Link: Full Game Notes
Nebraska (0-1) at Northwestern (2-0)
When: Saturday, November 7 | 11:00 AM (CT)
Where: Ryan Field | Evanston, Illinois
TV: Big Ten Network (Cory Provus, J Leman, Olivia Dekker)
Radio: Husker Sports Network (Greg Sharpe, Matt Davison, Ben McLaughlin)
Satellite Radio: Sirius (Ch. 138) | XM (Ch. 382)
Internet Radio: Huskers.com | TuneIn.com
App Audio: Official Huskers App | TuneIn App
HUSKERS
Record: (0-1)
Last Game: at Ohio State (L 17-52)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Scott Frost (28-23, 5th year) | (9-16, 3rd year at NU)
vs. Northwestern: (1-1)
WILDCATS
Record: (2-0)
Last Game: at Cockeye (W 21-20)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (101-79, 15th year overall and at NW)
vs. Nebraska: (4-5)
This Week's Numbers
3 - Each of the last three meetings between Nebraska and Northwestern have been decided in overtime or on the final play. Northwestern won overtime matchups in 2017 and 2018 after the Huskers held fourth-quarter leads. Last year in Lincoln, Nebraska won 13-10 on a game-winning field goal as time expired.
25 - With the cancellation of last week's game against Wisconsin, Nebraska will be opening the season with two road games for the first time in 25 years. In 1995, Nebraska opened the season with road games at Oklahoma State and Michigan State.
167 - Nebraska sophomore receiver Wan'Dale Robinson had one of the most productive games of his career against Northwestern last season. Robinson rushed for 44 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown, and had seven receptions for 123 yards, accounting for 167 yards from scrimmage.
The Matchup
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will get back on the field this Saturday when they travel to Evanston, Illinois to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten West contest. Game time at Northwestern's Ryan Field is set for 11 a.m. CT with the game televised on the Big Ten Network.
Nebraska is coming off an unexpected off week following the cancellation of last week's matchup with Wisconsin last Wednesday. The Huskers opened the season with a 52-17 loss at No. 5 Ohio State on Oct. 24, a game in which Nebraska was tied at 14-14 in the second quarter.
Northwestern enters the game with a 2-0 record following a 21-20 victory at Cockeye last Saturday. The Wildcats fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter, but rallied to close the deficit to 20-14 at halftime, and scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter for the only points of the second half.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald's team has played stout defense through two games, allowing just 23 total points and 250.0 yards per game in wins over Cockeye and Maryland. The Wildcats have been particularly strong against the run, allowing just 70.5 yards rushing per game. Northwestern has also forced seven turnovers in two games. Offensively, Northwestern has run the ball effectively, averaging 234.0 yards per game.
Series History
Nebraska and Northwestern have a history of closely contested games in the series. Nebraska leads the all-time series 8-5, including a 5-4 edge since the Huskers joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011, including a 3-1 record at Ryan Field.
- Nebraska has won three of the five all-time meetings in Evanston. Of the nine conference meetings between the Huskers and Wildcats, the only two games decided by more than seven points were a 38-17 Husker victory in Evanston in 2014 and a 24-13 Nebraska win at Ryan Field in 2016.
- The series with Northwestern has featured several record-setting performances for Nebraska. In a 66-17 win at the 2000 Alamo Bowl, the Huskers set a school record for most points in a bowl game, while Dan Alexander's 240 yards rushing were a Nebraska bowl record. In 2012, Nebraska rallied from a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to win 29-28, tying for the largest fourth quarter comeback in program history. The next season, Nebraska won on the first game-winning Hail Mary pass in school history.
- Nebraska has had only three walk-off wins in the history of Memorial Stadium, and two have come against Northwestern (Hail Mary in 2013, and game winning field goal in 2019).
