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Northwestern University Wildcats The Northwestern football team was founded in 1876. Despite the longevity of its existence, the program has only one bowl game victory, the 1949 Rose Bowl against Cal. The team enjoyed success during the mid-1990’s under Gary Barnett. Northwestern won the Big- Ten Conference championship in 1995 and 1996. The Wildcats made consecutive bowl appearances for the first time, including a Rose Bowl appearance in 1995. The Wildcats have an overall loosing record of 449-596-44. Northwestern does have eight conference titles since their inception into the Big- Ten though. The team makes its home at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. The University of Illinois is the hated in-state rival. The teams compete for the "Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy", which Northwestern has won four straight years. The mascot at Northwestern is Willie the Wildcat who gets the always-hyped crowd at Ryan Field going with the Northwestern fight song, Go U Northwestern. Northwestern Wildcats 2007 Outlook The Northwestern Wildcats will be a lot better this season. After the tragic death of head coach Randy Walker prior to the 2006 season, the team struggled to a 4-8 season. Last year, C.J. Bacher established himself as the starting quarterback and had a solid year. Junior running back Tyrell Sutton returns and is the best player on the team, look for him to carry the Wildcats in 2007. In total, 16 starters return for the upcoming season. The defense should improve behind big game defensive end Corey Wootton. Wootton is one of the best pass rushing ends in the league and can hold his own in run stopping situations as well. A laughable non-conference schedule that includes powerhouses Northeastern, Duke and Eastern Michigan will “earn” a few wins. A bowl game is a possibility but no guarantee this year in Evansville. 2007 Northwestern Schedule Date OPPONENT TIME (ET) Location Result
Sat, Sep 1st, 2007 Northeastern 12:00 PM Ryan Field
Sat, Sep 8th, 2007 Nevada 12:00 PM Ryan Field
Sat, Sep 15th, 2007 Duke 08:00 PM Ryan Field
Sat, Sep 22nd, 2007 at Ohio_State TBA Ohio Stadium
Sat, Sep 29th, 2007 Michigan TBA Ryan Field
Sat, Oct 6th, 2007 at Michigan_State 03:30 PM Spartan Stadium
Sat, Oct 13th, 2007 Minnesota 12:00 PM Ryan Field
Fri, Oct 19th, 2007 at Eastern_Mich 07:00 PM Ford Field - Detroit, MI
Sat, Oct 27th, 2007 at Purdue 12:00 PM Ross-Ade Stadium
Sat, Nov 3rd, 2007 Iowa TBA Ryan Field
Sat, Nov 10th, 2007 Indiana TBA Ryan Field
Sat, Nov 17th, 2007 at Illinois TBA Memorial Stadium
Northwestern Wildcats Head Coach Profile Pat Fitzgerald became the youngest head coach in the country in 2006 after taking over for the late Randy Walker. Fitzgerald was a standout linebacker during his playing career at Northwestern, winning the Chuck Bednarik Award twice in 1995 and 1996. Fitzgerald led the Wildcats to a 4-8 record last season. The Northwestern program is in good hands with Fitzgerald the alum, and should see steady improvement under his watch. Fitzgerald brings NFL playing experience and a love of all things Northwestern to a program that has been running on empty for some time. Look for a solid recruiting class in 2008 and a possible bowl game in 2007. Northwestern Wildcats- Players to Watch/Key Departures Running back Tyrell Sutton rushed for a 1,000 yards last season as a sophomore and should smash that this year. Heading into the season, Sutton is expected to carry the load for the Wildcats. Quarterback C.J. Bacher enters his first season as the full-time starter and should increase his production in 2007 with Sutton's improvement. Junior wide receiver Ross Lane will be the primary receiving target for Bacher. On defense, sophomore DE Corey Wootton is expected to have a monster season, establishing himself as one of the fiercest pass rushers in the nation. Look for him to lead an improved defensive line for the Wildcats in 2007. |
Northwestern
