Northwestern Wildcats football statistical leaders

The Northwestern Wildcats football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Northwestern Wildcats football program in various categories,^[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Wildcats represent Northwestern University in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.

Although Northwestern began competing in intercollegiate football in 1876 (148 years ago) (1876),^[1] records from before the 1950s are often incomplete and inconsistent, so players from then may not make it onto these lists.

These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

Since the 1950s, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers.
Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.^[2] The Wildcats have played in 10 bowl games since the decision, allowing many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.

These lists are updated through the end of the 2017 season.

Passing

Passing yards

Career
Rank	Player	Yards	Years
1	Clayton Thorson	10,731^[3]	2015 2016 2017 2018
2	Brett Basanez	10,580	2002 2003 2004 2005
3	Len Williams	7,487	1990 1991 1992 1993
4	C. J. Bachér	7,319	2005 2006 2007 2008
5	Trevor Siemian	5,931	2011 2012 2013 2014
6	Zak Kustok	5,822	1999 2000 2001
7	Mike Greenfield	5,803	1984 1985 1986 1987
8	Sandy Schwab	5,679	1982 1983 1984 1985
9	Steve Schnur	5,612	1993 1994 1995 1996
10	Dan Persa	5,181	2009 2010 2011

Single season
Rank	Player	Yards	Year
1	C. J. Bachér	3,656	2007
2	Brett Basanez	3,622	2005
3	Mike Kafka	3,430	2009
4	Clayton Thorson	3,183^[3]	2018
5	Clayton Thorson	3,182^[3]	2016
6	Clayton Thorson	2,844^[3]	2017
7	Brett Basanez	2,838	2004
8	Sandy Schwab	2,735	1982
9	Zak Kustok	2,692	2001
10	Steve Schnur	2,632	1996

Single game
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Mike Kafka	532^[4]	2009	Auburn (Outback Bowl)
2	C. J. Bachér	520^[5]	2007	Michigan State
3	Brett Basanez	513^[6]	2004	TCU
4	C. J. Bachér	470^[7]	2007	Minnesota
5	Brett Basanez	463^[8]	2005	Purdue
6	Clayton Thorson	455^[9]	2018	Nebraska
7	Mike Greenfield	446	1985	Northern Illinois
8	Sandy Schwab	436	1982	Michigan
9	Ryan Hilinski	435^[10]	2022	Duke
10	Zak Kustok	421	2001	Bowling Green

Passing touchdowns

Career
Rank	Player	TDs	Years
1	Clayton Thorson	61^[3]	2015 2016 2017 2018
2	Len Williams	44	1990 1991 1992 1993
	Brett Basanez	44	2002 2003 2004 2005
4	C. J. Bachér	43	2005 2006 2007 2008
5	Zak Kustok	42	1999 2000 2001
6	Dan Persa	34	2009 2010 2011
7	Steve Schnur	32	1993 1994 1995 1996
8	Mitch Anderson	28	1972 1973 1974
9	Trevor Siemian	27	2011 2012 2013 2014
10	Maurie Daigneau	23	1969 1970 1971

Single season
Rank	Player	TDs	Year
1	Clayton Thorson	22^[3]	2016
2	Brett Basanez	21	2005
3	Zak Kustok	20	2001
4	Zak Kustok	19	2000
	C. J. Bachér	19	2007
	C. J. Bachér	19	2008
7	Steve Schnur	17	1996
	Dan Persa	17	2011
	Clayton Thorson	17	2018
10	Mike Kafka	16	2009

Single game
Rank	Player	TDs	Year	Opponent
1	Mitch Anderson	5	1973	Minnesota
	C. J. Bachér	5^[5]	2007	Michigan State

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career
Rank	Player	Yards	Years
1	Justin Jackson	5,440^[11]	2014 2015 2016 2017
2	Damien Anderson	4,485	1998 1999 2000 2001
3	Tyrell Sutton	3,886	2005 2006 2007 2008
4	Darnell Autry	3,793	1994 1995 1996
5	Bob Christian	2,643	1987 1988 1989 1990
6	Jason Wright	2,625	2000 2001 2002 2003
7	Noah Herron	2,524	2001 2002 2003 2004
8	Greg Boykin	2,465	1972 1973 1975 1976
9	Evan Hull	2,417^[12]	2019 2020 2021 2022
10	Kain Colter	2,180	2010 2011 2012 2013