- Scott Frost is 1-1 in his career against Northwestern and Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
1902 - Nebraska 12, Northwestern 0 (Lincoln)
1931 - Northwestern 19, Nebraska 7 (Evanston)
1974 - #10 Nebraska 49, Northwestern 7 (Lincoln)
2000 - #9 Nebraska 66, #18 Northwestern 17 (Alamo Bowl)
2011 - Northwestern 28, #9 Nebraska 25 (Lincoln)
2012 - Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28 (Evanston)
2013 - Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24 (Lincoln)
2014 - #19 Nebraska 38, Northwestern 17 (Evanston)
2015 - Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Lincoln)
2016 - #20 Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13 (Evanston)
2017 - Northwestern 31, Nebraska 24 (OT) (Lincoln)
2018 - Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31 (OT) (Evanston)
2019 - Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10 (Lincoln)
Close Contests Highlight Husker-Wildcat Series
Since Nebraska and Northwestern became conference foes in 2011, the one constant has been close games between the two schools. In nine meetings between the two programs as Big Ten Conference foes, Nebraska has outscored Northwestern 239-215, with an average score of 27-24.
- Seven of the nine meetings between the teams as conference foes have been decided by a touchdown or less, including six by three or fewer points. Three of Nebraska's five Big Ten victories over Northwestern have come by three points or less. All four of the Wildcats' wins have come by a touchdown or less, including three wins decided by three or fewer points and two overtime wins.
- The matchups have been especially close the past three seasons, when each game was either decided on the final play of regulation or overtime. The combined score of the past five meetings is 120-118 in favor of Nebraska, although Northwestern has won three of those five contests.
Brief Recaps of Nebraska-Northwestern Close Games
Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10 (Oct. 5, 2019)
Although Northwestern never led, the Wildcats tied the game at 10-10 with 11:20 to play in the third quarter. Neither team would score again until the final snap of the game. Northwestern drove into Husker territory with just over a minute remaining, but Lamar Jackson intercepted an Aidan Smith pass, and Nebraska drove 42 yards on six plays covering one minute to set up Lane McCallum's game-winning, walk-off 24-yard field goal.
Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31 (OT) (Oct. 13, 2018)
Nebraska nearly handed Northwestern its only Big Ten West loss of the 2018 season, but the Huskers were unable to hold a 10-point lead with less than three minutes remaining. Trailing 31-21, Northwestern got a field goal to pull within seven with 2:27 remaining in regulation. After Nebraska went 3-and-out and took just 24 seconds off the clock, the Wildcats drove 99 yards in eight plays to score the game-tying touchdown with 12 seconds remaining. Nebraska then threw an interception on its overtime possession, and Northwestern won the game on a walk-off 37-yard field goal from Drew Luckenbaugh.
Northwestern 31, Nebraska 24 (OT) (Nov. 4, 2017)
Northwestern ended the 2017 season with an eight-game winning streak which included an NCAA-record three consecutive overtime wins, the final of which came against Nebraska. The Huskers used a 10-0 third quarter to build a 24-17 lead, but Clayton Thorson tied the game on a seven-yard touchdown with 5:32 remaining in regulation and gave the Wildcats the lead with a one-yard touchdown run on the first overtime series. Northwestern secured the win when Kyle Queiro broke up a fourth-down pass on Nebraska's overtime possession.
Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Oct. 24, 2015)
In a back-and-forth game that featured five lead changes, Northwestern held on during an eventful fourth quarter. The Wildcats led 20-19 entering the final period, but Nebraska took a 22-20 lead just five seconds into the quarter. Northwestern answered with 10 straight points to build a 30-22 lead before Tommy Armstrong Jr. capped a 75-yard touchdown drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Trailing 30-28, Nebraska failed to convert its two-point conversion, and Northwestern picked up three first downs on its ensuing possession to run out the game's final 4:18.
Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24 (Nov. 2, 2013)
Nebraska and Northwestern were tied at 21 for more than 20 minutes of game time until a dramatic final two minutes. Nebraska took over on its own 18-yard line with 2:25 to play and threw an interception four plays later. Northwestern gained just three yards on its ensuing possession, but that was enough to kick a go-ahead 21-yard field goal. Nebraska began its game-winning drive on its own 17 with 1:14 remaining. Ameer Abdullah broke a tackle to pick up a first down on a 4th-and-15 play and the game's final snap came with four seconds remaining. With the ball at the Northwestern 49-yard line, Ron Kellogg III dropped back and launched a deep pass that was tipped and caught by Jordan Westerkamp right at the goal line for the first game-winning Hail Mary pass in Nebraska history.
Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28 (Oct. 20, 2012)
Nebraska scored a pair of touchdowns in the final six minutes to tie the largest fourth-quarter comeback in school history. The Huskers trailed 28-16 with 8:31 to play before a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Nebraska then forced a 3-and-out defensively and got the ball back at its own 24-yard line, trailing 28-23 with 4:10 to play. The Huskers found the end zone in only six plays, taking a 29-28 lead following a failed two-point conversion. Northwestern then drove into Nebraska territory and missed a 53-yard field goal with 1:10 remaining, essentially ending the game.
Northwestern 28, Nebraska 25 (Nov. 5, 2011)
In the first game between the programs as Big Ten foes, Northwestern never trailed in an upset of the ninth-ranked Huskers. The Wildcats led 7-3 at the half and the teams traded third-quarter touchdowns before an explosive fourth quarter. Northwestern took a 21-10 lead on an 81-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes into the final quarter, but the Huskers answered that score three-and-a-half minutes later. Northwestern responded with a 13-play, 66-yard touchdown drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock. Trailing 28-18 with 1:18 remaining, Nebraska scored a touchdown with 18 seconds left, but the Huskers could not recover the ensuing onside kick.
About Northwestern
Northwestern is one of the oldest programs in college football history, as the Wildcats played their inaugural season in 1882, eight years before Nebraska's first season. Northwestern has won eight Big Ten titles and played in 15 bowl games. Five of the Wildcats eight conference titles came between 1903 and 1936 before Northwestern's successful run in the late 1990s that included Big Ten championships in 1995, 1996 and 2000.
Northwestern's recent success has continued under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was a member of the Wildcats' 1995 and 1996 Big Ten champion teams. Fitzgerald earned his 100th career victory at Northwestern against Maryland two weeks ago. Fitzgerald has taken Northwestern to nine of its 15 all-time bowl games, and the Wildcats were bowl champions in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
First Year: 1882
All-Time Record: 549-675-44
Bowl Record: 5-10
Conference Titles: 8
National Titles: 0
Stadium: Ryan Field
Capacity: 47,310
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Enrollment: 8,367
About Pat Fitzgerald
Pat Fitzgerald is in his 15th season overall as an FBS head coach and his 15th season at Northwestern, where he has a record of 101-79 and a Big Ten record of 59-59. Already the second-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten at the age of 45, Fitzgerald has spent his tenure building upon the tradition he helped establish as a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Wildcats in the mid-1990s. Fitzgerald has built the Wildcats into a consistent winner. The 2018 Wildcat team claimed the program's first-ever West Division title and earned a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game with a program-tying eight Big Ten wins. Fitzgerald was named the consensus Big Ten Head Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the 2018 Dodd Trophy. He has led the Wildcats to nine bowl appearances in his 14 seasons and has guided Northwestern to four of the five bowl wins in program history.
Scouting 2020 Northwestern
Northwestern enters Saturday's matchup with a 2-0 record and is one of three undefeated teams in the Big Ten West.
Through its first two games, Northwestern's defense has given up an average of 11.5 points per game, which ranks second in the conference behind Wisconsin and fifth nationally.
Most recently, the Wildcats erased a 17-point first quarter deficit in a 21-20 win over Cockeye last weekend thanks to an incredible second-half effort. The Wildcat defense was dominant, holding the Cockeyes scoreless in the second half and allowing just 293 yards of total offense while forcing three takeaways. The 'Cats defense was impenetrable in the fourth quarter, allowing just 95 yards on four Cockeye drives to preserve Northwestern's one-point win.
Graduate transfer Peyton Ramsey leads the offensive efforts for the Wildcats. The quarterback is 34-for-48 in the air and has thrown for 342 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, Isaiah Bowser leads Northwestern with 155 rushing yards. Bowser also has one touchdown on the season.
Last Meeting: October 5, 2019
Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10
LINCOLN - Backup quarterback takes over for the injured starter in the fourth quarter of a tie game.
He leads his team into position for the winning field goal, which just happens to be kicked by a walk-on who started the season expecting to play another position.
