Pat Fitzgerald
FILE - Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) scores a touchdown past Ohio cornerback John Gregory during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Northwestern is set to kick off its season on Aug. 27, 2022, against Nebraska. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Northwestern looks to keep cycle going with another big jump

By Andrew Seligman Aug. 15, 2022 01:38 PM EDT

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Big Ten coaches relying heavily on revamped defenses

By Michael Marot Jul. 26, 2022 05:25 PM EDT

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Bold, aggressive Big Ten leaves door open for more expansion

By Ralph D. Russo Jul. 26, 2022 12:31 PM EDT

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) carries the ball past a block from offensive lineman Peter Skoronski during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois rolls over Northwestern, keeps bowl hopes alive

By Terry Towery Nov. 27, 2021 06:59 PM EST

Northwestern running back Andrew Clair (11) runs ahead of Purdue's Branson Deen (58) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Purdue won 32-14.(AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Illinois looks to keep bowl hopes alive against Northwestern

By Terry Towery Nov. 26, 2021 03:18 PM EST

Purdue wide receiver Milton Wright (0) catches a touchdown pass against Northwestern's AJ Hampton Jr. (11) during the first half of a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Purdue rolls in second half to top Northwestern at Wrigley

By Scott Held Nov. 20, 2021 03:21 PM EST

Purdue wide receiver Milton Wright (0) celebrates with teammates Tyler Witt (78), David Bell (3) and Garrett Miller (88) after scoring on a touchdown pass during the first half of a NCAA football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Purdue at Northwestern 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 02:19 PM EST

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm shouts to a player during the first half of their NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Northwestern, Purdue collide with Wrigley adding intrigue

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 AM EST

Northwestern's Stephon Robinson Jr. catches a pass in front of Wisconsin's Caesar Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Allen's big day helps No. 20 Wisconsin rip Northwestern 35-7

By Steve Megargee Nov. 13, 2021 03:20 PM EST

Wisconsin's Braelon Allen breasks into the end zone for a topuchdwon run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Northwestern at Wisconsin 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 01:17 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

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson, right, is tackled by Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still after making a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. Penn State won 31-14. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Catching on: Big Ten receivers putting up some big numbers

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 09, 2021 02:58 PM EST

Iowa defensive back Dane Belton, left, is tackled by Northwestern wide receiver Stephon Robinson Jr., after he intercepted a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
No. 19 Iowa changes quarterbacks, beats Northwestern 17-12

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 06, 2021 11:02 PM EDT

Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty looks to throw a pass against Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Iowa at Northwestern 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 08:31 PM EDT

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald shouts to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
No. 19 Iowa looks to stop slide when it meets Northwestern

By The Associated Press Nov. 04, 2021 05:10 PM EDT

Minnesota running back Mar'Keise Irving, left, runs with the ball against Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
No. 19 Iowa looks to stop skid when it visits Northwestern

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 04, 2021 12:38 PM EDT

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

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota at Northwestern 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 05:09 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

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)
Northwestern at Michigan 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 01:41 PM EDT