The 2018 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats played their home games at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by 13th-year head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Northwestern began the year with a 1–3 record after winning its conference road opener against Purdue but falling to non-conference foes Duke and Akron, as well as Michigan in their conference home opener. The team won their next four games, including wins over ranked opponents Michigan State and Wisconsin, before falling to Notre Dame, which secured a winless non-conference slate. Regardless, the Wildcats clinched their first Big Ten West Division title by defeating No. 21 Iowa the following week.[1] They won their remaining two conference games to finish the regular season with a conference record of 8–1. In the 2018 Big Ten Football Championship Game, they lost to East Division champion Ohio State 45–24. The team was invited to the Holiday Bowl to play Pac-12 Conference runner-up Utah. The Wildcats won by a score of 31–20, their third consecutive bowl victory, which was a program first.[2] In the final AP Poll of the season, the Wildcats were ranked 21st.
Quarterback Clayton Thorson led the team's offense, finishing with 3,183 passing yards, third most in the Big Ten Conference, to go along with 17 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns. Thorson, a fourth-year starter, finished his career as the school's all-time leading passer.[2] Freshman running back Isaiah Bowser led the team in rushing with 866 yards, and wide receiver Flynn Nagel led the team in receiving with 780 yards. On defense, linebacker Blake Gallagher led the Big Ten in total tackles with 127.[3] Fellow linebacker Paddy Fisher was named first team all-conference by the coaches, while defensive back Montre Hartage was named to the first team by the media. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald received the conference's coach of the year award.[4]
Preseason
Award watch lists
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|
| 7:00 p.m. | at Purdue | | | ESPN | W 31–27 | 47,410 |
| September 8 | 11:00 a.m. | Duke* | | | ESPNU | L 7–21 | 40,654 |
| September 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Akron* | | | BTN | L 34–39 | 40,014 |
| September 29 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 14 Michigan | | | FOX | L 17–20 | 47,330 |
| October 6 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 20 Michigan State | | | FS1 | W 29–19 | 72,850 |
| October 13 | 11:00 a.m. | Nebraska | | | ABC | W 34–31 OT | 47,330 |
| October 20 | 11:00 a.m. | at Rutgers | | | BTN | W 18–15 | 32,514 |
| October 27 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 20 Wisconsin | | | FOX | W 31–17 | 47,330 |
| November 3 | 6:15 p.m. | No. 4 Notre Dame* | | | ESPN | L 21–31 | 47,330 |
| November 10 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 21 Iowa | | | FOX | W 14–10 | 66,493 |
| November 17 | 11:00 a.m. | at Minnesota | No. 22 | | BTN | W 24–14 | 32,134 |
| November 24 | 2:30 p.m. | Illinois | No. 19 | | BTN | W 24–16 | 37,124 |
| December 1 | 7:00 p.m. | vs. No. 6 Ohio State | No. 21 | | FOX | L 24–45 | 66,375 |
| 6:00 p.m. | vs. No. 17 Utah* | No. 22 | | FS1 | W 31–20 | 47,007 |
|
Game summaries
At Purdue
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| Wildcats
|
14
|
17
|
0
|
0 |
31 |
| Boilermakers
|
14
|
3
|
7
|
3 |
27 |
| Scoring summary
|
| Quarter
|
Time
|
Drive
|
Team
|
Scoring information
|
Score
|
| Plays
|
Yards
|
TOP
|
NU
|
PUR
|
| 1
|
7:58
|
11
|
64
|
4:42
|
NU
|
Jeremy Larkin 1-yard touchdown run, Charlie Kuhbander kick good
|
7
|
0
|
| 1
|
5:34
|
5
|
65
|
1:09
|
NU
|
John Moten IV 2-yard touchdown run, Charlie Kuhbander kick good
