American college football season
2020 Northwestern Wildcats football Conference Big Ten Conference Division West Division Coaches No. 10 AP No. 10 2020 record 7–2 (6–1 Big Ten) Head coach Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian (1st season)Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz (13th season)Home stadium Ryan Field (Capacity: 47,130)Seasons
The 2020 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University during the 2020 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 15th-year head coach Pat Fitzgerald .
On August 11, 2020, the Big Ten Conference canceled all fall sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[2] However, on September 16, the Big Ten reinstated the season, announcing an eight-game season beginning on October 24.[3]
Previous season [ ]
The Wildcats finished the 2019 season 3–9, 1–8 in Big Ten play to finish in last place in the West Division.
Schedule [ ]
Northwestern had games scheduled against Tulane , Central Michigan , and Morgan State , but canceled these games on July 9 due to the Big Ten Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[4]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance October 24, 2020 6:30 p.m. Maryland BTN W 43–30
October 31 2:30 p.m. at Iowa ESPN W 21–201,432
November 7 11:00 a.m. Nebraska BTN W 21–130
November 14 6:30 p.m. at Purdue No. 23 BTN W 27–20886
November 21 2:30 p.m. No. 10 Wisconsin No. 19 ABC W 17–70
November 28 2:30 p.m. at Michigan State No. 8 ESPN L 20–290
December 5 11:00 a.m. at Minnesota No. 14 TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN BTN/FS1 No Contest –
December 12 11:00 a.m. Illinois No. 14 ESPN2 W 28–100
December 19 11:00 a.m. vs. No. 4 Ohio State No. 14 FOX L 10–223,178
12:00 p.m. vs. Auburn * No. 14 ABC W 35–1913,039
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings (after November 24) released prior to game All times are in Central time
[5]
Rankings [ ]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll
Pre
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Final
AP
RV
none
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
RV
RV
23
19
11
16
15
15
10
Coaches
NR
none
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
RV
RV
23
20
13
17
14
14
10
CFP
Not released
8
14
14
14
Not released
Game summaries [ ]
Maryland [ ]
Maryland Terrapins vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
Terrapins
3
0
0 0 3
Wildcats
14
16
7 6 43
at Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois
Date : October 24, 2020Game time : 6:30 p.m. CDT Game attendance : 0TV : BTN
Game information
First Quarter
MD – Joseph Petrino 33-yard field goal, 9:09. Maryland 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 5:51.
NU – Isaiah Bowser 1-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 4:49. Northwestern 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 4:20.
NU – Peyton Ramsey 12-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 1:31. Northwestern 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 1:58.
Second Quarter
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 43-yard field goal, 9:04. Northwestern 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:34.
NU – Drake Anderson 37-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 5:43. Northwestern 24–3. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:00.
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 23-yard field goal, 3:23. Northwestern 27–3. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:16.
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Northwestern 30–3. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 2:35.
Third Quarter
NU – Isaiah Bowser 7-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 6:29. Northwestern 37–3. Drive: 17 plays, 75 yards, 8:31.
Fourth Quarter
NU – Evan Hull 30-yard run (kick failed), 8:25. Northwestern 43–3. Drive: 8 plays, 93 yards, 5:47.
Top Passers
MD – Taulia Tagovailoa – 14/25, 94 yards, 3 INT
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 23/30, 212 yards, TD
Top Rushers
MD – Jake Funk – 6 rushes, 35 yards
NU – Drake Anderson – 10 rushes, 103 yards, TD
Top Receivers
MD – Nick DeGennaro – 3 receptions, 42 yards
NU – John Raine – 5 receptions, 53 yards
at Iowa [ ]
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Iowa Hawkeyes – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
Wildcats
0
14
7 0 21
Hawkeyes
17
3
0 0 20
at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa
Date : October 31, 2020Game time : 2:30 p.m. CDT Game attendance : 1,432TV : ESPN
Game information
First Quarter
IOWA – Brandon Smith 7-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Keith Duncan kick), 11:36. Iowa 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 7 yards, 0:06.
IOWA – Tyler Goodson 15-yard run (Keith Duncan kick), 8:36. Iowa 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:22.
IOWA – Keith Duncan 22-yard field goal, 1:43. Iowa 17–0. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 5:04.
Second Quarter
NU – Kyric McGowan 3-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 10:20. Iowa 17–7. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 6:23.
