The 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A college football season . The 1995 season was a highly memorable one for the Northwestern program, as the Wildcats went 10-2 overall and 8-0 in the Big Ten Conference , earning their first winning season since 1971 , their first conference championship since 1936 , and their first 10-win season in school history. They also broke several long-standing losing streaks to regular opponents, including a 22-game losing streak to Iowa , a 19-game losing streak against Michigan , and a 14-game losing streak to Notre Dame .
"Expect Victory" was the motto even as Northwestern began the season as 28-point underdogs against Notre Dame , who they upset 17-15, propelling into the AP poll at #25. An upset loss to the Miami Redhawks in the second game of the season caused the Wildcats to drop out of the rankings. However, subsequent wins over ranked Michigan (19-13), Wisconsin (35-0), and Penn State (21-10) pushed the Wildcats into the top-10 while making them national media darlings.
Nine consecutive wins (including eight against Big Ten opponents) brought Northwestern their highest ranking since 1962 (#3), a conference title, and their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1949 . In the Rose Bowl , the Wildcats' Cinderella season came to a conclusion with a 41–32 loss to the USC Trojans , and they finished the season at #8.
Northwestern was coached by Gary Barnett , who won multiple coach of the year awards for leading the dramatic turnaround of the program. Star players included the trio of quarterback Steve Schnur, running back Darnell Autry , and linebacker Pat Fitzgerald , who was named Big Ten and national defensive player of the year.
Schedule [ ] Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 2 1:30 PM at No. 9 Notre Dame * NBC W 17–1559,075 September 16 11:00 AM Miami (OH) * No. 25 ESPN2 L 28–3026,352 September 23 11:30 AM Air Force * Dyche Stadium Evanston, Illinois ESPN W 30–626,037 September 30 1:00 PM Indiana Dyche Stadium Evanston, Illinois W 31–729,223 October 7 11:30 AM at No. 7 Michigan No. 25 ESPN W 19–13104,642 October 14 1:00 PM at Minnesota No. 14 W 27–1750,504 October 21 11:30 AM No. 24 Wisconsin No. 11 Dyche Stadium Evanston, Illinois ESPN2 W 35–049,256 October 28 11:00 AM at Illinois No. 8 SCC W 17–1465,425 November 4 2:30 PM No. 12 Penn State No. 6 Dyche Stadium Evanston, Illinois ABC W 21–1049,256 November 11 11:00 AM Iowa No. 5 Creative W 31–2049,256 November 18 2:30 PM at Purdue No. 5 ABC W 23–847,172 January 1 3:30 PM vs. No. 17 USC * No. 3 ABC L 32–41100,102
Roster [ ]
1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
RB
32
Autry, Adrian Adrian Autry 3.0 ! So
RB
24
Autry, Darnell Darnell Autry 3.0 ! So
WR
5
Bates, D'Wayne D'Wayne Bates 1.0 ! Fr
WR
86
Beazley, Dave Dave Beazley 5.0 ! Jr
FB
Brown, Levelle Levelle Brown 1.0 ! Fr
G
61
Chabot, Justin Justin Chabot 5.0 ! Jr
TE
83
Drexler, Darren Darren Drexler 5.0 ! Jr
TE
85
Harpring, Brian Brian Harpring 7.0 ! Sr
FB
46
Hartl, Matt Matt Hartl 5.0 ! Jr
QB
8
Hughes, Tim Tim Hughes 5.0 ! Jr
T
74
Janus, Paul Paul Janus 5.0 ! Jr
C
57
Johnson, Rob Rob Johnson 7.0 ! Sr
T
78
Kardos, Brian Brian Kardos
WR
22
Musso, Brian Brian Musso 3.0 ! So
G
75
Padgett, Ryan Ryan Padgett
G
77
Pugh, Chad Chad Pugh
QB
10
Schnur, Steve Steve Schnur 5.0 ! Jr
WR
25
Swenson, Jeff Jeff Swenson 3.0 ! So
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
FS
20
Bennett, William William Bennett 7.0 ! Sr
SS