Single season
Rank	Player	Yards	Year
1	Damien Anderson	2,063	2000
2	Darnell Autry	1,785	1995
3	Justin Jackson	1,524^[11]	2016
4	Tyrell Sutton	1,474	2005
5	Darnell Autry	1,452	1996
6	Justin Jackson	1,418^[11]	2015
7	Jason Wright	1,388	2003
8	Noah Herron	1,381	2004
9	Venric Mark	1,366	2012
10	Justin Jackson	1,311^[11]	2017

Single game
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Mike Adamle	316	1969	Wisconsin
2	Byron Sanders	295	1987	Minnesota
3	Damien Anderson	292	2000	Indiana
4	Damien Anderson	268	2000	Michigan
5	Jason Wright	251^[13]	2003	Illinois
6	Tyrell Sutton	244^[14]	2005	Wisconsin
7	Darnell Autry	240	1996	Iowa
8	Jason Wright	237^[15]	2003	Bowling Green (Motor City Bowl)
9	Damien Anderson	230	2000	Minnesota
10	Darnell Autry	226	1995	Purdue

Rushing touchdowns

Career
Rank	Player	TDs	Years
1	Justin Jackson	41^[11]	2014 2015 2016 2017
2	Damien Anderson	38	1998 1999 2000 2001
3	Darnell Autry	35	1994 1995 1996
4	Jason Wright	32	2000 2001 2002 2003
5	Tyrell Sutton	31	2005 2006 2007 2008
6	Kain Colter	28	2010 2011 2012 2013
7	Clayton Thorson	27	2015 2016 2017 2018
8	Noah Herron	26	2001 2002 2003 2004
9	Zak Kustok	22	1999 2000 2001
10	Ron Burton	21	1957 1958 1959

Single season
Rank	Player	TDs	Year
1	Damien Anderson	23	2000
2	Jason Wright	20	2003
3	Darnell Autry	17	1995
	Darnell Autry	17	1996
5	Tyrell Sutton	16	2005
6	Justin Jackson	15^[11]	2016
7	Noah Herron	14	2004
8	Ron Burton	12	1958
	Jason Wright	12	2002
	Venric Mark	12	2012
	Kain Colter	12	2012

Single game
Rank	Player	TDs	Year	Opponent
1	Mike Adamle	4	1970	Minnesota
	Darnell Autry	4	1996	Iowa
	Damien Anderson	4	2000	Illinois
	Damien Anderson	4	2000	Indiana
	Damien Anderson	4	2001	Duke
	Jason Wright	4	2002	Indiana
	Jason Wright	4^[16]	2003	Kansas
	Jason Wright	4^[17]	2003	Indiana
	Jason Wright	4^[13]	2003	Illinois
	Tyrell Sutton	4^[18]	2005	Northern Illinois
	Kain Colter	4^[19]	2012	Indiana

Receiving

Receptions

Career
Rank	Player	Rec	Years
1	D'Wayne Bates	210	1995 1996 1997 1998
2	Richard Buchanan	197	1987 1988 1989 1990
3	Jeremy Ebert	173	2008 2009 2010 2011
4	Kunle Patrick	171	2000 2001 2002 2003
5	Shaun Herbert	168	2003 2004 2005 2006
6	Ross Lane	163	2005 2006 2007 2008
7	Mark Philmore	163	2002 2003 2004 2005
8	Eric Peterman	160	2005 2006 2007 2008
9	Lee Gissendaner	156	1990 1991 1992 1993
10	Tyrell Sutton	154	2005 2006 2007 2008

Single season
Rank	Player	Rec	Year
1	Richard Buchanan	94	1989
2	Zeke Markshausen	91	2009
3	Austin Carr	90	2016
4	Ricky Edwards	83	1983
	D'Wayne Bates	83	1998
6	Shaun Herbert	79	2005
7	D'Wayne Bates	75	1996
	Jeremy Ebert	75	2011
9	Lee Gissendaner	68	1992
10	Eric Peterman	66	2007