After his low kick splits the uprights, he's mobbed by teammates and carried off the field.
Yep, it was just another Northwestern-Nebraska game Saturday, this one a 13-10 win for the Cornhuskers that ended on Lane McCallum's 24-yard field goal as time ran out.
The Cornhuskers prevailed in a slog after Lamar Jackson intercepted Aidan Smith's pass to set up the final drive.
Noah Vedral, who took over at quarterback after Adrian Martinez was hurt on the final play of the third quarter, connected with Wan'Dale Robinson along the sideline for 32 yards and then ran twice to get to the 7-yard line with three seconds left.
Northwestern called three timeouts before McCallum, who had hit from 35 yards and missed from 29, converted from the left hash mark.
The Huskers won with Martinez and leading receiver JD Spielman on the sideline. Martinez limped to the sideline at the end of a short run, and Spielman went out earlier in the third with an apparent knee injury.
The two teams combined for 19 punts in a game where yards were hard to come by. Nebraska outgained Northwestern in total offense 319 yards (186 pass, 133 rush) to 293 yards (136 pass, 157 rush). Nebraska did not commit a turnover, while Northwestern had one. The Huskers were flagged eight times for 74 yards while the Wildcats were tagged 6 times for 50 yards. Northwestern won the time of possession battle 31:21 to 28:39.
Adrian Martinez was 13-of-20 for 145 yards before leaving the game. Noah Vedral was 2-of-5 for 41 yards in relief. Rushing, Wan'Dale Robinson led the team with seven carries for 44 yards and the team's only touchdown. Noah Vedral added seven carries for 33 yards, Dedrick Mills had 10 carries for 26 yards and Martinez also rushed nine times for 26 yards. Robinson was the leading Husker receiver with seven catches for 123 yards.
For Northwestern, Aidan Smith was 19-of-32 for 136 yards with an INT and also led the team in rushing with 16 carries for 64 yards and a TD on the ground. Drake Anderson added 13 carries for 61 yards. Riley Lees caught seven passes for 48 yards to lead Wildcat pass catchers.
Nebraska (0-1) at Northwestern (2-0)
When: Saturday, November 7 | 11:00 AM (CT)
Where: Ryan Field | Evanston, Illinois
TV: Big Ten Network (Cory Provus, J Leman, Olivia Dekker)
Radio: Husker Sports Network (Greg Sharpe, Matt Davison, Ben McLaughlin)
Satellite Radio: Sirius (Ch. 138) | XM (Ch. 382)
Internet Radio: Huskers.com | TuneIn.com
App Audio: Official Huskers App | TuneIn App
HUSKERS
Record: (0-1)
Last Game: at Ohio State (L 17-52)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Scott Frost (28-23, 5th year) | (9-16, 3rd year at NU)
vs. Northwestern: (1-1)
WILDCATS
Record: (2-0)
Last Game: at Cockeye (W 21-20)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (101-79, 15th year overall and at NW)
vs. Nebraska: (4-5)
This Week's Numbers
3 - Each of the last three meetings between Nebraska and Northwestern have been decided in overtime or on the final play. Northwestern won overtime matchups in 2017 and 2018 after the Huskers held fourth-quarter leads. Last year in Lincoln, Nebraska won 13-10 on a game-winning field goal as time expired.
25 - With the cancellation of last week's game against Wisconsin, Nebraska will be opening the season with two road games for the first time in 25 years. In 1995, Nebraska opened the season with road games at Oklahoma State and Michigan State.
167 - Nebraska sophomore receiver Wan'Dale Robinson had one of the most productive games of his career against Northwestern last season. Robinson rushed for 44 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown, and had seven receptions for 123 yards, accounting for 167 yards from scrimmage.
The Matchup
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will get back on the field this Saturday when they travel to Evanston, Illinois to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten West contest. Game time at Northwestern's Ryan Field is set for 11 a.m. CT with the game televised on the Big Ten Network.
Nebraska is coming off an unexpected off week following the cancellation of last week's matchup with Wisconsin last Wednesday. The Huskers opened the season with a 52-17 loss at No. 5 Ohio State on Oct. 24, a game in which Nebraska was tied at 14-14 in the second quarter.