33
Collier, Eric Eric Collier 5.0 ! Jr
DE
36
Dailey, Casey Casey Dailey 5.0 ! Jr
LB
51
Fitzgerald, Pat Pat Fitzgerald Injured
5.0 ! Jr
LB
55
Gardner, Barry Barry Gardner 1.0 ! Fr
LB
53
Holmes, Don Don Holmes 5.0 ! Jr
CB
3
Ismaeli, Hudhaifa Hudhaifa Ismaeli 3.0 ! So
LB
44
Lozowski, Keith Keith Lozowski 5.0 ! Jr
CB
16
Martin, Chris Chris Martin 7.0 ! Sr
CB
15
Ray, Rodney Rodney Ray 7.0 ! Sr
DL
95
Rice, Matt Matt Rice
DL
96
Robey, Ray Ray Robey
LB
Scharf, Tim Tim Scharf 5.0 ! Jr
LB
47
Shein, Geoff Geoff Shein
LB
50
Sutter, Danny Danny Sutter
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
P
14
Burton, Paul Paul Burton 5.0 ! Jr
K
13
Gowins, Brian Brian Gowins 3.0 ! So
K
27
Valenzisi, Sam Sam Valenzisi Injured (C)
7.0 ! Sr
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible
Rankings [ ]
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
Final
AP
NR
NR
NR
25
NR
NR
25
14
11
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
8
Coaches
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
17
11
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
7
[2]
Game summaries [ ] Notre Dame [ ]
Northwestern at #9 Notre Dame
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• Wildcats
7
3
7
0
17
Fighting Irish
0
9
0
6
15
Scoring summary Q1
6:15
NW Dave Beazley 6-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick) NW 7–0 Q2
ND Kevin Kopka 35-yard field goal NW 7–3 Q2
NW Sam Valenzisi 37-yard field goal NW 10–3 Q2
2:35
ND Robert Farmer 5-yard run (kick failed) NW 10–9 Q3
NW D'Wayne Bates 26-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick) NW 17–9 Q4
6:15
ND Randy Kinder 2-yard run (conversion failed) NW 17–15
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
7–37–2
1994
L 15–42
[3] [4] [5] [6]
Miami (OH) [ ]
Miami (OH) at #25 Northwestern
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• Redskins
0
7
0
23
30
Wildcats
14
7
7
0
28
Scoring summary Q1
10:50
NW D'Wayne Bates 27-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick) NW 7–0 Q1
3:40
NW Darnell Autry 13-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick) NW 14–0 Q2
4:06
NW D'Wayne Bates 36-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick) NW 21–0 Q2
1:55
M-OH Dee Osborne 5-yard blocked punt return (Seitz kick) NW 21–7 Q3
14:09
NW Rodney Ray 20-yard interception return (Valenzisi kick) NW 28–7 Q4
11:14
M-OH Jay Hall 5-yard pass from Sam Ricketts (Seitz kick) NW 28–14 Q4
8:36
M-OH Jeremy Adkins 9-yard pass from Sam Ricketts (Seitz kick) NW 28–21 Q4
2:22
M-OH Ty King 2-yard run (conversion failed) NW 28–27 Q4
0:00
M-OH Chad Seitz 20-yard field goal MIAMI 30–28
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
1–3
1982
L 13–27
The Wildcats surrendered a 21-point 4th quarter lead in their first game as a nationally ranked team since 1971. Miami of Ohio's Chad Seitz booted a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give the Redskins the victory. The opposing team was led by future Northwestern head coach Randy Walker and his offensive coordinator was Sean Payton . This would be the lone regular season blemish on the Wildcats' schedule.[7] [8]
Air Force [ ]
Air Force at Northwestern
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
6
0
0
6
• Wildcats
10
6
0
14
30
Scoring summary Q1
7:21
NW Sam Valenzisi 46-yard field goal NW 3–0 Q1
4:19
NW Darnell Autry 1-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 10–0 Q2
13:09
AF Randy Roberts 26-yard field goal NW 10–3 Q2
9:36
NW Sam Valenzisi 26-yard field goal NW 13–3 Q2
