win a share of the Western Conference title in both 19301930 college football season
The 1930 college football season saw Notre Dame repeat as national champion under the Dickinson system, and a post-season Rose Bowl matchup between two unbeaten teams, Washington State and Alabama, ranked #2 and #3, respectively...
and 1931
1931 college football season
The 1931 college football season saw the USC Trojans win the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy as national champion under the Dickinson system. Rockne, who had coached Notre Dame to a championship in 1930, had been killed in a plane crash on March 31, 1931. For the first time, the champion under the...
, tying with Michigan and Michigan/Purdue, respectively. In both seasons, NU finished fourth in the final Dickinson rankings
Dickinson System
The Dickinson System was a mathematical point formula that awarded national championships in college football. Devised by University of Illinois economics professor Frank G...
.
1935-1946: The Pappy Waldorf era
Lynn O. "Pappy" WaldorfPappy Waldorf
Lynn Osbert "Pappy" Waldorf was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, now Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, , Kansas State University , Northwestern University , and the University of California, Berkeley ,...
started his head coach tenure at Northwestern in 1935, a position he would hold for 12 years. The 12 years are the most of any Northwestern head coach. During these years, NU complied a record of 49–45–7, which ranks Waldorf first in total wins and total ties. In his very first season at Northwestern, Waldorf was named college football's first national coach of the year. In his second season, he took Northwestern to the Western Conference crown and a #7 ranking in the final AP poll. While at Northwestern, Waldorf also convinced future legend Otto Graham
Otto Graham
Otto Everett Graham, Jr. was a professional American football and basketball player who played for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference and National Football League, as well as the Rochester Royals in the National Basketball League.-Early life:Born in Waukegan,...
to try out for football.
1947-1954: The Bob Voigts era
Robert W. "Bob" VoigtsBob Voigts
-External links:...
became the head coach of NU starting in 1947. The lone highlight of Voigts' coaching career at NU came in his second season, in which he led the Wildcats to a 8-2 record. Northwestern finished second in the conference and played in their first bowl game, the Rose Bowl
1949 Rose Bowl
The 1949 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game. It was the 35th Rose Bowl Game, and the third since the Big Nine Conference and Pacific Coast Conference agreed to an exclusive agreement to match their conference champions. The Northwestern Wildcats defeated the California Golden Bears 20-14...
. The Wildcats defeated California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
, 20–14. As of the 2011 season, this remains Northwestern's only bowl win. NU finished 7th in the final AP poll. During these years, Northwestern compiled a record of 33–39–1.
1955-1963: The Ara Parseghian era
In Lou SabanLou Saban
Louis Henry Saban was an American football player and coach. Saban played for Indiana University in college and as a pro for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference...
's only year as head coach, the Wildcats had a winless season with a 0–8–1 record. The following year, Ara Parseghian
Ara Parseghian
Ara Raoul Parseghian is a former American football player and coach of Armenian descent. He served as the head football coach at Miami University , Northwestern University , and the University of Notre Dame , compiling a career college football record of 170–58–6...
was named head coach. During his tenure, NU compiled a record of 36–35–1, with winning seasons from 1958
1958 college football season
The 1958 college football season was the first to feature the two point conversion. On January 13, 1958, the 11-man NCAA Rules Committee unanimously approved a resolution to allow teams to choose between kicking an extra point after a touchdown, or running or passing from the 3 yard line for 2...
to 1960
1960 college football season
The 1960 college football season marked the last time that the University of Minnesota was a national champion on the gridiron. Murray Warmath's Minnesota Gophers were not in the Top 20 in preseason polling, but received the AP Trophy at the end of the regular season...
and 1962
1962 college football season
During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA did recognize a national champion based upon the final results of "wire service" polls. The extent of that recognition came in the form of acknowledgment in...
to 1963
1963 college football season
During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA Football Guide, however, did note an "unofficial national champion" based on the top ranked teams in the "wire service" polls...
.
1964-1972: The Alex Agase era
Alex AgaseAlex Agase
-External links:...
's head coaching career at Northwestern did not begin well, with the Wildcats finishing no higher than 6th in the conference in his first five years, and compiling losing records in his first six. In the 1970
1970 college football season
The 1970 college football season was marked by tragedy, due to two airplane crashes. On October 2, one of the planes carrying the Wichita State football team crashed on the way to a game against Utah State, killing 31 people on board, including 14 players...
and 1971
1971 college football season
The 1971 college football season saw Coach Bob Devaney's Nebraska Cornhuskers repeat as national champions. After being ranked 2nd in the preseason poll, Nebraska captured first place the following week and remained there for the rest of 1971 and won the Orange Bowl 38–6 in a #1 vs...
seasons, Northwestern finished second in the Big Ten, with overall records of 6–4 and 7–4. However, the following year, Northwestern would begin a streak of failure, achieving a record of 2–9. Agase would finish his career at Northwestern with a record of 32–58–1, which ranks first in total losses.
1972-1994: Years of futility
Northwestern's decline began in 1972, with a 2–9 season, and the Wildcats failed to win more than four games through 1975.After Northwestern beat Wyoming
Wyoming Cowboys
Wyoming Cowboys is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Wyoming. The women's teams use the name Cowgirls. The University is a member of the Mountain West Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 17 NCAA-sanctioned sports. Wrestling is the only varsity sport that is...
on September 15, 1979, the Wildcats began a streak of notority, and lost their remaining games on the season.Following a winless 1980 season, Northwestern president Robert Strotz dismissed athletic director John Pont
John Pont
John Pont was an American football player and coach. He served as head coach at Miami University, Yale University, Northwestern University and Indiana University. He was the only Indiana University coach to take a team to the Rose Bowl. Later in his career, Pont was recruited to start a football...
and head coach Rick Venturi
Rick Venturi
-External links:...
, who finished 1-31-1 in three seasons.
During the offseason, Stanford offensive coordinator Dennis Green
Dennis Green
Dennis "Denny" Green is an American football head coach for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League...
was hired to replace Venturi, becoming the first black coach in the history of the Big Ten Green was unable to prevent the team from setting the NCAA Division I record for consecutive losses during the 1981 season. A 61-14 loss to Michigan State was the Wildcats' 29th loss in a row, breaking its shared record with Kansas State and Virginia
. At the close of the game, Northwestern students rushed the field to "celebrate," and chanted "we're the worst!". Finally, on September 25, 1982, "the Streak" ended at 34 consecutive games with a win over Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois Huskies football
The Northern Illinois Huskies football team represents Northern Illinois University in the Mid-American Conference of the NCAA's Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision.-History:...
. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, NU students rushed the field, tore down the goalposts, and heaved them into nearby Lake Michigan.
Northwestern's former woes were in part due to the indifference of the school's administration in the 1970s and early 1980s, which resulted in a lower level of talent than that found at larger, public institutions. Northwestern is the lone private school in the Big Ten, and at 8,200 undergraduates, it is by far the smallest (by comparison, the second smallest school, Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes are the athletics teams that represent the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. The Hawkeyes have varsity teams in 24 sports, 11 for men and 13 for women. The teams participate in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and are members of the...
, has almost 21,000 undergraduates).