Northwestern enters the game with a 2-0 record following a 21-20 victory at Cockeye last Saturday. The Wildcats fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter, but rallied to close the deficit to 20-14 at halftime, and scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter for the only points of the second half.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald's team has played stout defense through two games, allowing just 23 total points and 250.0 yards per game in wins over Cockeye and Maryland. The Wildcats have been particularly strong against the run, allowing just 70.5 yards rushing per game. Northwestern has also forced seven turnovers in two games. Offensively, Northwestern has run the ball effectively, averaging 234.0 yards per game.
Series History
Nebraska and Northwestern have a history of closely contested games in the series. Nebraska leads the all-time series 8-5, including a 5-4 edge since the Huskers joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011, including a 3-1 record at Ryan Field.
- Nebraska has won three of the five all-time meetings in Evanston. Of the nine conference meetings between the Huskers and Wildcats, the only two games decided by more than seven points were a 38-17 Husker victory in Evanston in 2014 and a 24-13 Nebraska win at Ryan Field in 2016.
- The series with Northwestern has featured several record-setting performances for Nebraska. In a 66-17 win at the 2000 Alamo Bowl, the Huskers set a school record for most points in a bowl game, while Dan Alexander's 240 yards rushing were a Nebraska bowl record. In 2012, Nebraska rallied from a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to win 29-28, tying for the largest fourth quarter comeback in program history. The next season, Nebraska won on the first game-winning Hail Mary pass in school history.
- Nebraska has had only three walk-off wins in the history of Memorial Stadium, and two have come against Northwestern (Hail Mary in 2013, and game winning field goal in 2019).
- Scott Frost is 1-1 in his career against Northwestern and Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
1902 - Nebraska 12, Northwestern 0 (Lincoln)
1931 - Northwestern 19, Nebraska 7 (Evanston)
1974 - #10 Nebraska 49, Northwestern 7 (Lincoln)
2000 - #9 Nebraska 66, #18 Northwestern 17 (Alamo Bowl)
2011 - Northwestern 28, #9 Nebraska 25 (Lincoln)
2012 - Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28 (Evanston)
2013 - Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24 (Lincoln)
2014 - #19 Nebraska 38, Northwestern 17 (Evanston)
2015 - Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Lincoln)
2016 - #20 Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13 (Evanston)
2017 - Northwestern 31, Nebraska 24 (OT) (Lincoln)
2018 - Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31 (OT) (Evanston)
2019 - Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10 (Lincoln)
Close Contests Highlight Husker-Wildcat Series
Since Nebraska and Northwestern became conference foes in 2011, the one constant has been close games between the two schools. In nine meetings between the two programs as Big Ten Conference foes, Nebraska has outscored Northwestern 239-215, with an average score of 27-24.
- Seven of the nine meetings between the teams as conference foes have been decided by a touchdown or less, including six by three or fewer points. Three of Nebraska's five Big Ten victories over Northwestern have come by three points or less. All four of the Wildcats' wins have come by a touchdown or less, including three wins decided by three or fewer points and two overtime wins.
- The matchups have been especially close the past three seasons, when each game was either decided on the final play of regulation or overtime. The combined score of the past five meetings is 120-118 in favor of Nebraska, although Northwestern has won three of those five contests.
Brief Recaps of Nebraska-Northwestern Close Games
Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10 (Oct. 5, 2019)
Although Northwestern never led, the Wildcats tied the game at 10-10 with 11:20 to play in the third quarter. Neither team would score again until the final snap of the game. Northwestern drove into Husker territory with just over a minute remaining, but Lamar Jackson intercepted an Aidan Smith pass, and Nebraska drove 42 yards on six plays covering one minute to set up Lane McCallum's game-winning, walk-off 24-yard field goal.
Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31 (OT) (Oct. 13, 2018)
Nebraska nearly handed Northwestern its only Big Ten West loss of the 2018 season, but the Huskers were unable to hold a 10-point lead with less than three minutes remaining. Trailing 31-21, Northwestern got a field goal to pull within seven with 2:27 remaining in regulation. After Nebraska went 3-and-out and took just 24 seconds off the clock, the Wildcats drove 99 yards in eight plays to score the game-tying touchdown with 12 seconds remaining. Nebraska then threw an interception on its overtime possession, and Northwestern won the game on a walk-off 37-yard field goal from Drew Luckenbaugh.