7:16
NW Sam Valenzisi 35-yard field goal NW 16–3 Q2
0:31
AF Randy Roberts 39-yard field goal NW 16–6 Q4
14:57
NW Darnell Autry 6-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 23–6 Q4
8:37
NW Adrian Autry 5-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 30–6
See also: 1995 Air Force Falcons football team
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
0–2
1989
L 31–48
[9]
Indiana [ ]
Indiana at Northwestern
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Hoosiers
0
7
0
0
7
• Wildcats
3
7
11
10
31
Scoring summary Q1
0:01
NW Sam Valenzisi 40-yard field goal NW 3–0 Q2
9:26
IND Chris Dittoe 2-yard run (Manolopoulos kick) Indiana 7–3 Q2
5:27
NW Darnell Autry 42-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 10–7 Q3
7:04
NW Sam Valenzisi 34-yard field goal NW 13–7 Q3
4:24
NW Darnell Autry 6-yard run (Beazley pass from Schnur) NW 21–7 Q4
9:06
NW Casey Dailey 43-yard fumble return (Valenzisi kick) NW 28–7 Q4
6:30
NW Sam Valenzisi 32-yard field goal NW 31–7
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
35–31–1
1994
W 20–7
[10]
Michigan [ ]
#25 Northwestern at #7 Michigan
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• Wildcats
0
6
3
10
19
Wolverines
3
3
7
0
13
Scoring summary Q1
9:33
Mich Remy Hamilton 41-yard field goal Mich 3–0 Q2
12:43
Mich Remy Hamilton 21-yard field goal Mich 6–0 Q2
4:15
NW Sam Valenzisi 29-yard field goal Mich 6–3 Q2
0:01
NW Sam Valenzisi 28-yard field goal Tied 6–6 Q3
8:02
Mich Brian Griese 3-yard run (Hamilton kick)Mich 13–6 Q3
3:48
NW Sam Valenzisi 32-yard field goal Mich 13–9 Q4
12:42
NW Matt Hartl 2-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Valenzisi kick) NW 16–13 Q4
8:42
NW Sam Valenzisi 22-yard field goal NW 19–13
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
11–45–2
1992
L 7–40
Minnesota [ ]
#14 Northwestern at Minnesota
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• Wildcats
3
11
7
6
27
Golden Gophers
7
7
0
3
17
Scoring summary Q1
3:49
NW Sam Valenzisi 29-yard field goal NW 3–0 Q1
0:30
Minn Paul Kratochvil 4-yard pass from Cory Sauter (Chalberg kick) Minn 7–3 Q2
13:08
Minn Chris Darkins 6-yard run (Chalberg kick) Minn 14–3 Q2
9:47
NW Sam Valenzisi 29-yard field goal Minn 14–6 Q2
5:42
NW Darnell Autry 18-yard run (D'Wayne Bates pass from Steve Schnur) Tied 14–14 Q3
3:57
NW Darnell Autry 11-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 21–14 Q4
12:21
NW Darnell Autry 73-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 27–14 Q4
8:51
Minn Mike Chalberg 47-yard field goal NW 27–17
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
24–45–5
1994
W 37–31
After falling behind 14–3 early in the second quarter, the Wildcats scored the next 24 points to take control of the game. Darnell Autry ran for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 73-yard burst early in the fourth quarter.[11]
Wisconsin [ ]
#24 Wisconsin at #11 Northwestern
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Badgers
0
0
0
0
0
• Wildcats
10
3
6
16
35
Scoring summary Q1
7:22
NW Steve Schnur 1-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 7–0 Q2
2:39
NW Sam Valenzisi 32-yard field goal NW 10–0 Q2
0:56
NW Sam Valenzisi 26-yard field goal NW 13–0 Q3
13:21
NW Darnell Autry 32-yard pass from Steve Schnur (conversion failed) NW 19–0 Q4
13:34
NW Darnell Autry 3-yard run (Valenzisi kick) NW 26–0 Q4
11:03
NW Brian Gowins 40-yard field goal NW 29–0 Q4
7:29
NW Levelle Brown 38-yard run (PAT failed) NW 35–0