|
14
|
0
|
| 1
|
4:20
|
4
|
60
|
1:14
|
PUR
|
Rondale Moore 32-yard touchdown reception from Elijah Sindelar, Spencer Evans kick good
|
14
|
7
|
| 1
|
1:02
|
3
|
85
|
1:20
|
PUR
|
Rondale Moore 76-yard touchdown run, Spencer Evans kick good
|
14
|
14
|
| 2
|
13:37
|
8
|
59
|
2:25
|
NU
|
34-yard field goal by Charlie Kuhbander
|
17
|
14
|
| 2
|
7:06
|
3
|
55
|
0:58
|
NU
|
T.J. Green 1-yard touchdown run, Charlie Kuhbander kick good
|
24
|
14
|
| 2
|
3:44
|
10
|
44
|
3:22
|
PUR
|
38-yard field goal by Spencer Evans
|
24
|
17
|
| 2
|
0:37
|
5
|
30
|
2:04
|
NU
|
Jeremy Larkin 4-yard touchdown run, Charlie Kuhbander kick good
|
31
|
17
|
| 3
|
11:37
|
6
|
71
|
1:52
|
PUR
|
D.J. Knox 2-yard touchdown run, Spencer Evans kick good
|
31
|
24
|
| 4
|
14:56
|
13
|
76
|
6:36
|
PUR
|
27-yard field goal by Spencer Evans
|
31
|
27
|
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
|
|
|
|
Duke
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| Blue Devils
|
0
|
21
|
0
|
0 |
21 |
| Wildcats
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
0 |
7 |
[14]
Akron
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| Zips
|
0
|
3
|
23
|
13 |
39 |
| Wildcats
|
7
|
14
|
7
|
6 |
34 |
Michigan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| No. 14 Wolverines
|
0
|
7
|
6
|
7 |
20 |
| Wildcats
|
10
|
7
|
0
|
0 |
17 |
At Michigan State
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| Wildcats
|
7
|
7
|
0
|
15 |
29 |
| No. 20 Spartans
|
3
|
3
|
13
|
0 |
19 |
Nebraska
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total |
| Cornhuskers
|
7
|
6
|
7
|
11 | 0 |
31 |
| Wildcats
|
0
|
14
|
0
|
17 | 3 |
34 |
At Rutgers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| Wildcats
|
7
|
0
|
3
|
8 |
18 |
| Scarlet Knights
|
0
|
12
|
3
|
0 |
15 |
Wisconsin
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| No. 20 Badgers
|
7
|
3
|
0
|
7 |
17 |
| Wildcats
|
7
|
7
|
10
|
7 |
31 |
Notre Dame
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| No. 3 Fighting Irish
|
7
|
0
|
14
|
10 |
31 |
| Wildcats
|
0
|
7
|
0
|
14 |
21 |
At Iowa
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| Wildcats
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
7 |
14 |
| No. 21 Hawkeyes
|
0
|
3
|
7
|
0 |
10 |
At Minnesota
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| No. 24 Wildcats
|
7
|
6
|
0
|
11 |
24 |
| Golden Gophers
|
0
|
7
|
0
|
7 |
14 |
Illinois
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| Fighting Illini
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
10 |
16 |
| No. 20 Wildcats
|
7
|
14
|
3
|
0 |
24 |
Vs. Ohio State (Big Ten Championship game)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| No. 21 Wildcats
|
7
|
0
|
14
|
3 |
24 |
| No. 6 Buckeyes
|
14
|
10
|
7
|
14 |
45 |
Vs. Utah (Holiday Bowl)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| No. 20 Utes
|
14
|
6
|
0
|
0 |
20 |
| Wildcats
|
0
|
3
|
28
|
0 |
31 |
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
|---|
| AP | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | 24 | 20 | 21 | RV | 21 |
|---|
| Coaches | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 21 | 21 | 22 | 19 |
|---|
| CFP | Not released | — | — | 22 | 19 | 21 | 22 | Not released |
|---|
Roster
| 2018 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
|
| Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| RB
|
1
|
Chad Hanaoka
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
2
|
Flynn Nagel
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
4
|
Solomon Vault
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
5
|
Charles Fessler
|
Jr
|
| WR
|
6
|
Jelani Roberts
|
Sr
|
| QB
|
7
|
Jason Whittaker
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
8
|
Kyric McGowan
