Paddy Fisher
FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Iowa place kicker Keith Duncan (3) celebrates with teammate Colten Rastetter after kicking a 45-yard field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Iowa City, Iowa. Duncan was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Ohio State leads the pack in AP All-Big Ten top honors

By Eric Olson Dec. 11, 2019 12:06 PM EST

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, right, yells to quarterback Aidan Smith (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. Purdue won 24-22. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Northwestern hosts UMass, eager to end 7-game slide

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 15, 2019 03:00 AM EST

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor runs against Michigan linebacker Khaleke Hudson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 8 Wisconsin looks to stay unbeaten against Northwestern

By The Associated Press Sep. 26, 2019 02:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald directs his team from the sidelines during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Indianapolis. It seems no one is talking about Northwestern even though it won the Big Ten West last year. The chatter surely will start if the Wildcats beat the Cardinal on the road Saturday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
No. 25 Stanford hosts Northwestern in season opener

By The Associated Press Aug. 29, 2019 05:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, right, sacks Tulane quarterback Jonathan Banks during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Columbus, Ohio. Chase Young is known to lead with his mouth. Being the loudest Buckeye on the field is part of the reason his teammates elected him a captain this season. The other part is that he can back it up the chattering. Young is Ohio State’s best player, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound man with startling quickness and a mean streak who rarely stops cheering, cajoling and trash-talking. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Ohio State's Young leads with his mouth, then backs it up

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 27, 2019 02:47 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, then-Clemson quarterback Hunter Johnson celebrates after throwing a touchdown against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C. As he listened to his team’s introduction during last month’s Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald was a bit stunned by what he heard. “Clayton Thorson leaves as the winningest quarterback in Northwestern history,” the Big Ten Network’s Rick Pizzo said, reading from a script. “But he’ll be replaced by five-star Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson.” That was news to Fitzgerald, who said the competition for starting quarterback at the beginning of fall camp was wide open with Hunter, senior TJ Green and junior Aidan Smith being the main contenders. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
Northwestern searches for new QB after division title

By John Jackson Aug. 13, 2019 03:00 PM EDT

Indiana head coach Tom Allen responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Big Ten Notebook: Spartans, Buckeyes tops on preseason team

Jul. 18, 2019 05:18 PM EDT

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day smiles as he talks to reporters during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Latest: Ohio St DE emulates Hayes: 'The team up north'

Jul. 18, 2019 01:12 PM EDT

Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa throws during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Top 25 Heat Check: Wrapping up 2018 with eye toward 2019

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2019 12:30 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Alabama defensive back Deionte Thompson (14) celebrates after Mississippi State place kicker Jace Christmann (47) missed a field goal-attempt during the first half of a game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Thompson was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
AP All-America team: Tide leads with 4 of 10 CFP players

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 10, 2018 12:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) looks to throw during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Indianapolis. Haskins was named offensive player of the year when The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team was released Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Haskins, Bush receive top honors on AP All-Big Ten team

By Eric Olson Dec. 05, 2018 12:18 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2018, file photo, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald watches his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois in Evanston, Ill. No. 21 Northwestern set to face No. 6 Ohio State in the Wildcats’ first Big Ten championship game appearance on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in what could be a signature moment for a consistent winner trying to earn its spot among the conference’s elite. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Big Ten: Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald voted coach of year

Nov. 27, 2018 05:54 PM EST

Illinois kicker Chase McLaughlin (43) is congratulated by teammates after kicking a field goal against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Thorson helps No. 20 Northwestern beats Illinois 24-16

By John Jackson Nov. 24, 2018 06:53 PM EST

Northwestern looks to maintain edge over rival Illinois

By John Jackson Nov. 23, 2018 12:39 PM EST
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — No. 20 Northwestern wants to keep the Land of Lincoln Trophy, so it's taking nothing for granted heading into its annual showdown with Illinois...

Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) reacts as he celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Thorson leads Northwestern over No. 20 Wisconsin 31-17

By Andrew Seligman Oct. 27, 2018 03:41 PM EDT