IOWA – Keith Duncan 47-yard field goal, 7:09. Iowa 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 3:11.
NU – Jesse Brown 1-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 1:25. Iowa 20–14. Drive: 14 plays, 79 yards, 5:44.
Third Quarter
NU – Jesse Brown 2-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 6:05. Northwestern 21–20. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:31.
Fourth Quarter
Top Passers
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 11/18, 130 yards, INT
IOWA – Spencer Petras – 26/50, 216 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top Rushers
NU – Isaiah Bowser – 25 rushes, 85 yards
IOWA – Tyler Goodson – 13 rushes, 43 yards, TD
Top Receivers
NU – Kyric McGowan – 5 receptions, 63 yards
IOWA – Ihmir Smith-Marsette – 7 receptions, 84 yards
Nebraska [ ]
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
Cornhuskers
0
13
0 0 13
Wildcats
7
0
7 7 21
at Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois
Date : November 7, 2020Game time : 11:00 a.m. CST Game attendance : 0TV : BTN
Game information
First Quarter
NU – Drake Anderson 41-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 8:29. Northwestern 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:43.
Second Quarter
NEB – Connor Culp 38-yard field goal, 11:29. Northwestern 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 56 yards, 5:33.
NEB – Connor Culp 36-yard field goal, 8:54. Northwestern 7–6. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 1:57.
NEB – Dedrick Mills 3-yard run (Connor Culp kick), 1:25. Nebraska 13–7. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:07.
Third Quarter
NU – John Raine 2-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 9:54. Northwestern 14–13. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:57.
Fourth Quarter
NU – Riley Lees 10-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 9:53. Northwestern 21–13. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 3:13.
Top Passers
NEB – Adrian Martinez – 12/27, 125 yards, INT
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 16/27, 169 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top Rushers
NEB – Adrian Martinez – 13 rushes, 102 yards
NU – Drake Anderson – 18 rushes, 89 yards, 1 TD
Top Receivers
NEB – Marcus Fleming – 5 receptions, 75 yards
NU – John Raine – 4 receptions, 33 yards, TD
at Purdue [ ]
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Purdue Boilermakers – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 23 Wildcats
7
10
7 3 27
Boilermakers
3
7
3 7 20
at Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana
Date : November 14, 2020Game time : 6:30 p.m. CST Game attendance : 886TV : BTN
Game information
First Quarter
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman 8-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 9:00. Northwestern 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:00.
PUR – J.D. Dellinger 30-yard field goal, 1:20. Northwestern 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 2:03.
Second Quarter
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 46-yard field goal, 12:07. Northwestern 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 4:13.
PUR – Garrett Miller 40-yard pass from Aidan O'Connell (J.D. Dellinger kick), 7:27. Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:19.
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman 18-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 3:06. Northwestern 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:21.
Third Quarter
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman 5-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 7:39. Northwestern 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:29.
PUR – J.D. Dellinger 23-yard field goal, 3:45. Northwestern 24–13. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 3:54.
Fourth Quarter
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 42-yard field goal, 12:34. Northwestern 27–13. Drive: 14 plays, 51 yards, 6:11.
PUR – Milton Wright 14-yard pass from Aidan O'Connell (J.D. Dellinger kick), 7:35. Northwestern 27–20. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 4:59.
Top Passers
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 23/36, 212 yards, 3 TD, INT
PUR – Aidan O'Connell – 28/51, 263 yards, 2 TD
Top Rushers
NU – Isaiah Bowser – 13 rushes, 27 yards
PUR – Zander Horvath – 10 rushes, 21 yards
Top Receivers
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman – 8 receptions, 86 yards, 3 TD
PUR – Zander Horvath – 9 receptions, 100 yards
Wisconsin [ ]
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 10 Badgers
7
0
0 0 7
No. 19 Wildcats
7
7
0 3 17
at Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois
Date : November 21, 2020Game time : 2:30 p.m. CST Game attendance : No in-person attendanceTV : ABC
Game information
First Quarter
NU – Charlie Mangieri 2-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 10:50. Northwestern 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:41.
WISC – Chimere Dike 49-yard pass from Graham Mertz (Collin Larsh kick), 5:14. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:09.
Second Quarter
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman 25-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 0:56. Northwestern 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 1:19.
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 32-yard field goal, 11:35. Northwestern 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 1:53.