Single game
Rank	Player	Rec	Year	Opponent
1	Jon Harvey	17	1982	Michigan
2	Zeke Markshausen	16^[20]	2009	Michigan State
3	Todd Jenkins	15	1982	Purdue
4	Richard Buchanan	14	1989	Minnesota
	Evan Hull	14^[10]	2022	Duke
6	Don Stonesifer	13	1950	Minnesota
	Sam Poulos	13	1979	Illinois
	Richard Buchanan	13	1989	Duke
	Lee Gissendaner	13	1993	Minnesota
	Jeremy Ebert	13^[21]	2011	Iowa
	Christian Jones	13^[22]	2013	Illinois
	Austin Carr	13	2016	Wisconsin

Receiving yards

Career
Rank	Player	Yards	Years
1	D'Wayne Bates	3,370	1995 1996 1997 1998
2	Richard Buchanan	2,474	1987 1988 1989 1990
3	Jeremy Ebert	2,400	2008 2009 2010 2011
4	Ross Lane	2,068	2005 2006 2007 2008
5	Eric Peterman	2,011	2005 2006 2007 2008
6	Shaun Herbert	1,926	2003 2004 2005 2006
7	Lee Gissendaner	1,878	1990 1991 1992 1993
8	Kunle Patrick	1,873	2000 2001 2002 2003
9	Mark Philmore	1,768	2002 2003 2004 2005
10	Scott Yelvington	1,762	1973 1974 1975 1976

Single season
Rank	Player	Yards	Year
1	Austin Carr	1,247	2016
2	D'Wayne Bates	1,245	1998
3	D'Wayne Bates	1,196	1996
4	Richard Buchanan	1,115	1989
5	Jeremy Ebert	953	2010
6	Andrew Brewer	925	2009
7	D'Wayne Bates	889	1995
8	Brian Musso	865	1997
9	Shaun Herbert	862	2005
10	Zeke Markshausen	858	2009

Single game
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Jim Lash	226	1972	Michigan State
	Todd Sheets	226	1980	Purdue
3	Bryce Kirtz	215^[23]	2023	Minnesota
4	Evan Hull	213^[10]	2022	Duke
5	Jon Harvey	208	1982	Michigan
	Jeremy Ebert	208^[24]	2011	Rice
7	Jonathan Fields	202^[6]	2004	TCU
8	Todd Jenkins	189	1982	Purdue
9	Tony Jones	185^[25]	2013	Syracuse
10	Brian Musso	183	1997	Duke

Receiving touchdowns

Career
Rank	Player	TDs	Years
1	D'Wayne Bates	26	1995 1996 1997 1998
2	Richard Buchanan	22	1987 1988 1989 1990
3	Jeremy Ebert	21	2008 2009 2010 2011
4	Sam Simmons	14	1998 1999 2000 2001
	Steve Bogan	14	1978 1979 1981
	Drake Dunsmore	14	2007 2009 2010 2011
	Austin Carr	14	2015 2016
8	Joe Collier	13	1951 1952 1953
	Lee Gissendaner	13	1990 1991 1992 1993
	Ross Lane	13	2005 2006 2007 2008

Single season
Rank	Player	TDs	Year
1	D'Wayne Bates	12	1996
	Austin Carr	12	2016
3	Jeremy Ebert	11	2011
4	Richard Buchanan	9	1989
	D'Wayne Bates	9	1998
	Andrew Brewer	9	2009
7	Joe Collier	8	1952
	Brian Musso	8	1997
	Jeremy Ebert	8	2010
10	Richard Buchanan	7	1990
	Teddy Johnson	7	2000
	Sam Simmons	7	2001
	Ross Lane	7	2007

Single game
Rank	Player	TDs	Year	Opponent
1	Drake Dunsmore	4^[26]	2011	Indiana

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.^[27]