1995-1998: The Gary Barnett era
During the 1995 season, under head coach Gary BarnettGary Barnett
Gary Barnett is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Fort Lewis College , Northwestern University , and the University of Colorado at Boulder , compiling a career college football record of 92–94–2...
and the trio of quarterback Steve Schnur, running back Darnell Autry
Darnell Autry
Harrington Darnell Autry is a former American football player who played college football at Northwestern University. In his sophomore season, he helped lead the Northwestern Wildcats to the Big Ten Championship and the 1996 Rose Bowl...
, and linebacker Pat Fitzgerald
Pat Fitzgerald
-External links:*...
, Northwestern accomplished one of the most dramatic one-season turnarounds in college football history. "Expect Victory" was the motto, even as Northwestern began the season as 28-point underdogs. A shocking 17-15 season-opening win over the heavily favored Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
Fighting Irish, along with other unbelievable wins over Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
(19-13) and Penn State
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
(21-10), catapulted the team into the national spotlight and made them media darlings. Northwestern achieved a ranking of #3 in the nation and their first Big Ten title since 1936. The span of 59 years between titles is the longest in the history of the Big Ten Conference. They faced off against USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
in the Rose Bowl--only the second bowl appearance in school history. The Cinderella
Cinderella (sports)
In American and Canadian sports, a Cinderella or "Cinderella Story" refers to a team or player who advances much further in a tournament or career than originally anticipated. Cinderellas tend to gain much media and fan attention as they move closer to the championship game at the end of the...
season came to an abrupt halt with the Wildcats losing 41-32.
The subsequent 1996 season lived up to expectations, with the Wildcats repeating as Big Ten Champions (sharing the title with Ohio State). The team was nicknamed the "Cardiac Cats" for many dramatic, last second victories, including a 17-16 comeback over the University of Michigan. Down 16-0 entering the fourth quarter, the Wildcats scored 17 unanswered points, culminating with heart-stopping fourth down conversions and a last second field goal to complete the comeback. They earned an invitation to the Citrus Bowl
Citrus Bowl
The Florida Citrus Bowl is a stadium in Orlando, Florida, USA, built for football, which currently seats around 70,000 people....
, only to come up short against the Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
-led University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, 48-28.
Due to Barnett's success at Northwestern, he became a hot coaching commodity. Barnett rejected interest from such legendary college programs as Notre Dame, UCLA, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas. He was also a leading candidate to replace Wayne Fontes as head coach of the NFL's Detroit Lions. Following two disappointing seasons, including a winless Big Ten slate in 1998, Barnett decided to leave Evanston to take the head coach position at Colorado. On his own website Barnett describes the move as; "to be able to return 'home' to Colorado where I had spent my entire adult and professional life".
1999-2005: The Randy Walker era
After Barnett was signed away by the ColoradoUniversity of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
Buffaloes
Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado Boulder sponsors 16 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's team are called the Buffaloes or Golden Buffaloes . "Lady Buffs" referred to the women's teams beginning in the 1970s, but was officially dropped in 1993...
following the 1998 season, Coach Randy Walker
Randy Walker (football coach)
Randy J. Walker was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1990 to 1998 and at Northwestern University from 1999 to 2005, compiling a career college football record of 96–81–5...
(formerly of Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
) was called to lead the team. Coincidentally, it was Coach Walker's Miami Redhawks, who handed NU their only regular season loss during the miracle 1995 season. Coach Walker, a former standout tailback at Miami University, placed special emphasis on developing Northwestern's offense, especially at the running back position. Walker ran a conventional pro style offense during the 1999 season, which resulted in a 3-8 record. Following the season Coach Walker and offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson, visited Rich Rodriguez and Tommy Bowden at Clemson to learn from the offense that they were running. He also made a trip to meet with Mike Martz from the St. Louis Rams to pick up ideas. Coach Walker adapted the more passing based spread offenses to implement his desire to run the ball effectively. The 2000 season, fueled by Damien Anderson
Damien Anderson
Damien Ramone Anderson is a professional American football and Canadian football running back who retired in 2008. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2002...
, saw the Wildcats emerge with an exciting no huddle, "spread offense." The spread offense employed many wide receivers to spread out the defense, thus allowing more cracks in the defense for running or passing plays. A 54-51 shootout victory over the University of Michigan led commentators to dub it "basketball on grass." That game became an ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
Instant Classic and was representative of the season, which saw frequent high scores and dramatic finishes. The high-scoring offense usually was enough to overcome the porous defense, and the Wildcats earned their third Big Ten title in six years (co-champions). Anderson also finished second nationally in rushing yards (behind LaDanian Tomlinson). However, the Wildcats were blown out by the Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference...
in the Alamo Bowl
2000 Alamo Bowl
The 2000 edition to the Alamo Bowl featured the , and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Despite both teams being ranked, it was the biggest blowout in the game's history...
66-17. Coach Walker's offense revolutionized college football. In 2001, after being named head coach at Bowling Green, Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011...
, had his staff visit Evanston to learn from Walker and Wilson. There is little that Meyer is running at Florida in 2008 that Northwestern was not already running in 2000. The 2001 brough high expectations for the Wildcat program. The offense returned 10 of 11 starters. The untimely death of defensive back Rashidi Wheeler, during preseason workout drills, cast a cloud over the season. The Wildcats suffered a number of close losses in route to a disappointing 4-7 record. The Wildcats did not make the postseason again until December 26, 2003, when they lost to Bowling Green
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
by a score of 28-24 in the Motor City Bowl
Motor City Bowl
The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually since 1997. The first five games were played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Starting in 2002, the game was moved to 65,000-seat Ford Field in downtown...
. In 2004, the Wildcats beat then-ranked #6 Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
in overtime to garner their first win over the Buckeyes since 1971, but that victory was the season's only national highlight. The 2005 season was Northwestern's best since 2000, finishing 7-5 and ending up ranked #25 in the BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
poll. The team appeared in the AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and Coaches' polls for the first time since October 2001. The Wildcats earned an invitation to the Sun Bowl
2005 Sun Bowl
The 2005 Sun Bowl, known as the Vitalis Sun Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 30, 2005 in El Paso, Texas. It was the 72nd Sun Bowl. It featured the , and the Northwestern Wildcats. UCLA overcame a 22-0 deficit to Northwestern in the first quarter to win 50-38. This is the...
, only to lose to UCLA
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins are the sports teams for University of California, Los Angeles . The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Pacific-12 Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I...
, 50-38.
2006-Present: The Pat Fitzgerald era
Randy Walker died unexpectedly on June 29, 2006 of an apparent heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the age of 52. Pat Fitzgerald
Pat Fitzgerald
-External links:*...
(seen by many before the tragedy as Walker's eventual successor once his contract expired) was promoted from linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator to head coach on July 7, 2006. Walker's death was not the team's only loss; the Wildcats also had to replace their offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and Brett Basanez
Brett Basanez
Brett Stephen Basanez is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Northwestern....
, the team's former four-year starter at quarterback and holder of dozens of school records. Hence, the 2006 season was a departure from the previous years' successes. The season began with a win at Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
, Walker's alma mater, an emotional game that featured several tributes to the late coach. However, the season went downhill from there. The low point was the October 21 home loss to Michigan State, in which the Spartans staged the largest comeback in Division I-A history. A win against Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
in the final game gave the Wildcats a 4-8 record for the year and saved them from finishing last in the Big Ten.