|
So
|
| QB
|
10
|
T. J. Green
|
Jr
|
| QB
|
11
|
Aidan Smith
|
So
|
| WR
|
12
|
J. J. Jefferson
|
Fr
|
| QB
|
13
|
Andrew Marty
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
15
|
Jace James
|
So
|
| QB
|
15
|
Hunter Johnson (I)
|
So
|
| WR
|
16
|
Berkeley Holman
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
17
|
Jalen Brown
|
Sr
|
| QB
|
18
|
Clayton Thorson
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
19
|
Riley Lees
|
So
|
| RB
|
20
|
John Moten IV
|
Jr
|
| RB
|
21
|
Drake Anderson
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
23
|
Steven Reese
|
Jr
|
| RB
|
24
|
Alex Bousky
|
Sr
|
| RB
|
25
|
Isaiah Bowser
|
Fr
|
| RB
|
28
|
Jeremy Larkin
|
So
|
| RB
|
36
|
Jesse Brown
|
So
|
| SB
|
44
|
James Prather
|
Sr
|
| SB
|
48
|
Brian Kaiser
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
52
|
Sam Gerak
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
57
|
Cam Kolwich
|
So
|
| OL
|
59
|
J. B. Butler
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
61
|
Jason Goosen
|
So
|
| OL
|
65
|
Jared Thomas
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
66
|
Nik Urban
|
So
|
| OL
|
67
|
Willy Boatman
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
68
|
Wyatt Blake
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
69
|
Charlie Schmidt
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
70
|
Rashawn Slater
|
So
|
| OL
|
71
|
Tommy Doles
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
72
|
Blake Hance
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
73
|
Gunnar Vogel
|
So
|
| OL
|
74
|
Payne He'Bert
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
76
|
Ethan Wiederkehr
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
77
|
Jesse Meyler
|
So
|
| OL
|
78
|
Sam Stovall
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
79
|
Trey Klock
|
Sr
|
| SB
|
80
|
Trey Pugh
|
So
|
| WR
|
81
|
Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
|
So
|
| SB
|
82
|
Alex Oelsner
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
83
|
Will Lansbury
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
84
|
Cameron Green
|
Jr
|
| WR
|
85
|
Jack Tirmonia
|
So
|
| SB
|
86
|
Cody Link
|
So
|
| WR
|
86
|
Raymond Niro III
|
Fr
|
| SB
|
87
|
Eric Eshoo
|
So
|
| WR
|
88
|
Ben Skowronek
|
Jr
|
| SB
|
89
|
Charlie Mangieri
|
Fr
|
|
Defense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| DB
|
3
|
Trae Williams
|
Jr
|
| DB
|
7
|
Travis Whillock
|
So
|
| DB
|
9
|
Roderick Campbell
|
So
|
| DB
|
10
|
Alonzo Mayo
|
Jr
|
| DB
|
11
|
A. J. Hampton
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
13
|
J. R. Pace
|
So
|
| DB
|
18
|
Cameron Ruiz
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
22
|
Bryce Jackson
|
Fr
|
| CB
|
24
|
Montre Hartage
|
Sr
|
| DB
|
25
|
Austin Hiller
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
26
|
Brian Bullock
|
So
|
| DB
|
27
|
Jeremiah McDonald
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
28
|
Chris Bergin
|
So
|
| DB
|
29
|
Greg Newsome II
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
31
|
Jaylen Rivers
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
32
|
Nate Hall
|
Sr
|
| LB
|
33
|
Grayson Mann
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
34
|
Chee Anyanwu
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
35
|
Erik Mueller
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
37
|
Donovan Sermons
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
40
|
Peter McIntyre
|
Fr
|
| S
|
41
|
Jared McGee
|
Sr
|
| LB
|
42
|
Paddy Fisher
|
So
|
| LB
|
44
|
Khalid Jones
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
45
|
Nathan Fox
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
46
|
Troy Hudetz
|
So
|
| DL
|
46
|
Devin O'Rourke