Total offense yards

Career
Rank	Player	Yards	Years
1	Brett Basanez	11,576	2002 2003 2004 2005
2	Clayton Thorson	11,139^[3]	2015 2016 2017 2018
3	Len Williams	8,029	1990 1991 1992 1993
4	C. J. Bachér	7,571	2005 2006 2007 2008
5	Zak Kustok	7,116	1999 2000 2001
6	Mike Greenfield	6,707	1984 1985 1986 1987
7	Trevor Siemian	5,908	2011 2012 2013 2014
8	Dan Persa	5,897	2009 2010 2011
9	Steve Schnur	5,542	1993 1994 1995 1996
10	Justin Jackson	5,464^[11]	2014 2015 2016 2017

Single season
Rank	Player	Yards	Year
1	Brett Basanez	4,045	2005
2	Mike Kafka	3,725	2009
3	C. J. Bachér	3,687	2007
4	Clayton Thorson	3,280^[3]	2016
5	Zak Kustok	3,272	2001
6	Dan Persa	3,100	2010
7	Clayton Thorson	3,073^[3]	2018
8	Brett Basanez	3,096	2004
9	Zak Kustok	2,894	2000
10	Clayton Thorson	2,867^[3]	2017

Single game
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Mike Kafka	566^[4]	2009	Auburn (Outback Bowl)
2	Brett Basanez	548^[6]	2004	TCU
3	Zak Kustok	532	2001	Bowling Green
4	C. J. Bachér	525^[5]	2007	Michigan State
5	Brett Basanez	506^[8]	2005	Purdue
6	C. J. Bachér	491^[7]	2007	Minnesota
7	Brett Basanez	448^[28]	2005	UCLA (Sun Bowl)
	Clayton Thorson	448^[9]	2018	Nebraska
9	Mike Greenfield	446	1985	Northern Illinois
10	Trevor Siemian	433^[22]	2013	Illinois

Total touchdowns

Career
Rank	Player	TDs	Years
1	Clayton Thorson	88^[3]	2015 2016 2017 2018
2	Zak Kustok	64	1999 2000 2001
3	Brett Basanez	62	2002 2003 2004 2005
4	Len Williams	55	1990 1991 1992 1993
5	C. J. Bachér	51	2005 2006 2007 2008
6	Kain Colter	46	2010 2011 2012 2013
7	Dan Persa	44	2009 2010 2011
8	Justin Jackson	42^[11]	2014 2015 2016 2017
9	Steve Schnur	38	1993 1994 1995 1996
	Damien Anderson	38	1998 1999 2000 2001

Single season
Rank	Player	TDs	Year
1	Zak Kustok	31	2001
2	Zak Kustok	28	2000
3	Brett Basanez	28	2005
4	Clayton Thorson	27	2016
5	Clayton Thorson	26	2018
6	Mike Kafka	24	2009
	Dan Persa	24	2010
8	Damien Anderson	23	2000
	C. J. Bachér	23	2007
	Clayton Thorson	23^[3]	2017

Defense

Interceptions

Career
Rank	Player	Ints	Years
1	Brett Whitley	15	1984 1985 1986 1987
2	Tom Worthington	14	1946 1947 1948 1949
3	Malcolm Hunter	11	1974 1975 1976 1977
	Brian Peters	11	2008 2009 2010 2011
5	Eric Hutchinson	10	1969 1970 1971
	Harold Blackmon	10	1997 1998 1999 2000
	Ibraheim Campbell	10	2011 2012 2013 2014
8	Willie Lindsey	9	1989 1990 1991 1992
	Sherrick McManis	9	2006 2007 2008 2009
	Brandon Joseph	9^[29]	2019 2020 2021

Single season
Rank	Player	Ints	Year
1	Brett Whitley	7	1987
	Willie Lindsey	7	1991
3	Tom Worthington	6	1947
	Eric Hutchinson	6	1970
	Brandon Joseph	6^[29]	2020

Tackles

Career
Rank	Player	Tackles	Years
1	Tim McGarigle	545	2002 2003 2004 2005
2	Chuck Kern	503	1977 1978 1979 1980
3	Barry Gardner	468	1995 1996 1997 1998
4	Ed Sutter	429	1988 1989 1990 1991
5	William Bennett	418	1992 1993 1994 1995
6	Paddy Fisher	401^[30]	2017 2018 2019 2020
7	Kevin Bentley	390	1998 1999 2000 2001
8	Chris Bergin	354^[31]	2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
9	Paul Maly	343	1973 1975 1976 1977
10	Eric Collier	342	1994 1995 1996 1997