Top Passers
WISC – Graham Mertz – 23/41, 230 yards, TD, 3 INT
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 23/44, 203 yards, 2 TD
Top Rushers
WISC – Jalen Berger – 15 rushes, 93 yards
NU – Drake Anderson – 8 rushes, 13 yards
Top Receivers
WISC – Jake Ferguson – 7 receptions, 58 yards
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman – 4 receptions, 95 yards, TD
I've been watching Northwestern play and honestly, they got a bunch of Rece Davises out there running around.
Joey Galloway , ESPN analyst
at Michigan State [ ]
See also: 2020 Michigan State Spartans football team
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 8 Wildcats
0
6
7 7 20
Spartans
10
7
0 12 29
at Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan
Date : November 28, 2020Game time : 2:30 p.m. CST Game attendance : 0TV : ESPN
Game information
First Quarter
MSU – Jalen Nailor 75-yard pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin kick), 10:34. Michigan State 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 81 yards, 0:41.
MSU – Matt Coghlin 22-yard field goal, 7:06. Michigan State 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:18.
Second Quarter
MSU – Jayden Reed 15-yard pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin kick), 14:55. Michigan State 17–0. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 5:44.
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 42-yard field goal, 11:02. Michigan State 17–3. Drive: 13 plays, 51 yards, 3:53.
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 32-yard field goal, 6:35. Michigan State 17–6. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 1:45.
Third Quarter
NU – Peyton Ramsey 1-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 10:39. Michigan State 17–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:21.
Fourth Quarter
NU – Cam Porter 3-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 13:54. Northwestern 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:34.
MSU – Matt Coghlin 44-yard field goal, 10:11. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 3:04.
MSU – Matt Coghlin 48-yard field goal, 3:35. Michigan State 23–20. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 2:47.
MSU – Kalon Gervin 0-yard fumble recovery, 0:00. Michigan State 29–20.
Top Passers
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 21/43, 210 yards, 2 INT
MSU – Rocky Lombardi – 11/27, 167 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top Rushers
NU – Drake Anderson – 10 rushes, 41 yards
MSU – Connor Heyward – 24 rushes, 96 yards
Top Receivers
NU – Riley Lees – 4 receptions, 59 yards
MSU – Jalen Nailor – 3 receptions, 99 yards, TD
at Minnesota (Cancelled) [ ]
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 14 Wildcats
0
0
0 0 0
Golden Gophers
0
0
0 0 0
at TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 5, 2020 Game time : 11:00 a.m. CST TV : BTN/FS1
Illinois [ ]
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
Fighting Illini
3
0
0 7 10
No. 14 Wildcats
0
14
14 0 28
at Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois
Date : December 12, 2020Game time : 11:00 a.m. CST TV : ESPN2
Game information
First Quarter
ILL – James McCourt 39-yard field goal, 1:49. Illinois 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 59 yards, 7:29.
Second Quarter
NU – Charlie Mangieri 2-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 14:56. Northwestern 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:53.
NU – Cam Porter 2-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 0:24. Northwestern 14–3. Drive: 17 plays, 64 yards, 7:02.
Third Quarter
NU – Cam Porter 18-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 10:53. Northwestern 21–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:07.
NU – Evan Hull 32-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 4:02. Northwestern 28–3. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 6:04.
Fourth Quarter
ILL – Brian Hightower 46-yard pass from Isaiah Williams (James McCourt kick), 8:47. Northwestern 28–10. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 1:38.
Top Passers
ILL – Isaiah Williams – 4/8, 86 yards, TD
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 7/12, 82 yards, TD
Top Rushers
ILL – Chase Brown – 14 rushes, 70 yards
NU – Evan Hull – 13 rushes, 149 yards, TD
Top Receivers
ILL – Brian Hightower – 2 receptions, 60 yards, TD
NU – Kyric McGowan – 4 receptions, 72 yards
vs. Ohio State [ ]
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Championship Game) – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 14 Wildcats
7
3
0 0 10
No. 4 Buckeyes
3
3
7 9 22
at Lucas Oil Stadium • Indianapolis, IN
Date : December 19, 2020Game time : 11:18 a.m. CST Game weather : Overcast (game played indoors )Game attendance : 3,178Referee : Mark KluczynskiTV announcers (FOX ) : Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), and Jenny Taft (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
OSU – Blake Haubeil 41-yard field goal, 6:34. Ohio State 3–0. Drive: 16 plays, 51 yards, 8:26.
