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American college football season
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] [ 3]
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. Minnesota 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
[ 5]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking 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
Maryland Terrapins vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
Quarter
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 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
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
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
Quarter
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 weather : Sunny, 66 °F (19 °C)Game attendance : 0Referee : Jerry McGinnTV 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
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Purdue Boilermakers – Game summary
Quarter
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 weather : 46 °F (8 °C), Overcast, SE 10 mph (16 km/h)Game attendance : 886Referee : Jeff ServinskiTV 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 Badgers vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
Quarter
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
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans – Game summary
Quarter
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 weather : Sunny, light clouds • Temperature : 45 °F (7 °C) • Wind : SW 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)Game attendance : 0Referee : M. KluczynskiTV 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
[ edit ]
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers – Game summary
Quarter
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 Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Game summary
Quarter
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 Game attendance : 0TV : 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 Top Receivers ILL – Brian Hightower – 2 receptions, 60 yards, TD
NU – Kyric McGowan – 4 receptions, 72 yards
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Championship game) – Game summary
Quarter
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
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Auburn Tigers (Citrus Bowl) – Game summary
Quarter
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 [ edit ] Source: [ 6]
^ Stevens, Matthew (September 16, 2020). "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 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 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 .
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