Joe Gaziano
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

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

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 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

Indiana wide receiver Whop Philyor (1) is tackled by Nebraska linebacker Mohamed Barry (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. Indiana won 38-31. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
With Northwestern up next, Hoosiers keep focus on winning

By Michael Marot Nov. 01, 2019 02:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2013, file photo, Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) catches the game-winning touchdown over Northwestern center back Dwight White (2) , safety Jimmy Hall (9) and linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo (44) with seconds to go in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska won 27-24. Nebraska and Northwestern have split eight games since the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten in 2011. A combined 21 points separate the teams in those eight games. Northwestern has won the last two meetings in overtime. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Fantastic finishes make Wildcats, Huskers improbable rivals

By Eric Olson Sep. 30, 2019 05:19 PM EDT

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

Northwestern running back Drake Anderson, left, celebrates with Northwestern wide receiver Bennett Skowronek (88) after Anderson scored a touchdown against UNLV during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Johnson leads Northwestern to first win, 30-14 over UNLV

Sep. 14, 2019 08:43 PM EDT

Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) throws a pass against Stanford in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Northwestern's Johnson looks to rebound against UNLV

By John Jackson Sep. 13, 2019 11:58 AM 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 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

Northwestern offensive lineman Trey Klock (39) dives past Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) for a touchdown during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern defense stuns No. 20 Utah 31-20 in Holiday Bowl

By Bernie Wilson Dec. 31, 2018 10:56 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, left, watches his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill. The program’s winningest coach by a wide margin, Fitzgerald has No. 21 Northwestern playing in the Big Ten championship game for the first time. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Fitzgerald, Northwestern eye Big Ten title upset, Rose Bowl

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 29, 2018 06:23 PM EST

Minnesota's Blake Cashman looks on during an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Northwestern stays in stride with 24-14 win at Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Nov. 17, 2018 03:42 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, file photo, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, in Piscataway, N.J. Northwestern takes on Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct. 27. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Wisconsin looks to take Big Ten West lead from Northwestern

By Andrew Seligman Oct. 26, 2018 10:52 AM EDT

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Bowser's second TD run rallies Northwestern past Rutgers

By Tom Canavan Oct. 20, 2018 03:52 PM EDT

Duke's Daniel Jones makes a pass against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Jim Young)
Jones throws for 3 TDs, Duke beats Northwestern 21-7

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 08, 2018 10:24 AM EDT