NU – Cam Porter 9-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 4:02. Northwestern 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:32.
Second Quarter
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 47-yard field goal, 8:46. Northwestern 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 65 yards, 6:00.
OSU – Blake Haubeil 43-yard field goal, 5:23. Northwestern 10–6. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:23.
Third Quarter
OSU – Trey Sermon 9-yard run (Blake Haubeil kick), 2:41. Ohio State 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 2:23.
Fourth Quarter
OSU – Blake Haubeil 26-yard field goal, 12:07. Ohio State 16–10. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 2:19.
OSU – Trey Sermon 3-yard run (pass failed), 4:03. Ohio State 22–10. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:46.
Top Passers
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 24/37, 224 yards, 2 INT
OSU – Justin Fields – 12/27, 114 yards, 2 INT
Top Rushers
NU – Cam Porter – 16 rushes, 61 yards, TD
OSU – Trey Sermon – 29 rushes, 331 yards, 2 TD
Top Receivers
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman – 8 receptions, 103 yards
OSU – Julian Fleming – 4 receptions, 53 yards
vs. Auburn [ ]
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Auburn Tigers (Citrus Bowl) – Game summary
1
2
3 4 Total
Auburn
0
6
7 6 19
No. 14 Wildcats
14
0
7 14 35
at Camping World Stadium • Orlando, FL
Date : January 1st, 2021Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST Game weather : Mostly SunnyGame attendance : 13,039Referee : Jerry MagallanesTV announcers (ABC ) : Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), Paul Carcaterra (sideline reporter)
Game information
First Quarter
NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman 35-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 11:32. Northwestern 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:28.
NU – John Raine 6-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 3:14. Northwestern 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 4:21.
Second Quarter
AUB – Anders Carlson 50-yard field goal, 6:03. Northwestern 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 20 yards, 2:36.
AUB – Anders Carlson 27-yard field goal, 0:17. Northwestern 14–6. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 3:45.
Third Quarter
AUB – Elijah Canion 57-yard pass from Bo Nix (Anders Carlson kick), 8:32. Northwestern 14–13. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:10.
NU – Peyton Ramsey 30-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 1:34. Northwestern 21–13. Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 2:10.
Fourth Quarter
NU – Cam Porter 1-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 12:13. Northwestern 28–13. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:16.
NU – Riley Lees 8-yard pass from Peyton Ramsey (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 7:49. Northwestern 35–13. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 3:35.
AUB – D.J. Williams 2-yard run (pass failed), 4:41. Northwestern 35–19. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:08.
Top Passers
AUB – Bo Nix – 25/42, 292 yards, TD
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 24/35, 291 yards, 3 TD
Top Rushers
AUB – Bo Nix − 10 rushes, 32 yards
NU – Cam Porter – 33 rushes, 98 yards, TD
Top Receivers
AUB – Elijah Canion – 3 receptions, 80 yards, TD
NU – John Raine – 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
Players drafted into the NFL [ ]
Undrafted players [ ]
Player
Position
NFL Club
Blake Gallagher
LB
Baltimore Ravens
Riley Lees
WR
Cincinnati Bengals
Gunnar Vogel
OT
Chicago Bears
J.R. Pace
CB
Atlanta Falcons
John Raine
TE
Atlanta Falcons
Paddy Fisher
LB
Carolina Panthers
Source: [6]
References [ ]
^ Stevens, Matthew. "Big Ten To Play A "Championship Weekend" 9th Game Of 2020 Season" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved September 17, 2020 .
^ "Big Ten Statement on 2020-21 Fall Season" . bigten.org . August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
^ "The Big Ten Conference Adopts Stringent Medical Protocols; Football Season to Resume October 23-24, 2020" . bigten.org . September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020 .
^ Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow" . USA TODAY . Retrieved 10 July 2020 .
^ "2020 Northwestern Football Schedule" . FBSchedules.com . Retrieved February 29, 2020 .
^ Bible, The NFL Draft. "2021 NFL Draft undrafted free agent tracker: Rookie UDFA signings from all 32 teams" . The NFL Draft Bible on Sports Illustrated: The Leading Authority on the NFL Draft . Retrieved 2021-05-27 .
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