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
27–50–5
1994
L 14–46
The Wildcats forced 7 Badger turnovers (Wisconsin had 6 total in their first five games) in a triumphant homecoming matchup. The game marked the first sellout at Northwestern since 1984.[12] [13]
Illinois [ ]
#8 Northwestern at Illinois
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• Wildcats
0
10
0
7
17
Fighting Illini
7
7
0
0
14
Scoring summary Q1
9:41
Ill Weaver 1-yard run (Scheuplein kick) Ill 7–0 Q2
10:32
Ill Robert Holcombe 7-yard run (Scheuplein kick)Ill 14–0 Q2
8:12
NW Brian Gowins 49-yard field goal Ill 14–3 Q2
4:33
NW D'Wayne Bates 43-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Gowins kick) Ill 14–10 Q4
6:14
NW Darnell Autry 1-yard run (Gowins kick) NW 17–14
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
36–47–5
1994
L 7–28
[14]
Penn State [ ]
#12 Penn State at #6 Northwestern
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Nittany Lions
0
7
3
0
10
• Wildcats
7
7
0
7
21
Scoring summary Q1
8:47
NW Darnell Autry 2-yard run (Gowins kick) NW 7–0 Q2
8:07
NW Darnell Autry 11-yard run (Gowins kick) NW 14–0 Q2
0:48
PSU Olsommer 5-yard pass from Richardson (Conway kick) NW 14–7 Q3
8:32
PSU Conway 24-yard field goal NW 14–10 Q4
11:03
NW Darnell Autry 1-yard run (Gowins kick) NW 21–10
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
0–2
1994
L 17–45
[15] [16]
Iowa [ ]
Iowa at #5 Northwestern
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Hawkeyes
0
20
0
0
20
• Wildcats
3
14
7
7
31
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
14–41–3
1994
L 13–49
[17]
Purdue [ ]
#5 Northwestern at Purdue
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• Wildcats
7
7
9
0
23
Boilermakers
0
0
0
8
8
Scoring summary Q1
7:47
NW Chris Martin 76-yard interception return (Gowins kick) NW 7–0 Q2
3:10
NW D'Wayne Bates 72-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Gowins kick) NW 14–0 Q3
13:53
NW Safety NW 16–0 Q3
13:38
NW Steve Schnur 1-yard run (Gowins kick) NW 23–0 Q4
10:30
PUR Watson 3-yard run (Alstott reception) NW 23–8
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
21–40–1
1992
W 28–14
Northwestern got two big scoring plays in the first half – a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chris Martin and a 72-yard touchdown reception by D'Wayne Bates – to take control. Darnell Autry carried the ball 32 times for a career-high 226 yards.[18] [19]
Rose Bowl [ ]
#3 Northwestern vs. #17 USC
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Wildcats
7
3
16
6
32
• Trojans
7
17
7
10
41
Scoring summary Q1
10:02
USC Lavale Woods 1-yard run (Abrams kick) USC 7–0 Q1
6:05
NW Darnell Autry 3-yard run (Gowins kick) Tied 7–7 Q2
13:05
USC Terry Barnum 21-yard pass from Brad Otton (Abrams kick) USC 14–7 Q2
3:29
USC Adam Abrams 30-yard field goal USC 17–7 Q2
2:56
USC Daylon McCutcheon 53-yard fumble return (Abrams kick) USC 24–7 Q2
0:02
NW Brian Gowins 29-yard field goal USC 24–10 Q3
11:01
NW Brian Gowins 28-yard field goal USC 24–13 Q3
8:17
NW Darnell Autry 3-yard run (conversion failed) USC 24–19 Q2
6:08
USC Keyshawn Johnson 56-yard pass from Brad Otton (Abrams kick)USC 31–19 Q3
2:58
NW Steve Schnur 1-yard run (Gowins kick) USC 31–26 Q4
13:01
NW Darnell Autry 2-yard run (conversion failed) NW 32–31 Q4
9:09
USC Adam Abrams 46-yard field goal USC 34–32 Q4
2:55
USC Delon Washington 2-yard run (Abrams kick) USC 41–32
Overall record
Last meeting
Result
0–4
1969
L 6–48
[20] [21] [22] [23]