Before the beginning of the 2007 season, Northwestern showed potential for improvement upon last year's record. ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
's Mark Schlabach
Mark Schlabach
Mark Schlabach is an author and columnist for ESPN.com. Schlabach joined ESPN.com in July 2006 as a college football and college basketball columnist. He is notable during college football season for the weekly "Bottom 10" article....
stated that Northwestern had the 7th-easiest schedule in college football, and SI.com's Steve Megargee claimed that Indiana was the only Big Ten school with an easier schedule. Running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Tyrell Sutton
Tyrell Sutton
Tyrell DelShawn Sutton, , is an American football running back who formerly played for the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
was one of 64 players in college football to be put on the Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
watch list for the nation's best college football player.
The Wildcats began the season with their first shutout since 1997 in a 27-0 win against the Northeastern Huskies. On October 7, quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
C.J. Bacher broke Brett Basanez
Brett Basanez
Brett Stephen Basanez is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Northwestern....
's school record for single-game passing yards by throwing for 520 yards in a victory over Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
. Bacher went on to be named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, as well as the Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Another strong performance in a win against Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
earned Bacher Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second week in a row.
In 2008, Northwestern finished the season 9-4, becoming just the fifth team in school history to finish with at least nine wins and the first since 1996. The Wildcats were invited to the 2008 Alamo Bowl
2008 Alamo Bowl
The 2008 Valero Alamo Bowl is a college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–2009 bowl season of the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 2008 game was the 16th annual edition of the contest, the second to be sponsored by Valero Energy Corporation, and was played on December 29,...
to play the Missouri Tigers
2008 Missouri Tigers football team
The 2008 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in college football's 2008 season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel, who returned in his eighth season with Mizzou, and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.Quarterback Chase Daniel returned for...
. However, they lost 23-20 in an overtime thriller. Northwestern finished the 2009 season 8-5. Having finished 9-4 the season before, the 'Cats won eight games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1995 and 1996. The Wildcats were invited to the 2010 Outback Bowl
2010 Outback Bowl
The 2010 Outback Bowl was the 24th edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game started at 11 AM US EST on Friday, January 1, 2010. The game was telecast on ESPN and matched Auburn University against Northwestern University...
vs. the Auburn Tigers
2009 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2009 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by first year head coach Gene Chizik...
. It was their first January bowl since 1997. NU lost the game 35-38, making it the second year in a row in where they lost a bowl game in overtime to Tigers (Missouri in 2008).
Current Coaching Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Pat Fitzgerald Pat Fitzgerald -External links:*... |
Head Coach |
| Jerry Brown | Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach |
| Mick McCall | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach |
| Mike Hankwitz | Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach |
| Adam Cushing | Recruiting Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach |
| Randy Bates | Linebackers Coach |
| Bob Heffner | Superbacks Coach |
| Marty Long | Defensive Line Coach |
| Matt MacPherson | Running Backs Coach |
| Vacant | Wide Receivers Coach |
Northwestern football traditions
- Northwestern Stripes
In 1928, Northwestern added a unique sleeve-stripe pattern to its jerseys: a narrow stripe, over a wide center stripe, over a narrow stripe. The jersey was considered one of the first modern football uniforms, and was soon replicated across football. The sleeve striping was such a fixture of the program that the pattern eventually became known as "Northwestern stripes." Northwestern stripes have not always appeared on NU football jerseys, though the team's current uniforms sport the pattern.
- Willie the Wildcat
Even before the Wildcats became the official school nickname for NU, a caged live bear cub named Furpaw was the team's mascot. In 1923, however, the team had a bad season and decided the mascot was bad luck. During the following season, the nickname Wildcats was officially adopted by the university after the teams defense was described as a "wall of Purple wildcats" by Chicago Sun-Times writer Wallace Abbey. Previously, the team was either known as the Purple or the Fighting Methodists. In 1933, the NU athletic department and an ad agency, created the first image of Willie the Wildcat, though he did not come to life until 1947 when Alpha Delta
Alpha Delta Phi
Alpha Delta Phi is a Greek-letter social college fraternity and the fourth-oldest continuous Greek-letter fraternity in the United States and Canada. Alpha Delta Phi was founded on October 29, 1832 by Samuel Eells at Hamilton College and includes former U.S. Presidents, Chief Justices of the U.S....
fraternity members dressed up as the mascot.
- Camp Kenosha
Since 1992, when Barnett
Gary Barnett
Gary Barnett is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Fort Lewis College , Northwestern University , and the University of Colorado at Boulder , compiling a career college football record of 92–94–2...
decided to move the team's preseason practices off-campus, NU has conducted Camp Kenosha, its preseason camp on the campus of University of Wisconsin–Parkside in Kenosha, WI.
- Laking the Posts
- The Marshmallow Toss
- The Purple Clock
Starting with the 1995 season, the clockface of the Rebecca Crown Tower on the NU campus would change from white to purple following an NU win . Since the 1997 season, if the Wildcats win their final game of the season, the clock will remain purple for the entire off-season. In the past few years, the tradition has been expanded to honor championships in other NU varsity sports including lacrosse and tennis.
- Northwestern University Wildcat Marching BandNorthwestern University Wildcat Marching BandThe Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band is the marching band of Northwestern University. NUMB provides pre-game, halftime, and postgame field performances at all home football games while school is in session as well as performing in various pep bands and at "Wildcat Alley" before the...
The students and the Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band
Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band
The Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band is the marching band of Northwestern University. NUMB provides pre-game, halftime, and postgame field performances at all home football games while school is in session as well as performing in various pep bands and at "Wildcat Alley" before the...
generally sit in one section near the goal line. The cheerleaders and marching band lead the students with certain cheers, such as "Go U, NU," and "Let's go 'Cats!" In a tradition called the "Growl", started by the marching band in the 1960s, the students extend their arms and make a claw with their hands like that of a wildcat while screaming to intimidate and confuse opposing teams' offenses. Northwestern students also sing the fight song after scoring. The "Alma Mater" (the traditional school song, different from the fight song, "Go U Northwestern") is usually sung at the end of the game and played by the marching band at halftime
- Push-ups
Cheerleaders, along with Willie the Wildcat and the marching band's "Spirit Team", perform push-ups after every touchdown, equal to Northwestern's cumulative score. While lots of mascots do push-ups after touchdowns, the unique aspect at NU is that the student section will follow suit, usually hoisting selected fellow students up into the air while in the stands, counting out the number of NU points on the scoreboard.
- Keys at Kickoff
Other notable traditions include the jiggling of keys before every kickoff. This action plays on Northwestern's academic rigors, and is meant to symbolize that regardless of how the game turns out, the opposing school's graduates will eventually be parking the cars of the Northwestern students.The generic "State School" chant is also employed.
- Put your hands up in the air
Before the 4th quarter of Northwestern football games a video screen plays the song "Put Your Hands Up in the Air" by Danzel
Danzel
Danzel is a Belgian musician of house, techno and dance, who reached the number 11 in the UK Singles Chart in November 2004 with the single, "Pump It Up!"....
, preceded by an announcement by a local celebrity. Celebrity announcers have included Pat Fitzgerald, Brian Urlacher
Brian Urlacher
Brian Keith Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was one of the school's most decorated athletes. In addition to setting multiple university records, Urlacher earned consideration for the...
, Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
, and Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane
Patrick Timothy Kane, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . The Blackhawks selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.-Minor and junior:Kane attended the St...
.
University of Illinois
The Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The University offers 10 men's and 11 women's varsity sports....
are the Wildcats' most natural rival. The series dates back to 1892 and the two schools have played annually since 1927, with the Illini holding a 46-52-5 overall advantage. In April 2010, a deal was reached for the annual rivalry game to be played at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
on November 20, 2010.
Since 2009, the schools have competed for the Land of Lincoln Trophy
Land of Lincoln Trophy
The Land of Lincoln Trophy is presented to the winner of the annual college football game between Illinois rivals Northwestern University, located in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, and the University of Illinois, located on the border between the central Illinois cities of Champaign and Urbana...
. From 1947 through 2008, the teams competed for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk was presented to the winner of the annual college football game between Illinois rivals Northwestern University, located in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, and the University of Illinois, located on the border between the central Illinois cities of Champaign and Urbana...
Trophy, since retired as part of a ruling by the NCAA requiring Illinois to purge Native American imagery from their athletics. The origins of the trophy derived from a wooden cigar store Indian named Sweet Sioux, which was stolen and replaced by a tomahawk. The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk permanently remains in Evanston.
The NU-Illinois rivalry was protected during the Big Ten divisional alignment and the two schools will continue to meet as a protected crossover on an annual basis, similar to Michigan-Ohio State.
Notre Dame
Starting in the 1920s, Northwestern and Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
played for a Shillelagh until the mid 1970s. The trophy game was created at the behest of Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
, who wanted a rivalry in the Chicago area to help build Notre Dame's fan base in the area. NU and ND stopped playing regularly after the 1970s, though the rivalry was renewed from 1992-1995. When NU stunned Notre Dame as a 28-point underdog in 1995, the Chicago Sun-Times billed it as the "Upset of the Century.". The two schools have not met since; Notre Dame holds the all-time advantage 37-8-2. The two schools will renew their rivalry in a two game series beginning with Northwestern traveling to South Bend in 2014 followed by Notre Dame traveling to Evanston in 2018.
University of Chicago
From 1897-1926 Northwestern forged an intense rivalry with the University of ChicagoChicago Maroons football
The Chicago Maroons are the college football team representing the University of Chicago. The Maroons play in NCAA Division III as a member of the University Athletic Association. From 1892 to 1939, the Maroons were a major college football power...
during the early years of the program. Northwestern and Chicago share the city of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
- representing the "north side" and the "south side," respectively. They were also the only two private institutions in the Big Ten and are both considered elite universities with especially strong academic and professional rivalries in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, business
Business school
A business school is a university-level institution that confers degrees in Business Administration. It teaches topics such as accounting, administration, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems, marketing, organizational behavior, public relations, strategy, human resource...
, medicine
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
, and law
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
.
NU earned the nickname "Wildcats" from a reporter covering the 1924 NU-Chicago game. The final game of the series, a 38-7 NU win, helped transfer the Chicago football focus from the Maroons to the Wildcats, where it remained until the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
gained popularity in the mid-1950s
Logos and uniforms
Bowl games
| Season | Game | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Rose Bowl 1949 Rose Bowl The 1949 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game. It was the 35th Rose Bowl Game, and the third since the Big Nine Conference and Pacific Coast Conference agreed to an exclusive agreement to match their conference champions. The Northwestern Wildcats defeated the California Golden Bears 20-14... |
California California Golden Bears football The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to... |
W, 20-14 |
| 1995 | Rose Bowl 1996 Rose Bowl The 1996 Rose Bowl was the 82nd Rose Bowl Game. It was the 50th game in the series featuring the Big Ten Conference and the Pacific-10 Conference. The USC Trojans defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 41-32 on the strength of two touchdown passes from USC QB Brad Otton to WR Keyshawn Johnson... |
USC | L, 32-41 |
| 1996 | Citrus Bowl Capital One Bowl The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl... |
Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers football The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference .... |
L, 28-48 |
| 2000 | Alamo Bowl 2000 Alamo Bowl The 2000 edition to the Alamo Bowl featured the , and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Despite both teams being ranked, it was the biggest blowout in the game's history... |
Nebraska | L, 17-66 |
| 2003 | Motor City Bowl 2003 Motor City Bowl The 2003 Motor City Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the and the on December 26, 2003, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Northwestern led early after shutting down Bowling Green's running game but Bowling Green made a comeback in the second half led by a strong passing... |
Bowling Green Bowling Green State University Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State... |
L, 24-28 |
| 2005 | Sun Bowl 2005 Sun Bowl The 2005 Sun Bowl, known as the Vitalis Sun Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 30, 2005 in El Paso, Texas. It was the 72nd Sun Bowl. It featured the , and the Northwestern Wildcats. UCLA overcame a 22-0 deficit to Northwestern in the first quarter to win 50-38. This is the... |
UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll... |
L, 38-50 |
| 2008 | Alamo Bowl 2008 Alamo Bowl The 2008 Valero Alamo Bowl is a college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–2009 bowl season of the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 2008 game was the 16th annual edition of the contest, the second to be sponsored by Valero Energy Corporation, and was played on December 29,... |
Missouri 2008 Missouri Tigers football team The 2008 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in college football's 2008 season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel, who returned in his eighth season with Mizzou, and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.Quarterback Chase Daniel returned for... |
L, 23-30 (OT) |
| 2009 | Outback Bowl 2010 Outback Bowl The 2010 Outback Bowl was the 24th edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game started at 11 AM US EST on Friday, January 1, 2010. The game was telecast on ESPN and matched Auburn University against Northwestern University... |
Auburn 2009 Auburn Tigers football team The 2009 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by first year head coach Gene Chizik... |
L, 35-38 (OT) |
| 2010 | TicketCity Bowl | Texas Tech 2010 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team The 2010 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by first-year head coach Tommy Tuberville and played its home games at Jones AT&T Stadium. They were members of the South Division of the Big 12... |
L, 38-45 |
College Football Hall of Fame Members
| Name | Position | Years at NU | Inducted | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otto Graham Otto Graham Otto Everett Graham, Jr. was a professional American football and basketball player who played for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference and National Football League, as well as the Rochester Royals in the National Basketball League.-Early life:Born in Waukegan,... |
Quarterback | 1941-43 | 1956 | ||
| Alex Agase Alex Agase -External links:... |
Coach | 1964-72 | 1963 | ||
| Lynn Waldorf | Coach | 1935-46 | 1966 | ||
| Jimmy Johnson Jimmy Johnson (quarterback) Jimmy Johnson was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.-Biography:Johnson was born on June 6, 1879 in Edgerton, WI.... |
Quarterback | 1904-05 | 1969 | ||
| Paddy Driscoll Paddy Driscoll John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team... |
Halfback | 1915-16 | 1974 | ||
| Charlie Bachman Charlie Bachman Charles William "Charlie" Bachman, Jr. was an American college football player and head coach. Bachman was an Illinois native and an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, where he played college football... |
Coach | 1919 | 1978 | ||
| Pug Rentner Pug Rentner Ernest John "Pug" Rentner was an American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Boston Redskins and the Chicago Bears... |
Halfback | 1930-32 | 1979 | ||
| Ara Parseghian Ara Parseghian Ara Raoul Parseghian is a former American football player and coach of Armenian descent. He served as the head football coach at Miami University , Northwestern University , and the University of Notre Dame , compiling a career college football record of 170–58–6... |
Coach | 1956-63 | 1980 | ||
| Ralph Baker Ralph Baker Ralph Robert Baker is a former professional American football player.Baker was drafted in both the 1964 AFL and NFL drafts—the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with their 3rd-round pick, while the New York Jets used their 6th-round pick to select him... |
End | 1924-26 | 1981 | ||
| Steve Reid | Guard | 1934-36 | 1985 | ||
| Jack Riley | Tackle | 1929-31 | 1988 | ||
| Edgar Manske Edgar Manske Edgar John "Eggs" Manske was a former professional American football player who played six seasons in the National Football League. Manske was the last NFL player to play without a football helmet... |
End | 1931-33 | 1989 | ||
| Ron Burton Ron Burton Ronald E. "Ron" Burton became a college All-American running back at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, a member of the Northwestern Hall of Fame, and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.... |
Halfback | 1957-59 | 1990 | ||
| Alex Sarkisian Alex Sarkisian Alex Sarkisian was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. His father was an immigrant steelworker.-References:... |
Center | 1946-48 | 1998 | ||
| Pat Fitzgerald Pat Fitzgerald -External links:*... |
Linebacker | 1993-96 | 2008 | ||
| College Football Hall of Fame Members | 15 | ||||
List of All-Americans
List of First Team All-AmericansList per NU Athletics
- 1925: Tim LowryTim LowryTimothy G. Lowry was an American football player and lawyer. He played center for the Northwestern University football team from 1923 to 1925. At the conclusion of the 1925 football season, he became the second person to receive the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable...
