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1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team





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The 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A college football season. The 1995 season was a highly memorable one for the Northwestern program, as the Wildcats went 10–2 overall and 8–0 in the Big Ten Conference, earning their first winning season since 1971, their first conference championship since 1936, and their first 10-win season since 1903.[2] They also broke several long-standing losing streaks to regular opponents, including a 22-game losing streak to Iowa, a 19-game losing streak against Michigan, and a 14-game losing streak to Notre Dame.

1995 Northwestern Wildcats football

Big Ten champion

Rose Bowl, L 32–41 vs. USC

ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 7
APNo. 8
Record10–2 (8–0 Big Ten)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorRon Vanderlinden (4th season)
Captains
  • William Bennett[1]
  • Rob Johnson
  • Sam Valenzisi
Home stadiumDyche Stadium
Seasons
← 1994
1996 →
1995 Big Ten Conference football standings
  • t
  • e
    		•  Conf Overall
    Team W   L   T W   L   T
    No.8Northwestern $ 8 – 0 – 0 10 – 2 – 0
    No.6Ohio State 7 – 1 – 0 11 – 2 – 0
    No.13Penn State 5 – 3 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
    No.17Michigan 5 – 3 – 0 9 – 4 – 0
    Michigan State 4 – 3 – 1 6 – 5 – 1
    No.25Iowa 4 – 4 – 0 8 – 4 – 0
    Illinois 3 – 4 – 1 5 – 5 – 1
    Wisconsin 3 – 4 – 1 4 – 5 – 2
    Purdue 2 – 5 – 1 4 – 6 – 1
    Minnesota 1 – 7 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
    Indiana 0 – 8 – 0 2 – 9 – 0
    • $ – Conference champion
    Rankings from AP Poll

    "Expect Victory" was the motto even as Northwestern began the season as 28-point underdogs against Notre Dame, who they upset 17–15, propelling into the AP poll at #25. An upset loss to the Miami Redhawks in the second game of the season caused the Wildcats to drop out of the rankings. However, subsequent wins over ranked Michigan (19–13), Wisconsin (35–0), and Penn State (21–10) pushed the Wildcats into the top-10 while making them national media darlings.

    Nine consecutive wins (including eight against Big Ten opponents) brought Northwestern their highest ranking since 1962 (#3), a conference title, and their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1949. In the Rose Bowl, the Wildcats' Cinderella season came to a conclusion with a 41–32 loss to the USC Trojans, and they finished the season at #8.

    Northwestern was coached by Gary Barnett, who won multiple coach of the year awards for leading the dramatic turnaround of the program. Star players included the trio of quarterback Steve Schnur, running back Darnell Autry, and linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, who was named Big Ten and national defensive player of the year.

    Schedule

    edit
    DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
    September 21:30 pmat No. 9 Notre Dame*
  • Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)
    		• NBCW 17–1559,075
    September 1611:00 amMiami (OH)*No. 25
  • Evanston, IL
    		• ESPN2L 28–3026,352
    September 2311:30 amAir Force*
    • Dyche Stadium
  • Evanston, IL
    		• ESPNW 30–626,037
    September 301:00 pmIndiana
    • Dyche Stadium
  • Evanston, IL
    		• W 31–729,223
    October 711:30 amat No. 7 MichiganNo. 25
  • Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)
    		• ESPNW 19–13104,642
    October 141:00 pmatMinnesotaNo. 14
  • Minneapolis, MN
    		• W 27–1750,504
    October 2111:30 amNo. 24 Wisconsin No. 11
    • Dyche Stadium
  • Evanston, IL
    		• ESPN2W 35–049,256
    October 2811:00 amatIllinoisNo. 8
  • Champaign, IL (rivalry)
    		• SCCW 17–1465,425
    November 42:30 pmNo. 12 Penn StateNo. 6
    • Dyche Stadium
  • Evanston, IL
    		• ABCW 21–1049,256
    November 1111:00 amIowaNo. 5
    • Dyche Stadium
  • Evanston, IL (College GameDay)
    		• CreativeW 31–2049,256
    November 182:30 pmatPurdueNo. 5
  • West Lafayette, IN
    		• ABCW 23–847,172
    January 13:30 pmvs. No. 17 USC*No. 3
  • Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl)
    		• ABCL 32–41100,102
    • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

