Hunter Johnson
FILE - Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei listens to a question at the NCAA college football Atlantic Coast Conference Media Days in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Clemson had won six straight ACC titles heading into last season, but started 4-3 and fell out of contention for a seventh. The team rebounded, though, to win their last six games — the longest current win streak among Power Five teams — and look to a slimmer, more confident quarterback Uiagalelei to start a new championship run. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
No. 4 Clemson counting on 'Avengers' D-line for a title run

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 17, 2022 12:18 PM EDT

FILE - Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson throws against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Onetime Clemson quarterback Johnson is returning to the Tigers for his final season of college football, in 2022. It's Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's first foray into the NCAA transfer portal. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Onetime Clemson QB Johnson transferring back to Tigers

Jan. 17, 2022 05:20 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) and head coach Paul Chryst talk during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin upset Iowa 27-7. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Long memories motivate No. 20 Badgers against Northwestern

By Steve Megargee Nov. 11, 2021 12:42 PM EST

Minnesota running back Mar'Keise Irving, right, celebrates with wide receiver Daniel Jackson after scoring a touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Irving runs for 110 yards in Minnesota 41-14 win

By Patrick Rose Oct. 30, 2021 07:15 PM EDT

Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins (25) is tackled by Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Bryce Gallagher (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Run-heavy Gophers take win streak to Northwestern

Oct. 28, 2021 01:28 PM EDT

Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer (13) throws as Purdue offensive lineman Greg Long (69) blocks Illinois outside linebacker Seth Coleman (49) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Shoddy quarterback play has Big Ten scrambling for answers

By Michael Marot Sep. 28, 2021 02:08 PM EDT

Northwestern running back Connor Newhouse, left, is tackled by Ohio linebacker Ben Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Northwestern won 35-6. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Hull with 90-yard TD in Northwestern's 35-6 romp over Ohio

By Scott Held Sep. 25, 2021 03:53 PM EDT

Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty (7) evades Duke safety Lummie Young IV (23) on a run during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
With QB in question, Northwestern host struggling Ohio

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 23, 2021 01:36 PM EDT

Duke starts fast, holds off Northwestern in 2nd half, 30-23

By Mitchell Northam Sep. 18, 2021 08:11 PM EDT
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke scored three touchdowns in the first quarter and did all its scoring in the first half, then held off a Northwestern comeback to earn...

Duke quarterback Gunnar Holmberg (12) runs for a touchdown against North Carolina A&T linebacker Jacob Roberts (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Holmberg aims to keep Duke moving against Northwestern

By Aaron Beard Sep. 16, 2021 10:45 AM EDT

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald applauds after a touchdown was scored against Indiana State in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill, Saturday, Sept.11, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Marton
Hull rushed for 126, Northwestern beats Indiana State 24-6

By Michal Dwojak Sep. 11, 2021 03:20 PM EDT

Northwestern running back Evan Hull scores a touchdown against Indiana State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Indiana State at Northwestern 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 01:37 PM EDT

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald watches during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Michigan State won 38-21. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Northwestern looking to bounce back against Indiana State

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 09, 2021 12:41 PM EDT

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs for a touchdown past Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Walker runs for 264 yards as Spartans beat Wildcats 38-21

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 04, 2021 01:03 AM EDT

Michigan State defensive tackle Simeon Barrow (8) and defensive tackle Kyle King (54) tackle Northwestern running back Andrew Clair during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Michigan State won 38-21. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Western Michigan at Michigan 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 12:51 AM EDT

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs for a touchdown past Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Michigan State at Northwestern 9/3/2021

Sep. 03, 2021 10:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) runs the against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern hopes to get some payback against Michigan State. The Wildcats will have their opportunity Friday night when they open at home against the Spartans in what they hope kicks off a run toward their third Big Ten West championship in four years. (AP Photo/David Banks, File)
Northwestern seeks payback against Michigan State in opener

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 02, 2021 04:08 PM EDT

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Northwestern looks to avoid another drop after finishing 1st

By Andrew Seligman Aug. 16, 2021 10:51 AM EDT

FILE - Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) is chased down by Purdue defensive tackle Anthony Watts (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, file photo. The NCAA made it official Thursday, April 15, 2021, announcing the Division I Council had voted to approve a proposal that would permit all college athletes to transfer one time as an undergraduate without having to sit out a season. Among the notable transferring football players who will now be eligible next season at their new schools are Wan'Dale Robinson, who switched from Nebraska to Kentucky. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Potential high-impact transfers in college football 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 15, 2021 04:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, file photo, Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, in Bloomington, Ind. A big reason for Northwestern's struggles on offense last season was the play of the quarterbacks. Northwestern got help in March when Peyton Ramsey announced he was transferring from Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Northwestern seeks quick jump after first-to-worst tumble

By Andrew Seligman Oct. 14, 2020 10:13 AM EDT