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
47
|
Joe Bergin
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
50
|
Jango Glackin
|
So
|
| LB
|
51
|
Blake Gallagher
|
So
|
| DL
|
53
|
Eku Leota
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
54
|
Trent Goens
|
Jr
|
| DE
|
55
|
Mark Gooden
|
So
|
| DL
|
75
|
Ben Oxley
|
Sr
|
| DT
|
90
|
Jake Saunders
|
So
|
| DL
|
91
|
Samdup Miller
|
So
|
| DL
|
92
|
Fred Wyatt
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
93
|
Joe Spivak
|
So
|
| DE
|
94
|
Tommy Carnifax
|
So
|
| DL
|
95
|
Alex Miller
|
Jr
|
| DE
|
96
|
Trevor Kent
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
97
|
Joe Gaziano
|
Jr
|
| DE
|
98
|
Earnest Brown IV
|
So
|
| DL
|
99
|
Jordan Thompson
|
Sr
|
|
Special teams
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| K
|
14
|
Charlie Kuhbander
|
So
|
| P
|
17
|
Daniel Kubiuk
|
Sr
|
| P
|
37
|
Cody Gronewold
|
Fr
|
| K, P
|
38
|
Drew Luckenbaugh
|
So
|
| LS
|
43
|
Tyler Gillikin
|
So
|
| LS
|
48
|
Peter Snodgrass
|
Fr
|
| P
|
49
|
Jake Collins
|
Sr
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Lou Ayeni (running backs / recruiting coordinator)
- Adam Cushing (offensive line)
- Jeff Genyk (special teams coordinator)
- Mike Hankwitz (defensive coordinator)
- Bob Heffner (Superbacks)
- Marty Long (defensive line)
- Matt McPherson (Associate head coach / defensive backs)
- Mick McCall (offensive coordinator / quarterbacks)
- Tim McGarigle (linebackers)
- Dennis Springer (wide receivers)
- Chris Bowers (director of player personnel)
- Cody Cejda (director of football operations)
- Darby Dunnagan (director of Video Operations)
- Jay Hooten (director of Sports Performance for Football)
- Jacob Schmidt (director of player development)
- Bryan Payton (director of Recruiting Communications)
- Jonny Kovach (director of Recruiting Operations)
- Todd McShane (director of Scouting)
- John Holloway (assistant director of football operations)
- Deonte Gibson (defensive graduate assistant)
- Kevin Koch (defensive graduate assistant)
- Traveon Henry (offensive graduate assistant)
- Sean Pearson (offensive graduate assistant)
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster
Last update: August 16, 2018
|
Awards and honors
Individual Awards
| Player
|
Award
|
Ref.
|
| Pat Fitzgerald
|
Hayes–Schembechler Coach of the Year
Dave McClain Coach of the Year
|
[4]
|
All-Big Ten
| Player
|
Position
|
Coaches
|
Media
|
| Paddy Fisher
|
LB
|
1
|
2
|
| Montre Hartage
|
DB
|
3
|
1
|
| Joe Gaziano
|
DL
|
2
|
3
|
| Rashawn Slater
|
OT
|
3
|
HM
|
| Blake Gallagher
|
LB
|
HM
|
3
|
| Cameron Green
|
WR
|
HM
|
HM
|
| Clayton Thorson
|
QB
|
HM
|
HM
|
| Flynn Nagel
|
WR
|
HM
|
HM
|
| J.R. Pace
|
DB
|
HM
|
HM
|
| Nate Hall
|
DB
|
HM
|
HM
|
| HM = Honorable mention. Reference:[4]
|
Players drafted into the NFL
References
- ^ "Northwestern clinches first Big Ten division title with win at Iowa". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Friedman, Caleb (January 5, 2019). "Clayton Thorson left Northwestern better than he found it". InsideNU.com. Vox Media.
- ^ "2018 Big Ten Conference Year Summary". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ a b c "2018 All-Big Ten Football Teams and Individual Award Recipients" (PDF). BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. November 28, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List - Maxwell Football Club". Maxwell Football Club. July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- ^ "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ "Duke vs. Northwestern - Game Summary - September 8, 2018". ESPN. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
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