    • Roster

    edit
    1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
    Players Coaches
    Offense
    Pos. # Name Class
    RB 32 Adrian Autry So
    RB 24 Darnell Autry So
    WR 5 D'Wayne Bates Fr
    WR 86 Dave Beazley Jr
    FB   Levelle Brown Fr
    G 61 Justin Chabot Jr
    TE 83 Darren Drexler Jr
    TE 85 Brian Harpring Sr
    FB 46 Matt Hartl Jr
    QB 8 Tim Hughes Jr
    OT 74 Paul Janus Jr
    C 57 Rob Johnson Sr
    OT 78 Brian Kardos
    WR 22 Brian Musso So
    G 75 Ryan Padgett
    G 77 Chad Pugh
    QB 10 Steve Schnur Jr
    WR 25 Jeff Swenson So
    		Defense
    Pos. # Name Class
    FS 20 William Bennett Sr
    FS 54 Gabriel Moor Fr
    SS 33 Eric Collier Jr
    DE 36 Casey Dailey Jr
    LB 51 Pat Fitzgerald   Jr
    LB 55 Barry Gardner Fr
    LB 53 Don Holmes Jr
    CB 3 Hudhaifa Ismaeli So
    LB 44 Keith Lozowski Jr
    LB 59 BT Franklin Sr
    CB 16 Chris Martin Sr
    CB 15 Rodney Ray Sr
    DL 89 Larry Curry Sr
    DL 94 Joe Reiff Jr
    DL 95 Matt Rice
    DL 96 Ray Robey
    LB   Tim Scharf Jr
    LB 47 Geoff Shein
    LB 50 Danny Sutter
    		Special teams
    Pos. # Name Class
    P 14 Paul Burton Jr
    K 13 Brian Gowins So
    K 27 Sam Valenzisi   (C) Sr
    Head coach
    Coordinators/assistant coaches
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    •   Injured
    •   Redshirt

    Rankings

    edit
    Further information: 1995 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
    — = Not ranked
    Week
    PollPre123456789101112131415Final
    AP———25——25141186554338
    Coaches——————171186554337

    [3]

    Game summaries

    edit

    Notre Dame

    edit
    See also: 1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and Northwestern–Notre Dame football rivalry

    Northwestern Wildcats at #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Northwestern 7 3 7017
    Notre Dame 0 9 0615

    atNotre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q16:15NWDave Beazley 6-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick)NW 7–0
    Q2NDKevin Kopka 35-yard field goalNW 7–3
    Q2NWSam Valenzisi 37-yard field goalNW 10–3
    Q22:35NDRobert Farmer 5-yard run (kick failed)NW 10–9
    Q3NWD'Wayne Bates 26-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick)NW 17–9
    Q46:15NDRandy Kinder 2-yard run (conversion failed)NW 17–15

    [4] [5] [6] [7]

    Miami (OH)

    edit
    See also: 1995 Miami Redskins football team

    The Wildcats surrendered a 21-point 4th quarter lead in their first game as a nationally ranked team since 1971. Miami of Ohio's Chad Seitz booted a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give the Redskins the victory. The opposing team was led by future Northwestern head coach Randy Walker and his offensive coordinator was Sean Payton. This would be the lone regular season blemish on the Wildcats' schedule.[8][9]

    Miami (OH) Redskins at #25 Northwestern Wildcats

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Miami (OH) 0 7 02330
    Northwestern 14 7 7028

    atDyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q110:50NWD'Wayne Bates 27-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick)NW 7–0
    Q13:40NWDarnell Autry 13-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick)NW 14–0
    Q24:06NWD'Wayne Bates 36-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick)NW 21–0
    Q21:55M-OHDee Osborne 5-yard blocked punt return (Seitz kick)NW 21–7
    Q314:09NWRodney Ray 20-yard interception return (Valenzisi kick)NW 28–7
    Q411:14M-OHJay Hall 5-yard pass from Sam Ricketts (Seitz kick)NW 28–14
    Q48:36M-OHJeremy Adkins 9-yard pass from Sam Ricketts (Seitz kick)NW 28–21
    Q42:22M-OHTy King 2-yard run (conversion failed)NW 28–27
    Q40:00M-OHChad Seitz 20-yard field goalMIAMI 30–28