Single season
Rank	Player	Tackles	Year
1	Chuck Kern	227	1979
2	Chuck Kern	218	1978
3	John Voorhees	192	1971
4	Barry Gardner	175	1998
5	Barry Gardner	174	1997
6	Ed Sutter	161	1990
7	Tim McGarigle	156	2005
8	Tim McGarigle	151	2004
9	Kevin Bentley	148	1999
10	Kevin Bentley	147	2001

Single game
Rank	Player	Tackles	Year	Opponent
1	Chuck Kern	31	1979	Purdue

Sacks

Career
Rank	Player	Sacks	Years
1	Joe Gaziano	30.0^[32]	2016 2017 2018 2019
2	Casey Dailey	28.0	1994 1995 1996 1997
3	Ifeadi Odenigbo	23.5	2013 2014 2015 2016
4	Steve Shine	21.0	1990 1991 1992 1993
5	Corey Wootton	19.5	2006 2007 2008 2009
6	Vince Browne	19.0	2008 2009 2010 2011
7	Dwayne Missouri	17.0	1997 1998 1999 2000
8	Tyler Scott	16.0	2010 2011 2012
9	Deonte Gibson	15.0	2012 2013 2014 2015
10	Adetomiwa Adebawore	12.5^[33]	2019 2020 2021 2022

Single season
Rank	Player	Sacks	Year
1	Casey Dailey	12.0	1997

Single game
Rank	Player	Sacks	Year	Opponent
1	Ifeadi Odenigbo	4.0	2016	Iowa

Kicking

Field goals made

Career
Rank	Player	FGs	Years
1	Brian Gowins	58	1995 1996 1997 1998
2	Jeff Budzien	48	2010 2011 2012 2013
3	John Duvic	46	1983 1984 1985 1986
4	Charlie Kuhbander	43^[34]	2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
5	Jack Mitchell	40	2013 2014 2015 2016
6	Ira Adler	39	1987 1988 1989 1990
	Sam Valenzisi	39	1992 1993 1994 1995
8	Stefan Demos	34	2007 2008 2009 2010
9	Amado Villarreal	33	2005 2006 2007 2008
10	Tim Long	25	1998 1999 2000

Single season
Rank	Player	FGs	Year
1	Jeff Budzien	23	2013
2	Brian Gowins	20	1997
	Amado Villarreal	20	2008
4	Jeff Budzien	19	2012
	John Duvic	19	1986
6	Stefan Demos	18	2009
	Jack Mitchell	18^[35]	2015
8	Brian Gowins	17	1998
9	Brian Gowins	16	1996
	Stefan Demos	16	2010

Single game
Rank	Player	FGs	Year	Opponent
1	Jeff Howells	5^[36]	2005	Penn State
	Jeff Budzien	5^[37]	2012	Boston College
3	Sam Valenzisi	4	1993	Minnesota
	Sam Valenzisi	4	1995	Michigan
	Brian Gowins	4	1998	Hawaii
	Tim Long	4	2000	Michigan
	Stefan Demos	4^[38]	2009	Purdue
	Stefan Demos	4^[39]	2009	Wisconsin
	Jeff Budzien	4^[40]	2013	Michigan
	Jack Mitchell	4^[41]	2014	Notre Dame
	Jack Olsen	4^[42]	2023	Maryland

Field goal percentage

Career
Rank	Player	FG%	Years
1	Jeff Budzien	87.3%	2010 2011 2012 2013
2	Amado Villarreal	75.0%	2005 2006 2007 2008
3	Sam Valenzisi	73.6%	1992 1993 1994 1995
4	Ira Adler	72.2%	1987 1988 1989 1990
5	Tim Long	71.4%	1998 1999 2000

Single season
Rank	Player	FG%	Year
1	Jeff Budzien	95.0%	2012
2	Sam Valenzisi	93.8%	1995
3	Jeff Budzien	92.0%	2013
4	John Duvic	82.6%	1986
5	Charlie Kuhbander	81.3%^[34]	2017
6	Amado Villarreal	80.0%	2008