(Center) - 1926: Ralph BakerRalph BakerRalph Robert Baker is a former professional American football player.Baker was drafted in both the 1964 AFL and NFL drafts—the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with their 3rd-round pick, while the New York Jets used their 6th-round pick to select him...
(Halfback) - 1926: Bob Johnson (Tackle)
- 1929: Henry Anderson (Guard)
- 1930: Frank Baker (End)
- 1930: Fayette Russell (Fullback)
- 1930: Wade Woodworth (Guard)
- 1931: Dalls Marvil (Tackle)
- 1931: Ernest Rentner (Halfback)
- 1931: Jack Riley (Tackle)
- 1933: Edgar ManskeEdgar ManskeEdgar John "Eggs" Manske was a former professional American football player who played six seasons in the National Football League. Manske was the last NFL player to play without a football helmet...
(End) - 1935: Paul Tangora (Linebacker)
- 1936: Steve Reid (Guard)
- 1938: Bob VoigtsBob Voigts-External links:...
(Tackle) - 1939: John Haman (Center)
- 1940: Alf Bauman (Tackle)
- 1943: Otto GrahamOtto GrahamOtto Everett Graham, Jr. was a professional American football and basketball player who played for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference and National Football League, as well as the Rochester Royals in the National Basketball League.-Early life:Born in Waukegan,...
(Halfback) - 1943: Herb Hein (End)
- 1945: Max Morris (End)
- 1948: Art Murakowski (Fullback)
- 1948: Alex SarkisianAlex SarkisianAlex Sarkisian was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. His father was an immigrant steelworker.-References:...
(Center) - 1950: Don Stonesifer (End)
- 1952: Joe CollierJoe CollierJoel D. Collier is a former American football coach. He was head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills from 1966 through part of 1968, compiiling a 13–16–1 record....
(End) - 1958: Andy CverckoAndy CverckoAndrew Bertram Cvercko is a former American football guard in the National Football League for four years. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft....
(Tackle) - 1959: Ron BurtonRon BurtonRonald E. "Ron" Burton became a college All-American running back at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, a member of the Northwestern Hall of Fame, and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame....
(Halfback) - 1959: James Andreotti (Center)
- 1961: Larry Onesti (Center)
- 1962: Jack Cvercko (Guard)
- 1962: Tom Myers (Quarterback)
- 1970: Mike AdamleMike AdamleMichael David "Mike" Adamle is a sports personality and former National Football League player. He is best known as the co-host of American Gladiators series for seven years....
(Fullback) - 1971: Eric Hutchinson (Safety)
- 1982: Chris HintonChris HintonChristopher Hinton is a former American football tackle and guard who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the Indianapolis Colts. He was traded from the Denver Broncos for John Elway. He went to seven Pro Bowls, six with the Colts and one with the Atlanta Falcons...
(Tackle) - 1983: John Kidd (Punter)
- 1995: Sam Valenzisi (Kicker)
- 1995: Pat FitzgeraldPat Fitzgerald-External links:*...
(Linebacker) - 1996: Pat Fitzgerald (Linebacker)
- 2000: Damien AndersonDamien AndersonDamien Ramone Anderson is a professional American football and Canadian football running back who retired in 2008. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2002...
(Running Back) - 2005: Zach StriefZach StriefZachary David Strief is an American football offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He lived in Milford, Ohio where he played for his varsity football team, the Milford Eagles...
(Offensive Tackle)
Individual national honors
- Pat FitzgeraldPat Fitzgerald-External links:*...
received the Bednarik Award in 1995 and 1996 - Pat Fitzgerald received the Bronko Nagurski TrophyBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
in 1995 and 1996 - Jason Wright received the Bobby Bowden Award in 2003
National coaching awards
- Pappy WaldorfPappy WaldorfLynn Osbert "Pappy" Waldorf was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, now Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, , Kansas State University , Northwestern University , and the University of California, Berkeley ,...
received the AFCA Coach of the YearAFCA Coach of the YearThe AFCA Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the American Football Coaches Association . The award has had several different sponors over the years, including Eastman Kodak Corporation, and thus also been named the Kodak Coach of the Year Award.-Football Bowl...
award in 1935 - Alex AgaseAlex Agase-External links:...
received the National Coach of the YearEddie Robinson Coach of the YearThe Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State who holds the second best record for most Division I wins with 408 behind only Joe...
award from the FWAA in 1970. - Gary BarnettGary BarnettGary Barnett is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Fort Lewis College , Northwestern University , and the University of Colorado at Boulder , compiling a career college football record of 92–94–2...
received the following awards in 1995:
- AFCA Coach of the YearAFCA Coach of the YearThe AFCA Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the American Football Coaches Association . The award has had several different sponors over the years, including Eastman Kodak Corporation, and thus also been named the Kodak Coach of the Year Award.-Football Bowl...
, Eddie Robinson Coach of the YearEddie Robinson Coach of the YearThe Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State who holds the second best record for most Division I wins with 408 behind only Joe...
, the Sporting News College Football Coach of the YearSporting News College Football Coach of the YearThe Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year Award is an award that is given annually to NCAA college football's national coach of the year. The Sporting News established the award beginning in 1963...
, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year AwardBobby Dodd Coach of the Year AwardThe Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award is an annual college football award given to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The award is named for Bobby Dodd, longtime head football coach at Georgia Tech and was...
, Woody Hayes Trophy, Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year AwardThe Home Depot Coach of the Year AwardThe Home Depot Coach of the Year Award is given annually to college football's top head coach. The award for the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision is selected by ESPN and ABC college football analysts. No coach has ever won the award twice.-Winners:...