Northwestern 31, Nebraska 24 (OT) (Nov. 4, 2017)
Northwestern ended the 2017 season with an eight-game winning streak which included an NCAA-record three consecutive overtime wins, the final of which came against Nebraska. The Huskers used a 10-0 third quarter to build a 24-17 lead, but Clayton Thorson tied the game on a seven-yard touchdown with 5:32 remaining in regulation and gave the Wildcats the lead with a one-yard touchdown run on the first overtime series. Northwestern secured the win when Kyle Queiro broke up a fourth-down pass on Nebraska's overtime possession.
Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Oct. 24, 2015)
In a back-and-forth game that featured five lead changes, Northwestern held on during an eventful fourth quarter. The Wildcats led 20-19 entering the final period, but Nebraska took a 22-20 lead just five seconds into the quarter. Northwestern answered with 10 straight points to build a 30-22 lead before Tommy Armstrong Jr. capped a 75-yard touchdown drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Trailing 30-28, Nebraska failed to convert its two-point conversion, and Northwestern picked up three first downs on its ensuing possession to run out the game's final 4:18.
Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24 (Nov. 2, 2013)
Nebraska and Northwestern were tied at 21 for more than 20 minutes of game time until a dramatic final two minutes. Nebraska took over on its own 18-yard line with 2:25 to play and threw an interception four plays later. Northwestern gained just three yards on its ensuing possession, but that was enough to kick a go-ahead 21-yard field goal. Nebraska began its game-winning drive on its own 17 with 1:14 remaining. Ameer Abdullah broke a tackle to pick up a first down on a 4th-and-15 play and the game's final snap came with four seconds remaining. With the ball at the Northwestern 49-yard line, Ron Kellogg III dropped back and launched a deep pass that was tipped and caught by Jordan Westerkamp right at the goal line for the first game-winning Hail Mary pass in Nebraska history.
Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28 (Oct. 20, 2012)
Nebraska scored a pair of touchdowns in the final six minutes to tie the largest fourth-quarter comeback in school history. The Huskers trailed 28-16 with 8:31 to play before a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Nebraska then forced a 3-and-out defensively and got the ball back at its own 24-yard line, trailing 28-23 with 4:10 to play. The Huskers found the end zone in only six plays, taking a 29-28 lead following a failed two-point conversion. Northwestern then drove into Nebraska territory and missed a 53-yard field goal with 1:10 remaining, essentially ending the game.
Northwestern 28, Nebraska 25 (Nov. 5, 2011)
In the first game between the programs as Big Ten foes, Northwestern never trailed in an upset of the ninth-ranked Huskers. The Wildcats led 7-3 at the half and the teams traded third-quarter touchdowns before an explosive fourth quarter. Northwestern took a 21-10 lead on an 81-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes into the final quarter, but the Huskers answered that score three-and-a-half minutes later. Northwestern responded with a 13-play, 66-yard touchdown drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock. Trailing 28-18 with 1:18 remaining, Nebraska scored a touchdown with 18 seconds left, but the Huskers could not recover the ensuing onside kick.
About Northwestern
Northwestern is one of the oldest programs in college football history, as the Wildcats played their inaugural season in 1882, eight years before Nebraska's first season. Northwestern has won eight Big Ten titles and played in 15 bowl games. Five of the Wildcats eight conference titles came between 1903 and 1936 before Northwestern's successful run in the late 1990s that included Big Ten championships in 1995, 1996 and 2000.