References

^ ^a ^b "2017 Northwestern Wildcats Media Guide" (PDF). NUSports.com. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l "Clayton Thorson". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Auburn's field goal in OT holds up as Northwestern's trick play fails". ESPN.com. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Northwestern 48, Michigan St. 41, OT". ESPN.com. October 6, 2007. Archived from the original on August 25, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Frogs miss first FG, hit second in OT; Wildcats miss both". ESPN.com. September 3, 2004.^{[dead link]}
^ ^a ^b "Northwestern 49, Minnesota 48, OT". ESPN.com. October 13, 2007. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Northwestern hands Purdue fourth straight loss". ESPN.com. October 25, 2005.^{[dead link]}
^ ^a ^b "Nebraska sees 10-point lead slip away in OT loss to Northwestern". ESPN.com. October 13, 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Duke vs. Northwestern Box Score". ESPN.com. September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Justin Jackson". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
^ "Evan Hull". ESPN.com.
^ ^a ^b "Northwestern 37, Illinois 20". ESPN.com. November 22, 2003. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016.
^ "Northwestern scores on seven straight possessions". ESPN.com. October 8, 2005.
^ "Harris throws 3 second-half TDs". ESPN.com. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.
^ "Northwestern 28, Kansas 20". ESPN.com. August 30, 2003. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
^ "Northwestern 37, Indiana 31 (OT)". ESPN.com. October 11, 2003. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016.
^ "Northwestern 38, Northern Illinois 37". ESPN.com. September 10, 2005.
^ "Northwestern sets school record for total yards in beating Indiana". ESPN.com. September 30, 2012.
^ "Ringer, Michigan State run down Northwestern". ESPN.com. October 11, 2008. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.
^ "Iowa snaps three-game losing streak against Northwestern". ESPN.com. October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Northwestern closes with 37-34 win over Illinois". ESPN.com. November 30, 2013.
^ "Minnesota vs. Northwestern Box Score". ESPN.com. September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
^ "Northwestern's Dan Persa, Jeremy Ebert light up Rice with career bests". ESPN.com. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.
^ "Trevor Siemian, No. 19 Northwestern cruise past Syracuse". ESPN.com. September 8, 2013.
^ "Northwestern romps as Indiana gives up more than 40 points for 4th straight game". ESPN.com. October 29, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.
^ "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
^ "Olson, UCLA outscore Northwestern in Sun Bowl shootout". ESPN.com. December 31, 2005. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Brandon Joseph". ESPN.com.
^ "Paddy Fisher". ESPN.com.
^ "Chris Bergin". ESPN.com.
^ "Joe Gaziano". ESPN.com.
^ "Adetomiwa Adebawore". ESPN.com.
^ ^a ^b "Charlie Kuhbander". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
^ "Jack Mitchell". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
^ "Nittany Lions snap two-game skid vs. Northwestern". ESPN.com. September 24, 2005.^{[dead link]}
^ "Mike Trumpy's late score pushes Northwestern past BC". ESPN.com. September 15, 2012.
^ "Northwestern thwarts last-second TD for victory". ESPN.com. October 3, 2009. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013.
^ "Northwestern holds off Wisconsin en route to 3rd win in row". ESPN.com. November 21, 2009. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013.
^ "Michigan finishes Northwestern in 3OT after late tie". ESPN.com. November 16, 2013.
^ "Northwestern FGs tie it up late, beat Notre Dame in overtime". ESPN.com. November 15, 2014.
^ "Maryland vs. Northwestern Box Score". ESPN.com. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

[MG-1] "2017 Northwestern Wildcats Media Guide" (PDF). NUSports.com. Retrieved November 7, 2015.

[2] "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2014.

[CTESPN-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l "Clayton Thorson". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.

[10OB-4] "Auburn's field goal in OT holds up as Northwestern's trick play fails". ESPN.com. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.

[07MIS-5] "Northwestern 48, Michigan St. 41, OT". ESPN.com. October 6, 2007. Archived from the original on August 25, 2014.