, and the George Munger AwardGeorge Munger AwardThe George Munger Award was presented to the NCAA Division I college football coach of the year by the Maxwell Football Club from 1989 to 2009. The award was named after former University of Pennsylvania head coach George Munger...
Chicago Tribune Silver Football
Five players from Northwestern have won the Chicago Tribune Silver FootballChicago Tribune Silver Football
The Chicago Tribune Silver Football is awarded by the Chicago Tribune to the college football player determined to be the best player from the Big Ten Conference. The award has been presented annually since 1924, when Red Grange of Illinois was the award's first recipient.The winner of the Silver...
- 1925: Tim LowryTim LowryTimothy G. Lowry was an American football player and lawyer. He played center for the Northwestern University football team from 1923 to 1925. At the conclusion of the 1925 football season, he became the second person to receive the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable...
- 1943: Otto GrahamOtto GrahamOtto Everett Graham, Jr. was a professional American football and basketball player who played for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference and National Football League, as well as the Rochester Royals in the National Basketball League.-Early life:Born in Waukegan,...
- 1948: Art MurakowskiArt MurakowskiArthur Raymond "Art" Murakowski was an American football player. He played fullback for the Northwestern University football team from 1946 to 1949. He was selected as a first-team All-American and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy in 1948 as the most valuable player in the Big Ten...
- 1970: Mike AdamleMike AdamleMichael David "Mike" Adamle is a sports personality and former National Football League player. He is best known as the co-host of American Gladiators series for seven years....
- 1992: Lee Gissendaner
Big Ten Players of the Year
- 1995: Pat Fitzgerald
- 1996: Pat Fitzgerald
- 2005: Brett BasanezBrett BasanezBrett Stephen Basanez is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Northwestern....
Big Ten Coach of the Year
- 1982: Dennis GreenDennis GreenDennis "Denny" Green is an American football head coach for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League...
- 1995: Gary Barnett
- 1996: Gary Barnett
- 2000: Randy Walker
American Football Coaches Association
Academic Achievement Awardpresented to the top FBS football program for graduation rate: 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007
(Only Duke, Notre Dame, and Boston College have received more awards)
CoSIDA Academic All-America
Academic All-Americans as determined by the College Sports Information Directors of America- 1956: Al Viola (Guard)
- 1958: Andy CverckoAndy CverckoAndrew Bertram Cvercko is a former American football guard in the National Football League for four years. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft....
(Tackle) - 1958: Gene Gossage (Tackle)
- 1961: Larry Onesti (Center)
- 1962: Paul FlatleyPaul FlatleyPaul Richard Flatley is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Northwestern Wildcats from 1960 to 1962 and later in the National Football League from 1963 to 1970....
(End) - 1963: George BurmanGeorge BurmanGeorge Robert Burman is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the 15th round of the 1964 NFL Draft....
(Tackle) - 1970: Eric Hutchinson (Defensive Back)
- 1970: Joe Zigulich (Center)
- 1972: Mitch Anderson (Quarterback)
- 1975: Randy DeanRandy DeanRandolph "Randy" Hume Dean is a former American football quarterback who played for three seasons in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1977–1979. He played college football at Northwestern...
(Quarterback) - 1976: Randy Dean (Quarterback)
- 1979: Kevin Berg (Linebacker)
- 1980: Jim Ford (Offensive Tackle)
- 1986: Mike Baum (Offensive Tackle)
- 1986: Bob Dirkes (Defensive Guard)
- 1986: Todd Krehbiel (Defensive Back)
- 1986: Brian Nuffer (Running Back)
- 1987: Mike Baum (Offensive Tackle)
- 1988: Mike Baum (Offensive Tackle)
- 1990: Ira Adler (Kicker)
- 1995: Ryan Padgett (Offensive Line)
- 1995: Sam Valenzisi (Kicker)
- 1997: Barry GardnerBarry GardnerBarry Allan Gardner is an American football linebacker formerly for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is currently a free agent....
(Linebacker) - 2002: Jason Wright(Running Back)
- 2003: Jason Wright (Running Back)
- 2003: Jeff Backes (Cornerback)
- 2004: Jeff Backes (Cornerback)
- 2004: Luis Castillo (Defensive Tackle)
- 2008: Phil Brunner (Long Snapper)
- 2009: Zeke Markshausen (Wide Receiver)
- 2009: Stefan Demos (Kicker)
National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame
National Scholar-Athlete Award- 1976: Randy DeanRandy DeanRandolph "Randy" Hume Dean is a former American football quarterback who played for three seasons in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1977–1979. He played college football at Northwestern...
- 1998 Barry Gardner
Current NFL players
- Kevin BentleyKevin BentleyKevin Kinte Bentley is an American football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
linebacker - Luis CastilloLuis Castillo (football player)Luis Alberto Castillo , is a Dominican American football defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL...
, San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
2005 1st Round Draft Pick - Barry CofieldBarry CofieldBarry Joseph Cofield, Jr. is an American football nose tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.-High school years:...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive tackle - Marquice ColeMarquice ColeMarquice Jermal Cole [Mar-KWEECE] is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
cornerback - Trai EssexTrai EssexTrai J. Essex is an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League who has won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII.-High school years:...
, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
offensive tackle - Mike KafkaMike KafkaMichael John "Mike" Kafka is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwestern.Kafka attended St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago,...
, Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback - Sherrick McManisSherrick McManisSherrick Terravis McManis is an American football cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
cornerback - Nick RoachNick RoachNicholas Alexander Roach is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
linebacker - Zach StriefZach StriefZachary David Strief is an American football offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He lived in Milford, Ohio where he played for his varsity football team, the Milford Eagles...
, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
offensive tackle - Corey WoottonCorey WoottonCorey A. Wootton is an American football defensive end for the Chicago Bears. He played college football at Northwestern University. As a junior, he garnered first team All-Big Ten Conference honors...
, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive end - Jason WrightJason Wright (football player)Jason Gomillion Wright is a former American football running back who played for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
, Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
running back
Other alumni
- Mike AdamleMike AdamleMichael David "Mike" Adamle is a sports personality and former National Football League player. He is best known as the co-host of American Gladiators series for seven years....
, Chicago sports radio personality; former NFL running back - Dick AlbanDick AlbanRichard Herbert Alban is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1952 NFL Draft....
, Defensive back - Damien AndersonDamien AndersonDamien Ramone Anderson is a professional American football and Canadian football running back who retired in 2008. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2002...
, NFL running back - Doug AsadDoug AsadDouglas "Doug" Samuel Asad is a former American football tight end in the American Football League...
, (Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) - Darryl AshmoreDarryl AshmoreDarryl Allan Ashmore is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins. He played college football at Northwestern University. He replaced Hall Of Famer Jackie Slater in 1995 for two years...
, Offensive lineman - Adrian Autry
- Darnell AutryDarnell AutryHarrington Darnell Autry is a former American football player who played college football at Northwestern University. In his sophomore season, he helped lead the Northwestern Wildcats to the Big Ten Championship and the 1996 Rose Bowl...
, former NFL Running back; former Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
finalist - Louis Ayeni, football player (Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
) - Ralph BakerRalph Baker (halfback)Ralph "Moon" Baker was an American football halfback in college.Was the team captain of the Northwestern University football team, leading them to the Big Ten championship in 1926. Baker was an All-American along with teammate Bob Johnson...
