2020 Northwestern Wildcats football team

2020 Northwestern Wildcats football
2020 Northwestern Wildcats football
Big Ten West Division champion; Citrus Bowl champion
Big Ten Championship Game, ; L 10–22 vs. Ohio State
Citrus Bowl, W 35–19 vs. Auburn
Conference	Big Ten Conference
	West Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 10
AP	No. 10
Record	7–2 (6–1 Big Ten)
Head coach	Pat Fitzgerald (15th season);
Offensive coordinator	Mike Bajakian (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Mike Hankwitz (13th season)
Base defense	Multiple 4–3
Home stadium	Ryan Field
Uniform
	Seasons ← 2019 2021 →

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.

2020 Big Ten Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
East Division
No. 2 Ohio State xy$^	5	–	0	7	–	1
No. 12 Indiana	6	–	1	6	–	2
Penn State	4	–	5	4	–	5
Maryland	2	–	3	2	–	3
Rutgers	3	–	6	3	–	6
Michigan	2	–	4	2	–	4
Michigan State	2	–	5	2	–	5
West Division
No. 10 Northwestern xy	6	–	1	7	–	2
No. 16 Iowa	6	–	2	6	–	2
Wisconsin	3	–	3	4	–	3
Minnesota	3	–	4	3	–	4
Nebraska	3	–	5	3	–	5
Purdue	2	–	4	2	–	4
Illinois	2	–	6	2	–	6
Championship: Ohio State 22, Northwestern 10
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Note: Due to COVID-19, the Big Ten suspended the season on August 11, but later decided to begin play on October 24. In addition to the title game that was played on December 19, the conference seeded all remaining teams for "championship week" games.^[1] Rankings from AP Poll.

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]

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		Ryan Field Evanston, IL	BTN	W 43–3	0
October 31	2:30 p.m.	at Iowa		Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA	ESPN	W 21–20	1,432
November 7	11:00 a.m.	Nebraska		Ryan Field Evanston, IL	BTN	W 21–13	0
November 14	6:30 p.m.	at Purdue	No. 23	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN	BTN	W 27–20	886
November 21	2:30 p.m.	No. 10 Wisconsin	No. 19	Ryan Field Evanston, IL	ABC	W 17–7	0
November 28	2:30 p.m.	at Michigan State	No. 8	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	ESPN	L 20–29	0
December 5	11:00 a.m.	Minnesota		TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN	BTN/FS1	No Contest
December 12	11:00 a.m.	Illinois	No. 14	Ryan Field Evanston, IL	ESPN2	W 28–10	0
December 19	11:00 a.m.	vs. No. 4 Ohio State	No. 14	Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Championship Game)	FOX	L 10–22	3,178
January 1, 2021	12:00 p.m.	vs. Auburn*	No. 14	Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl)	ABC	W 35–19	13,039
*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 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	15	16	Final
AP	RV	none	—	—	—	—	—	—	RV	RV	23	19	11	16	15	15		10
Coaches	—	none	—	—	—	—	—	—	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

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
Game attendance: 0
TV: 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

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), Clear and Sunny, Wind 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h)
Game attendance: 1,432
Referee: Larry Smith
TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky and Allison Williams

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

No scoring plays.

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

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny, 66 °F (19 °C)
Game attendance: 0
Referee: Jerry McGinn
TV announcers (BTN): Cory Provus (play-by-play), Jeremy Leman (analyst), Olivia Harlan (sideline)

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

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), Overcast, SE 10 mph (16 km/h)
Game attendance: 886
Referee: Jeff Servinski
TV announcers (BTN): Cory Provus (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (analyst), Olivia Dekker (sideline)

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

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
Game attendance: No in-person attendance
TV: 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

No scoring plays.

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

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans – Game summary

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny, light clouds • Temperature: 45 °F (7 °C) • Wind: SW 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)
Game attendance: 0
Referee: M. Kluczynski
TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman

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

Period	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

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
Game attendance: 0
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

Period	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, 2020
Game time: 11:18 a.m. CST
Game weather: Overcast (game played indoors)
Game attendance: 3,178
Referee: Mark Kluczynski
TV 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

Period	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, 2021
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Mostly Sunny
Game attendance: 13,039
Referee: Jerry Magallanes
TV 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

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
1	13	Rashawn Slater	OT	Los Angeles Chargers
1	26	Greg Newsome II	CB	Cleveland Browns
5	174	Earnest Brown IV	DE	Los Angeles Rams

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". Big Ten Conference. August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
^ "The Big Ten Conference Adopts Stringent Medical Protocols; Football Season to Resume October 23-24, 2020". Big Ten Conference. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on 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 July 10, 2020.
^ "2020 Northwestern Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
^ Bible, The NFL Draft (May 11, 2021). "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 May 27, 2021.

[1] Stevens, Matthew. "Big Ten To Play A "Championship Weekend" 9th Game Of 2020 Season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 17, 2020.

[2] "Big Ten Statement on 2020-21 Fall Season". Big Ten Conference. August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.

[3] "The Big Ten Conference Adopts Stringent Medical Protocols; Football Season to Resume October 23-24, 2020". Big Ten Conference. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.

[4] Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.

[5] "2020 Northwestern Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.

[6] Bible, The NFL Draft (May 11, 2021). "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 May 27, 2021.

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2020 Northwestern Wildcats football

Big Ten West Division champion Citrus Bowl champion
Big Ten Championship Game, L 10–22 vs. Ohio State
Citrus Bowl, W 35–19 vs. Auburn
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Division	West Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 10
AP	No. 10
Record	7–2 (6–1 Big Ten)
Head coach	Pat Fitzgerald (15th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Bajakian (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Mike Hankwitz (13th season)
Base defense	Multiple 4–3
Home stadium	Ryan Field
Uniform

Seasons ← 2019 2021 →