[04TCU-6] "Frogs miss first FG, hit second in OT; Wildcats miss both". ESPN.com. September 3, 2004.^{[dead link]}

[07MN-7] "Northwestern 49, Minnesota 48, OT". ESPN.com. October 13, 2007. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.

[05PUR-8] "Northwestern hands Purdue fourth straight loss". ESPN.com. October 25, 2005.^{[dead link]}

[18NEB-9] "Nebraska sees 10-point lead slip away in OT loss to Northwestern". ESPN.com. October 13, 2018.

[22DUKE-10] "Duke vs. Northwestern Box Score". ESPN.com. September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.

[JJESPN-11] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Justin Jackson". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.

[EHESPN-12] "Evan Hull". ESPN.com.

[03IL-13] "Northwestern 37, Illinois 20". ESPN.com. November 22, 2003. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016.

[05WI-14] "Northwestern scores on seven straight possessions". ESPN.com. October 8, 2005.

[03BG-15] "Harris throws 3 second-half TDs". ESPN.com. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.

[03KS-16] "Northwestern 28, Kansas 20". ESPN.com. August 30, 2003. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.

[03IN-17] "Northwestern 37, Indiana 31 (OT)". ESPN.com. October 11, 2003. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016.

[05NIL-18] "Northwestern 38, Northern Illinois 37". ESPN.com. September 10, 2005.

[12IN-19] "Northwestern sets school record for total yards in beating Indiana". ESPN.com. September 30, 2012.

[08MIS-20] "Ringer, Michigan State run down Northwestern". ESPN.com. October 11, 2008. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.

[11IA-21] "Iowa snaps three-game losing streak against Northwestern". ESPN.com. October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.

[13IL-22] "Northwestern closes with 37-34 win over Illinois". ESPN.com. November 30, 2013.

[23MINN-23] "Minnesota vs. Northwestern Box Score". ESPN.com. September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.

[11RICE-24] "Northwestern's Dan Persa, Jeremy Ebert light up Rice with career bests". ESPN.com. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.

[13SYR-25] "Trevor Siemian, No. 19 Northwestern cruise past Syracuse". ESPN.com. September 8, 2013.

[11IN-26] "Northwestern romps as Indiana gives up more than 40 points for 4th straight game". ESPN.com. October 29, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.

[27] "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2008.

[05SB-28] "Olson, UCLA outscore Northwestern in Sun Bowl shootout". ESPN.com. December 31, 2005. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.

[BJESPN-29] "Brandon Joseph". ESPN.com.

[PFESPN-30] "Paddy Fisher". ESPN.com.

[CBESPN-31] "Chris Bergin". ESPN.com.

[JGESPN-32] "Joe Gaziano". ESPN.com.

[AAESPN-33] "Adetomiwa Adebawore". ESPN.com.

[CKESPN-34] "Charlie Kuhbander". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.

[JMESPN-35] "Jack Mitchell". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 2, 2016.

[05PST-36] "Nittany Lions snap two-game skid vs. Northwestern". ESPN.com. September 24, 2005.^{[dead link]}

[12BC-37] "Mike Trumpy's late score pushes Northwestern past BC". ESPN.com. September 15, 2012.

[09PUR-38] "Northwestern thwarts last-second TD for victory". ESPN.com. October 3, 2009. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013.

[09WI-39] "Northwestern holds off Wisconsin en route to 3rd win in row". ESPN.com. November 21, 2009. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013.

[13MI-40] "Michigan finishes Northwestern in 3OT after late tie". ESPN.com. November 16, 2013.

[14ND-41] "Northwestern FGs tie it up late, beat Notre Dame in overtime". ESPN.com. November 15, 2014.

[23MD-42] "Maryland vs. Northwestern Box Score". ESPN.com. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

[1]

v t e Northwestern Wildcats football
Venues	Northwestern Field (1905–1925) Ryan Field (1926–2023) Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium (2024–2025)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Illinois Michigan: George Jewett Trophy Notre Dame
Culture and lore	Willie the Wildcat "Go U Northwestern" Marching band 2006 Michigan State game
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1876 1877–1881 1882 1883–1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906–1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024