    Air Force

    edit
    See also: 1995 Air Force Falcons football team

    Air Force Falcons at Northwestern Wildcats

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Air Force 0 6 006
    Northwestern 10 6 01430

    atDyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q17:21NWSam Valenzisi 46-yard field goalNW 3–0
    Q14:19NWDarnell Autry 1-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 10–0
    Q213:09AFRandy Roberts 26-yard field goalNW 10–3
    Q29:36NWSam Valenzisi 26-yard field goalNW 13–3
    Q27:16NWSam Valenzisi 35-yard field goalNW 16–3
    Q20:31AFRandy Roberts 39-yard field goalNW 16–6
    Q414:57NWDarnell Autry 6-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 23–6
    Q48:37NWAdrian Autry 5-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 30–6

    Indiana

    edit
    See also: 1995 Indiana Hoosiers football team

    Indiana Hoosiers at Northwestern Wildcats

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Indiana 0 7 007
    Northwestern 3 7 111031

    atDyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q10:01NWSam Valenzisi 40-yard field goalNW 3–0
    Q29:26INDChris Dittoe 2-yard run (Manolopoulos kick)Indiana 7–3
    Q25:27NWDarnell Autry 42-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 10–7
    Q37:04NWSam Valenzisi 34-yard field goalNW 13–7
    Q34:24NWDarnell Autry 6-yard run (Beazley pass from Schnur)NW 21–7
    Q49:06NWCasey Dailey 43-yard fumble return (Valenzisi kick)NW 28–7
    Q46:30NWSam Valenzisi 32-yard field goalNW 31–7

    Michigan

    edit
    See also: 1995 Michigan Wolverines football team

    #25 Northwestern Wildcats at #7 Michigan Wolverines

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Northwestern 0 6 31019
    Michigan 3 3 7013

    atMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q19:33MichRemy Hamilton 41-yard field goalMich 3–0
    Q212:43MichRemy Hamilton 21-yard field goalMich 6–0
    Q24:15NWSam Valenzisi 29-yard field goalMich 6–3
    Q20:01NWSam Valenzisi 28-yard field goalTied 6–6
    Q38:02MichBrian Griese 3-yard run (Hamilton kick)Mich 13–6
    Q33:48NWSam Valenzisi 32-yard field goalMich 13–9
    Q412:42NWMatt Hartl 2-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick)NW 16–13
    Q48:42NWSam Valenzisi 22-yard field goalNW 19–13

    Minnesota

    edit
    See also: 1995 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

    After falling behind 14–3 early in the second quarter, the Wildcats scored the next 24 points to take control of the game. Darnell Autry ran for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 73-yard burst early in the fourth quarter.[12]

    #14 Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden Gophers

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Northwestern 3 11 7627
    Minnesota 7 7 0317

    atHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q13:49NWSam Valenzisi 29-yard field goalNW 3–0
    Q10:30MinnPaul Kratochvil 4-yard pass from Cory Sauter (Chalberg kick)Minn 7–3
    Q213:08MinnChris Darkins 6-yard run (Chalberg kick)Minn 14–3
    Q29:47NWSam Valenzisi 29-yard field goalMinn 14–6
    Q25:42NWDarnell Autry 18-yard run (D'Wayne Bates pass from Steve Schnur)Tied 14–14
    Q33:57NWDarnell Autry 11-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 21–14
    Q412:21NWDarnell Autry 73-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 27–14
    Q48:51MinnMike Chalberg 47-yard field goalNW 27–17

    Wisconsin

    edit
    See also: 1995 Wisconsin Badgers football team

    The Wildcats forced 7 Badger turnovers (Wisconsin had 6 total in their first five games) in a triumphant homecoming matchup. The game marked the first sellout at Northwestern since 1984.[13] [14]