Northwestern's recent success has continued under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was a member of the Wildcats' 1995 and 1996 Big Ten champion teams. Fitzgerald earned his 100th career victory at Northwestern against Maryland two weeks ago. Fitzgerald has taken Northwestern to nine of its 15 all-time bowl games, and the Wildcats were bowl champions in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
First Year: 1882
All-Time Record: 549-675-44
Bowl Record: 5-10
Conference Titles: 8
National Titles: 0
Stadium: Ryan Field
Capacity: 47,310
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Enrollment: 8,367
About Pat Fitzgerald
Pat Fitzgerald is in his 15th season overall as an FBS head coach and his 15th season at Northwestern, where he has a record of 101-79 and a Big Ten record of 59-59. Already the second-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten at the age of 45, Fitzgerald has spent his tenure building upon the tradition he helped establish as a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Wildcats in the mid-1990s. Fitzgerald has built the Wildcats into a consistent winner. The 2018 Wildcat team claimed the program's first-ever West Division title and earned a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game with a program-tying eight Big Ten wins. Fitzgerald was named the consensus Big Ten Head Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the 2018 Dodd Trophy. He has led the Wildcats to nine bowl appearances in his 14 seasons and has guided Northwestern to four of the five bowl wins in program history.
Scouting 2020 Northwestern
Northwestern enters Saturday's matchup with a 2-0 record and is one of three undefeated teams in the Big Ten West.
Through its first two games, Northwestern's defense has given up an average of 11.5 points per game, which ranks second in the conference behind Wisconsin and fifth nationally.
Most recently, the Wildcats erased a 17-point first quarter deficit in a 21-20 win over Cockeye last weekend thanks to an incredible second-half effort. The Wildcat defense was dominant, holding the Cockeyes scoreless in the second half and allowing just 293 yards of total offense while forcing three takeaways. The 'Cats defense was impenetrable in the fourth quarter, allowing just 95 yards on four Cockeye drives to preserve Northwestern's one-point win.
Graduate transfer Peyton Ramsey leads the offensive efforts for the Wildcats. The quarterback is 34-for-48 in the air and has thrown for 342 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, Isaiah Bowser leads Northwestern with 155 rushing yards. Bowser also has one touchdown on the season.
Last Meeting: October 5, 2019
Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10
LINCOLN - Backup quarterback takes over for the injured starter in the fourth quarter of a tie game.
He leads his team into position for the winning field goal, which just happens to be kicked by a walk-on who started the season expecting to play another position.
After his low kick splits the uprights, he's mobbed by teammates and carried off the field.
Yep, it was just another Northwestern-Nebraska game Saturday, this one a 13-10 win for the Cornhuskers that ended on Lane McCallum's 24-yard field goal as time ran out.
The Cornhuskers prevailed in a slog after Lamar Jackson intercepted Aidan Smith's pass to set up the final drive.
Noah Vedral, who took over at quarterback after Adrian Martinez was hurt on the final play of the third quarter, connected with Wan'Dale Robinson along the sideline for 32 yards and then ran twice to get to the 7-yard line with three seconds left.
Northwestern called three timeouts before McCallum, who had hit from 35 yards and missed from 29, converted from the left hash mark.
The Huskers won with Martinez and leading receiver JD Spielman on the sideline. Martinez limped to the sideline at the end of a short run, and Spielman went out earlier in the third with an apparent knee injury.
The two teams combined for 19 punts in a game where yards were hard to come by. Nebraska outgained Northwestern in total offense 319 yards (186 pass, 133 rush) to 293 yards (136 pass, 157 rush). Nebraska did not commit a turnover, while Northwestern had one. The Huskers were flagged eight times for 74 yards while the Wildcats were tagged 6 times for 50 yards. Northwestern won the time of possession battle 31:21 to 28:39.
Adrian Martinez was 13-of-20 for 145 yards before leaving the game. Noah Vedral was 2-of-5 for 41 yards in relief. Rushing, Wan'Dale Robinson led the team with seven carries for 44 yards and the team's only touchdown. Noah Vedral added seven carries for 33 yards, Dedrick Mills had 10 carries for 26 yards and Martinez also rushed nine times for 26 yards. Robinson was the leading Husker receiver with seven catches for 123 yards.
For Northwestern, Aidan Smith was 19-of-32 for 136 yards with an INT and also led the team in rushing with 16 carries for 64 yards and a TD on the ground. Drake Anderson added 13 carries for 61 yards. Riley Lees caught seven passes for 48 yards to lead Wildcat pass catchers.