, halfback - Cas BanaszekCas BanaszekCasimir Joseph Banaszek is a former professional American football offensive lineman who played ten seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He played his college football at Northwestern University, and has been named to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame....
, (San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
) - D'Wayne BatesD'Wayne BatesD'Wayne L. Bates is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. Bates played three seasons with the Chicago Bears and two with the Minnesota Vikings...
, former NFL wide receiver - Brett BasanezBrett BasanezBrett Stephen Basanez is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Northwestern....
, quarterback - Alf BaumanAlf BaumanAlfred Ernest "Alf" Bauman was an American football player. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Northwestern University where he played for the Wildcats from 1939-1941...
, Tackle - Sean BennettSean BennettWilliam Sean Bennett is a former professional American and Canadian football running back. He was drafted by the New York Giants of the National Football League in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
, Fullback - Larry BenzLarry BenzLarry Walker Benz is a former professional American football safety in the National Football League. He played three seasons for the Cleveland Browns....
, (Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) - Hank BruderHank BruderHenry George "Hank" Bruder was an American football player in the National Football League. He played nine years with the Green Bay Packers from 1931 to 1939 and was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1972....
, (Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
) - George BurmanGeorge BurmanGeorge Robert Burman is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the 15th round of the 1964 NFL Draft....
, Offensive Line - Ron BurtonRon BurtonRonald E. "Ron" Burton became a college All-American running back at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, a member of the Northwestern Hall of Fame, and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame....
, former New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
Running back - Woody Campbell (football player), Houston Oilers AFL All-Star
- Bob ChristianBob ChristianRobert Douglas Christian is a former American football fullback who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, the Carolina Panthers, and the Atlanta Falcons from 1992 to 2002. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft...
, (Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) Fullback - Joe CollierJoe CollierJoel D. Collier is a former American football coach. He was head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills from 1966 through part of 1968, compiiling a 13–16–1 record....
, Former (Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
)head coach - Steve CraigSteve CraigSteve Craig is an American football player who played tight end in the National Football League from 1974 to 1978 and played in two Super Bowls. He attended Garfield High School in Akron, Ohio, the same high school fellow NFL receiver Jim Lash attended, and Northwestern University...
, (Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
) Tight End - Irv CrossIrv CrossIrvin Acie "Irv" Cross is a former professional American football cornerback and sportscaster.-Playing career:Cross was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft. In 1966 he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Then in 1969, he returned to the Eagles and became...
, (Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) Defensive Back - Andy CverckoAndy CverckoAndrew Bertram Cvercko is a former American football guard in the National Football League for four years. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft....
, Guard
- Casey Dailey, Linebacker
- Randy DeanRandy DeanRandolph "Randy" Hume Dean is a former American football quarterback who played for three seasons in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1977–1979. He played college football at Northwestern...
, NFL quarterback - Bill DeCorrevontBill DeCorrevontWilliam John DeCorrevont was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Chicago Cardinals, and the Chicago Bears. He also played quarterback for the Detroit Lions...
, Running Back - John L. "Paddy" DriscollPaddy DriscollJohn Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
, football player and coach - Curtis DuncanCurtis DuncanCurtis Everett Duncan , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL Draft.A 5'11", 184-lb...
, (Houston Oilers) Wide Receiver - Pat FitzgeraldPat Fitzgerald-External links:*...
, current Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern WildcatsThe Northwestern Wildcats are the athletic teams that represent Northwestern University, a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and the only private university in the conference. Northwestern has eight men's and eleven women's Division I sports teams. The mascot is Willie the Wildcat...
football head coach - Paul FlatleyPaul FlatleyPaul Richard Flatley is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Northwestern Wildcats from 1960 to 1962 and later in the National Football League from 1963 to 1970....
, Wide Receiver (http://www.pal-item.com/article/20090910/NEWS02/909100328) - Barry GardnerBarry GardnerBarry Allan Gardner is an American football linebacker formerly for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is currently a free agent....
, (Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) linebacker - Brian Gowens, football player (Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) - Otto GrahamOtto GrahamOtto Everett Graham, Jr. was a professional American football and basketball player who played for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference and National Football League, as well as the Rochester Royals in the National Basketball League.-Early life:Born in Waukegan,...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback; member, NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time TeamNFL 75th Anniversary All-Time TeamThe National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team was chosen by a selection committee of media and league personnel in 1994. Years served were in the NFL, unless otherwise stated.-Offense:Source:-Defense:Source:-Special teams:Source:...
and NFL Hall of Fame - Napoleon HarrisNapoleon HarrisNapoleon Bill Harris is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Northwestern and was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Raiders in the 2002 NFL Draft....
, current Florida Tuskers linebacker - Noah HerronNoah HerronNoah Scott Herron is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, current Hartford Colonials running back - Chris HintonChris HintonChristopher Hinton is a former American football tackle and guard who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the Indianapolis Colts. He was traded from the Denver Broncos for John Elway. He went to seven Pro Bowls, six with the Colts and one with the Atlanta Falcons...
, 7-time NFL All-Pro offensive tackle - Tom HomcoTom HomcoTom Homco is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for four seasons for the Los Angeles Rams/St. Louis Rams....
, Linebacker - Luke JohnsosLuke JohnsosLuke Andrew Johnsos, Sr. was an American football player, assistant coach, and head coach for the National Football League's Chicago Bears franchise. He started with the Bears in 1929 at the age of 23 as an All-Pro end. He played eight NFL seasons in Chicago finishing his playing career in 1936...
, (Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) - Mike KerriganMike KerriganMichael Joseph Kerrigan is a former professional quarterback.An undrafted free agent, Kerrigan spent his first three professional seasons as a third-string quarterback behind Tony Eason and Steve Grogan...
, Former NFL and CFL Quarterback - John Kidd, Punter
- Elbert KimbroughElbert KimbroughElbert Leon Kimbrough is a former professional American football player who played Safety for seven seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New Orleans Saints....
- Austin KingAustin KingAustin Patrick King is an American football center who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was most recently with the Seattle Seahawks....
, Center - Jim LashJim LashJames Verle "Jim" Lash is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League in the 1970s and played on three Super Bowl teams. He attended Garfield High School in Akron, Ohio, the same high school that fellow NFL wide receiver Steve Craig attended...
, Wide Receiver - Chuck Logan (American football)Chuck Logan (American football)Charles Russell "Chuck" Logan is a former professional American football tight end who played professionally in the National Football League. He played four seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the St. Louis Cardinals....
- Edgar ManskeEdgar ManskeEdgar John "Eggs" Manske was a former professional American football player who played six seasons in the National Football League. Manske was the last NFL player to play without a football helmet...
, 1933 All-American - Tim McGarigleTim McGarigle-St. Louis Rams:McGarigle was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round in the 2006 NFL Draft. He spent the 2006 season as a member of the practice squad. In 2007, McGarigle made the active roster and played 12 games. He was released from the Rams on September 3, 2008 and spent the rest...
, (St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
) Linebacker
- Ikechuku Ndukwe, offensive lineman
- Matt O'DwyerMatt O'DwyerMatt O'Dwyer is a former American football player who played in the National Football League from 1995 to 2005. A 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman out of Northwestern University, O'Dwyer played for the New York Jets , the Cincinnati Bengals , and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, Offensive Guard - Ara ParseghianAra ParseghianAra Raoul Parseghian is a former American football player and coach of Armenian descent. He served as the head football coach at Miami University , Northwestern University , and the University of Notre Dame , compiling a career college football record of 170–58–6...
