By Paul M. Banks In 2008, Northwestern finished just one win shy of the school record. They found success primarily because of their defense, as the ’Cats set a single-season defensive rushing record, holding their foes to 126.4 yards per game. Ahead of the previous school record from the Wildcats’ mythical 1995 Rose Bowl season. Newly installed defensive coordinator Mike … [Read more...] about DE Corey Coreysaurus Wootton leads Northwestern’s Defense
Northwestern Wildcats
Ranking the Big Ten Football Venues
By Paul M. Banks Our friends over at Midwest Sports Fans.com have ranked the atmosphere at all 11 Big Ten football Stadiums. And Chicago's two teams, Illinois and Northwestern, did not place well. Actually, their showing was pitiful, 8th and 11th respectively. If you can use the term "respect" in regards to what the writer thought of the Wildcats and Illini home fields- at … [Read more...] about Ranking the Big Ten Football Venues
Pat Fitzgerald Previewing Northwestern’s Upcoming Season
By Paul M. Banks College Football season is a little more than three weeks away, and when things get underway September 5th, Northwestern will look to build upon last year’s success. In 2008, they finished one win shy of the single season school record for wins. “We’re Chicago’s Big Ten team,” Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald proclaimed at NU Media Day. I’m sure many people at … [Read more...] about Pat Fitzgerald Previewing Northwestern’s Upcoming Season
Mike Kafka: Northwestern’s Record Setting QB
By Paul M. Banks This fall Northwestern breaks in a new starting quarterback, one with a few starting games under his belt. One of those games was extraordinary. “All Mike Kafka did last year with his opportunity was run for a Big Ten single-game record (for a quarterback) 217 yards. You’ll see if you come out to practice that he’s throwing the ball as well as he has in … [Read more...] about Mike Kafka: Northwestern’s Record Setting QB
Big Ten Predictions
By the TSB Staff 1.Ohio St. 2. Michigan State 3. Penn St. It will be tight at the top once again this year. Ohio State's Terrell Pryor is going to come into his own this year; combined with an always stout defense, the Buckeyes will be hard to keep from the title. Michigan St. returns 14 starters and will compete for the title if they can find suitable replacements … [Read more...] about Big Ten Predictions
Big Ten Power Rankings
By Paul M. Banks Now that Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago are over, and the cases have been made for the strengths and weaknesses of the league’s 11 teams in the “City of Broad Shoulders,” it’s time to sort the league’s macho men from the weaklings. And, of course these rankings are highly subject to change. Last year’s record (and when applicable, bowl appearance) … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings
Northwestern Running Back Derby is Wide Open
By Paul M. Banks In the past decade or so Northwestern produced about a handful of NFL running backs (Jason Wright, Noah Herron, Damien Anderson, Darnell Autry) Although neither of the two tailbacks they lost to graduation this off-season will follow in their footsteps, they were pretty good. Had Tyrell Sutton, the team’s best all-around athlete, stayed healthy his senior … [Read more...] about Northwestern Running Back Derby is Wide Open
Northwestern Alums Drafted by UFL, What’s the UFL?
By Paul M. Banks The United Football League (UFL) held its inaugural "Premiere" Season Draft June 19th. After the league' worked out players in Orlando and Las Vegas. Three of them are former Northwestern Wildcats including: Last year’s Quarterback C.J. Bachér, (I’ll give you a dollar if you can pronounce his name correctly, hint: it’s not “back her” or “bocker”) Starting … [Read more...] about Northwestern Alums Drafted by UFL, What’s the UFL?
AD Jim Phillips Boosting Northwestern’s profile
By Paul M. Banks and Rikki Greenberg These days, anyone who follows Chicago sports is well aware of how Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, with the help of Vice President John McDonough, re-branded the Blackhawks from obscure afterthought into main event of the Second City. Northwestern Athletic Director Jim Phillips could likely be the next executive to accomplish such a feat. … [Read more...] about AD Jim Phillips Boosting Northwestern’s profile
A Wildcat Experience at The Cell
By Rikki Greenberg The environment at U.S. Cellular Field was electric and it wasn’t because the White Sox were in town. This game was all about sporting purple and white or blue and gold while heading to the park to pledge your allegiance to either Northwestern or Notre Dame. Northwestern senior Tony Vercelli’s two home runs in the 5-1 defeat over Notre Dame was the … [Read more...] about A Wildcat Experience at The Cell