Aidan Smith
Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty (7) celebrates with teammate Jared Thomas (65) after rushing for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. Minnesota won 38-22. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Illinois hopes to tame Wildcats, move up in bowl spot

By Terry Towery Nov. 29, 2019 04:00 AM EST

Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) catches a touchdown pass against Northwestern safety Travis Whillock (7) during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Morgan’s 4 TD passes lead No. 11 Gophers past Wildcats 38-22

By Matt Carlson Nov. 23, 2019 03:37 PM EST

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan, left, drops back to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Despite loss, big prizes still in sight for No. 11 Minnesota

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 22, 2019 12:16 PM EST

Northwestern's Raymond Niro III, right, celebrates his touchdown against Massachusetts during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Jim Young)
Hull scores 4 TDs, Northwestern routs UMass 45-6

By John Jackson Nov. 16, 2019 03:22 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith (11) gets off a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jace James while Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Purdue beats Northwestern 24-22 on Dellinger's late FG

By Robbie Weinstein Nov. 09, 2019 03:39 PM EST

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald waits with the team to take the field before an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 34-3. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Northwestern hopes turnaround starts by beating Purdue

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 08, 2019 12:47 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith (11) is hit by Indiana defensive lineman Michael Ziemba (87) while rushing the ball for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Great Scott leads Indiana past Northwestern for 4th straight

By Michael Marot Nov. 02, 2019 10:40 PM EDT

Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston (57) intercepts a pass as Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater (70) tackles him during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)
No. 20 Iowa blanks Northwestern 20-0 in season's 2nd shutout

By John Jackson Oct. 26, 2019 03:12 PM EDT

Iowa running back Mekhi Sargent (10) runs off the field after an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
With Big Ten reprieve, No. 20 Iowa takes on Northwestern

By Andrew Seligman Oct. 25, 2019 02:00 AM EDT

Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
With new life, No. 20 Iowa looks to beat Northwestern

By The Associated Press Oct. 24, 2019 04:07 PM EDT

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith, right, hands off to running back Isaiah Bowser during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Fields leads No. 4 Ohio State past Northwestern 52-3

By Andrew Seligman Oct. 19, 2019 12:00 AM EDT

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, left, enjoys a moment with Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald prior to an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Neb. (Francis Gardler/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
No. 4 Ohio State looks to stay on roll at Northwestern

By Andrew Seligman Oct. 17, 2019 05:00 PM EDT

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith (11) hands off the ball to running back Drake Anderson (6) during an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Neb. (Emily Haney/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
No. 4 Ohio State looks to stay unbeaten against Northwestern

By The Associated Press Oct. 17, 2019 02:38 PM EDT

Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, left, and safety Marquel Dismuke (19) jump in the air in celebration of Robinson's touchdown run during an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Neb. (Emily Haney/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
College 1975 FC vs Lincoln Red Imps FC 9/19/2019

Oct. 05, 2019 07:51 PM EDT

Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) pulls in a pass from Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral in front of Northwestern Roderick Campbell (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Neb. (Francis Gardler/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
McCallum's FG at end gives Huskers 13-10 win over Wildcats

By Eric Olson Oct. 05, 2019 07:47 PM EDT

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) throws an interception while being pursued by Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
No. 14 Iowa’s visit to No. 19 Michigan tops Big Ten schedule

By Eric Olson Oct. 03, 2019 01:53 PM EDT

Northwestern defensive back Coco Azema (27) tackles Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Taylor, defense lead No. 8 Badgers past Northwestern 24-15

By Keith Jenkins Sep. 28, 2019 04:07 PM EDT

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald gestures to the officials during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Pat Fitzgerald: Badgers' Taylor would get my Heisman vote

By Keith Jenkins Sep. 27, 2019 03:00 AM 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

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, 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. Northwestern must replace four-year starter Clayton Thorson, and Clemson backup Johnson is expected to have the inside track. Coach Pat Fitzgerald also is giving fifth-year senior TJ Green a look. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
Wake Forest at Clemson 10/7/2017

Apr. 19, 2019 11:02 AM EDT