    #24 Wisconsin Badgers at #11 Northwestern Wildcats

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Wisconsin 0 0 000
    Northwestern 10 3 61635

    atDyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q17:22NWSteve Schnur 1-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 7–0
    Q22:39NWSam Valenzisi 32-yard field goalNW 10–0
    Q20:56NWSam Valenzisi 26-yard field goalNW 13–0
    Q313:21NWDarnell Autry 32-yard pass from Steve Schnur (conversion failed)NW 19–0
    Q413:34NWDarnell Autry 3-yard run (Valenzisi kick)NW 26–0
    Q411:03NWBrian Gowins 40-yard field goalNW 29–0
    Q47:29NWLevelle Brown 38-yard run (PAT failed)NW 35–0

    Illinois

    edit
    See also: 1995 Illinois Fighting Illini football team and Illinois–Northwestern football rivalry

    #8 Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting Illini

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Northwestern 0 10 0717
    Illinois 7 7 0014

    atMemorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q19:41ILLWeaver 1-yard run (Scheuplein kick)Ill 7–0
    Q210:32ILLRobert Holcombe 7-yard run (Scheuplein kick)Ill 14–0
    Q28:12NWBrian Gowins 49-yard field goalIll 14–3
    Q24:33NWD'Wayne Bates 43-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Gowins kick)Ill 14–10
    Q46:14NWDarnell Autry 1-yard run (Gowins kick)NW 17–14

    Penn State

    edit
    See also: 1995 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

    #12 Penn State Nittany Lions at #6 Northwestern Wildcats

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Penn State 0 7 3010
    Northwestern 7 7 0721

    atDyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q18:47NWDarnell Autry 2-yard run (Gowins kick)NW 7–0
    Q28:07NWDarnell Autry 11-yard run (Gowins kick)NW 14–0
    Q20:48PSUOlsommer 5-yard pass from Richardson (Conway kick)NW 14–7
    Q38:32PSUConway 24-yard field goalNW 14–10
    Q411:03NWDarnell Autry 1-yard run (Gowins kick)NW 21–10

    [16][17]

    Iowa

    edit
    See also: 1995 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and College GameDay (football)

    Iowa Hawkeyes at #5 Northwestern Wildcats

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Iowa 0 20 0020
    Northwestern 3 14 7731

    atDyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    16:24NWBrian Gowins 50-yard field goalNW 3–0
    213:03IOWASedrick Shaw 1-yard run (Bromert kick)IOWA 7–3
    28:25IOWATom Knight 28-yard interception return (Bromert kick)IOWA 14–3
    26:44NWDarren Drexler 21-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Gowins kick)IOWA 14–10
    25:05NWBrian Musso 60-yard punt return (Gowins kick)NW 17–14
    21:31IOWAScott Slutzker 39-yard pass from Matt Sherman (kick failed)IOWA 20–17
    311:08NWDarnell Autry 3-yard run (Gowins kick)NW 24–20
    42:56NWHudhaifa Ismaeli 31-yard fumble return (Gowins kick)NW 31–20

    [18]

    Purdue

    edit
    See also: 1995 Purdue Boilermakers football team

    Northwestern got two big scoring plays in the first half – a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chris Martin and a 72-yard touchdown reception by D'Wayne Bates – to take control. Darnell Autry carried the ball 32 times for a career-high 226 yards.[19][20]

    #5 Northwestern Wildcats at Purdue Boilermakers

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Northwestern 7 7 9023
    Purdue 0 0 088

    atRoss–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q17:47NWChris Martin 76-yard interception return (Gowins kick)NW 7–0
    Q23:10NWD'Wayne Bates 72-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Gowins kick)NW 14–0
    Q313:53NWSafetyNW 16–0
    Q313:38NWSteve Schnur 1-yard run (Gowins kick)NW 23–0
    Q410:30PURWatson 3-yard run (Alstott reception)NW 23–8