, legendary football coach of numerous programs, most notably Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
; former NFL player - Eric PetermanEric PetermanEric Peterman is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He attended Sacred Heart-Griffin High school in Springfield, Illinois and excelled at the quarterback position...
, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
wide receiver - Ron RectorRon RectorRonald S. Rector was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the Washington Redskins, and the Atlanta Falcons...
, Running back - Steve Reid (American football), Guard, College Football Hall-of-Famer
- Pug RentnerPug RentnerErnest John "Pug" Rentner was an American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Boston Redskins and the Chicago Bears...
, Halfback and Quarterback, 1931 All-American, 1932 Team MVP - Jeff RoehlJeff RoehlJeffrey Alan Roehl is an American football offensive lineman who is most known for his time spent playing for the New York Giants of the National Football League...
, offensive tackle - Jack RudnayJack RudnayJohn Carl "Jack" Rudnay is a former professional American football center in the National Football League...
, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
Pro Bowl center - Pete Shaw (American football), Safety
- Sam Simmons (American football)Sam Simmons (American football)Samuel Leeland Simmons is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, Wide Receiver (Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) - Mike Stock (football coach)
- Don StonesiferDon StonesiferDonald Humphrey Stonesifer is a former American football wide receiver who played six seasons in the National Football League....
, (Chicago Cardinals) - Steve TaskerSteve TaskerSteven Jay Tasker is a broadcaster for CBS Sports, who previously was a wide receiver/gunner in the National Football League. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He played college football at Northwestern...
, (Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) wide receiver, seven-time NFL Pro Bowler, considered one of the great special teams players in NFL history - Rob Taylor, Offensive tackle
- Rick TelanderRick TelanderRick Telander is the senior sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Hired in 1995 from Sports Illustrated where he was a Senior Writer, Telander's presence at the newspaper was expected to counter the stable of sports columnists the rival Chicago Tribune had.Telander is a native of Peoria,...
, Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-TimesThe Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
Columnist - Dick Thornton, former CFL Quarterback
- Matt UlrichMatt UlrichMatthew James Ulrich is an American football offensive guard free agent in the National Football League.Ulrich was named Northwesten University team captain in 2004 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention....
, football player (Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
) - Mike VartyMike VartyMichael Scott Matthew Varty is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Colts. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1974 NFL Draft....
, Linebacker - Rick VenturiRick Venturi-External links:...
, coachCoach (sport)In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:... - Ray WietechaRay WietechaRaymond Walter Wietecha was an American football center in the National Football League for the New York Giants...
, center, former Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
Offensive Coordinator - Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, Former AFL All-Star
Earning the nickname "Cardiac Cats"
The Wildcats have been nicknamed the "Cardiac 'Cats" after several seasons with highly contested games, with games decided in the final seconds or in overtime. The team first earned the nickname during the 1996 season1996 Northwestern Wildcats football team
The 1996 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A college football season.-Season:...
, and would go on to apply during the 2004 season, when four of the Wildcats' games went into overtime.
| Opponent | Location | Date | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan 1996 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1996 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1996 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. That year Michigan Wolverines football competed in the Big Ten Conference in... |
Evanston, IL | October 6, 1996 |
|
| Wisconsin 1996 Wisconsin Badgers football team The 1996 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule and results:-Season Summary:... |
Madison, WI | October 19, 1996 |
Ron Dayne Ron Dayne is a former American football running back who is currently a free agent. He holds the NCAA record for career rushing yards, and he won the 1999 Heisman Trophy.-Early life:... who fumbles. D'Wayne Bates D'Wayne L. Bates is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. Bates played three seasons with the Chicago Bears and two with the Minnesota Vikings... with 37 seconds remaining for the win. |
| Michigan State 1997 Michigan State Spartans football team The 1997 Michigan State Spartans football team competed on behalf of Michigan State University in the Big Ten Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Head coach Nick Saban was in his third season with the Spartans. Michigan State played their home games at Spartan Stadium in... |
Evanston, IL | October 18, 1997 |
|
| Duke | Durham, NC | September 18, 1999 |
Sam Simmons (American football) Samuel Leeland Simmons is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... 27 yard TD pass in OT. |
| Iowa 1999 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The 1999 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1999 college football season. It was the first season for new head coach Kirk Ferentz, who replaced former Iowa coach Hayden Fry who retired at the end of the 1998 season.... |
Evanston, IL | October 16, 1999 |
Zak Kustok Zak Adam Kustok is an American businessman who was starting quarterback for the Northwestern Wildcats from 1999 to 2001. He originally matriculated at Notre Dame, but suffered from a change in the offensive game plan when Bob Davie replaced Lou Holtz, who had recruited him... ran a sweep to the right for the score to win the game. |
| Wisconsin 2000 Wisconsin Badgers football team The 2000 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Regular starters:-Team players in the 2001 NFL Draft:-Awards and records:... |
Madison, WI | September 23, 2000 |
Damien Anderson Damien Ramone Anderson is a professional American football and Canadian football running back who retired in 2008. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2002... 's 12 yard TD run was the game winner |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | October 28, 2000 |
Zak Kustok Zak Adam Kustok is an American businessman who was starting quarterback for the Northwestern Wildcats from 1999 to 2001. He originally matriculated at Notre Dame, but suffered from a change in the offensive game plan when Bob Davie replaced Lou Holtz, who had recruited him... unleashed a bomb to the end zone. Kunle Patrick jumped for the ball among 4 gopher defenders and intentionally tipped the ball over to Simmons Sam Simmons (American football) Samuel Leeland Simmons is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... who caught the ball for the game winning TD with no time on the clock. |
| Michigan 2000 Michigan Wolverines football team The 2000 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the college football 2000 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium.-Schedule:... |
Evanston, IL | November 4, 2000 |
|
| Michigan State 2001 Michigan State Spartans football team The 2001 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2001 college football season.The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan... |
Evanston, IL | September 29, 2001 |
|
| Indiana | Evanston, IL | November 2, 2002 |
Brett Basanez Brett Stephen Basanez is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Northwestern.... plays the game with a broken leg. |
| Iowa 2005 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The 2005 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2005 college football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa and were coached by Kirk Ferentz.... |
Evanston, IL | November 5, 2005 |
|
| Indiana 2009 Indiana Hoosiers football team The 2009 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hoosiers were coached by Bill Lynch, who was in his third season season as head coach for the team. The Hoosiers played their home games in Memorial Stadium in... |
Evanston, IL | October 24, 2009 |
|
| Auburn 2009 Auburn Tigers football team The 2009 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by first year head coach Gene Chizik... |
Tampa, FL | January 1, 2010 |
Mike Kafka Michael John "Mike" Kafka is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwestern.Kafka attended St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago,... fumble which was reviewed and ruled as a down instead. This set NU up for a re-tying field goal which hit the upright but was then recalled after a roughing penalty (removing kicker Stefan Demos from the rest of the game). On the third attempt, with their replacement kicker, NU tried a fake FG but was ultimately stopped at the 2 yard line, finally ending the game for real. |