    Rose Bowl

    edit
    See also: 1995 USC Trojans football team and 1996 Rose Bowl

    #3 Northwestern Wildcats vs. #17 USC Trojans

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Northwestern 7 3 16632
    USC 7 17 71041

    atRose Bowl, Pasadena, California

    Game information
    Scoring summary
    Q110:02USCLavale Woods 1-yard run (Abrams kick)USC 7–0
    Q16:05NWDarnell Autry 3-yard run (Gowins kick)Tied 7–7
    Q213:05USCTerry Barnum 21-yard pass from Brad Otton (Abrams kick)USC 14–7
    Q23:29USCAdam Abrams 30-yard field goalUSC 17–7
    Q22:56USCDaylon McCutcheon 53-yard fumble return (Abrams kick)USC 24–7
    Q20:02NWBrian Gowins 29-yard field goalUSC 24–10
    Q311:01NWBrian Gowins 28-yard field goalUSC 24–13
    Q38:17NWDarnell Autry 3-yard run (conversion failed)USC 24–19
    Q26:08USCKeyshawn Johnson 56-yard pass from Brad Otton (Abrams kick)USC 31–19
    Q32:58NWSteve Schnur 1-yard run (Gowins kick)USC 31–26
    Q413:01NWDarnell Autry 2-yard run (conversion failed)NW 32–31
    Q49:09USCAdam Abrams 46-yard field goalUSC 34–32
    Q42:55USCDelon Washington 2-yard run (Abrams kick)USC 41–32

    [21] [22] [23][24]

    Awards and honors

    edit

    1995 team players in the NFL

    edit

    References

    edit
    1. ^ "Year-by-Year Results" (PDF). 2007. p. 149. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  • ^ "Northwestern Wildcats College Football History, Stats, Records". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  • ^ "Northwestern 1995 AP Football Rankings". collegepollarchive.com. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "NORTHWESTERN DETERMINED TO BUCK THE ODDS". Chicago Tribune. August 23, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Northwestern vs. Notre Dame". USA Today. September 2, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "NOTRE DAME STUNNED BY NORTHWESTERN". The Washington Post. September 3, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  • ^ "Witnesses recall Northwestern's 1995 upset of Notre Dame". Chicago Tribune. November 13, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Miami (ohio) vs. Northwestern". USA Today. September 16, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Back to Reality: Miami of Ohio 30, Northwestern 28". Chicago Tribune. September 17, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Air Force vs. Northwestern". USA Today. September 23, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Indiana vs. Northwestern". USA Today. September 30, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Northwestern vs. Minnesota". USA Today. October 14, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Northwestern 35, Wisconsin 0". United Press International. October 21, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "NEWS FOR NO. 8 NU ISN'T ALL THAT ROSY". Chicago Tribune. October 23, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Northwestern vs. Illinois". USA Today. October 28, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Penn St. vs. Northwestern". USA Today. November 4, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ Layden, Tim (November 13, 1995). "THE CATS' MEOW BY BEATING PENN STATE, NORTHWESTERN PROVED IT'S MORE THAN A GOOD STORY--IT'S A GOOD TEAM". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  • ^ "Iowa vs. Northwestern". USA Today. November 11, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  • ^ "Northwestern vs. Purdue". USA Today. November 18, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "Memory of Single Loss Helped Wildcats Dig In". Chicago Tribune. November 19, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  • ^ "FOR INJURED, A BITTERSWEET TIME". Chicago Tribune. December 24, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ Telander, Rick (December 25, 1995). "PURPLE HAZE IN AN IMPROBABLY SENSATIONAL SEASON, NORTHWESTERN EMERGED FROM A FOG OF FUTILITY TO EARN A TRIP TO SUNNY PASADENA". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  • ^ "USC Rewrites Northwestern's Storybook Ending". The New York Times. January 2, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  • ^ "ROSE BOWL: USC 41, Northwestern 32 : Cinderella Beaten to Ball". Los Angeles Times. January 2, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2019.

    • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1995_Northwestern_Wildcats_football_team&oldid=1224743579"
      



    Last edited on 20 May 2024, at 05:53  





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