Awards and honors [ ] 1995 team players in the NFL [ ] References [ ]
↑ "Year-by-Year Results" (PDF). 2007. p. 149. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nw/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/nu-mg-07-history.pdf#page=8 .↑ "Northwestern 1995 AP Football Rankings" . http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/teams/by_season.cfm?teamid=4&seasonid=1995 .↑ "NORTHWESTERN DETERMINED TO BUCK THE ODDS" . Chicago Tribune . https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-08-23-9508230295-story.html .↑ "Northwestern vs. Notre Dame" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95245/95245366.htm .↑ "NOTRE DAME STUNNED BY NORTHWESTERN" . Washington Post . https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/09/03/notre-dame-stunned-by-northwestern/c396cd52-ee22-47cd-bf81-5741b9673a98/ .↑ "Witnesses recall Northwestern's 1995 upset of Notre Dame" . November 13, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northwestern-notre-dame-1995-oral-history-spt-1114-20141113-column.html .↑ "Miami (ohio) vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95259/95259342.htm .↑ "Back to Reality: Miami of Ohio 30, Northwestern 28" . Chicago Tribune . https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-09-17-9509170213-story.html .↑ "Air Force vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95266/95266331.htm .↑ "Indiana vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95273/95273367.htm .↑ "Northwestern vs. Minnesota" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95287/95287422.htm .↑ "Northwestern 35, Wisconsin 0" . United Press International . https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/10/21/Northwestern-35-Wisconsin-0/8880814248000/ .↑ "NEWS FOR NO. 8 NU ISN'T ALL THAT ROSY" . Chicago Tribune . https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-10-23-9510230210-story.html .↑ "Northwestern vs. Illinois" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95301/95301337.htm .↑ "Penn St. vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95308/95308412.htm .↑ Layden, Tim (November 13, 1995). "THE CATS' MEOW BY BEATING PENN STATE, NORTHWESTERN PROVED IT'S MORE THAN A GOOD STORY--IT'S A GOOD TEAM" . Sports Illustrated . https://www.si.com/vault/1995/11/13/8098728/the-cats-meow-by-beating-penn-state-northwestern-proved-its-more-than-a-good-storyits-a-good-team . ↑ "Iowa vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95315/95315333.htm . Retrieved June 22, 2019 .↑ "Northwestern vs. Purdue" . USA Today . http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores95/95322/95322403.htm .↑ "Memory of Single Loss Helped Wildcats Dig In" . Chicago Tribune . https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-11-19-9511190224-story.html .↑ "FOR INJURED, A BITTERSWEET TIME" . Chicago Tribune . https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-12-24-9512240352-story.html .↑ Telander, Rick (December 25, 1995). "PURPLE HAZE IN AN IMPROBABLY SENSATIONAL SEASON, NORTHWESTERN EMERGED FROM A FOG OF FUTILITY TO EARN A TRIP TO SUNNY PASADENA" . Sports Illustrated . https://www.si.com/vault/1995/12/25/209190/purple-haze-in-an-improbably-sensational-season-northwestern-emerged-from-a-fog-of-futility-to-earn-a-trip-to-sunny-pasadena . ↑ "USC Rewrites Northwestern's Storybook Ending" . New York Times . https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/02/sports/college-football-usc-rewrites-northwestern-s-storybook-ending.html .↑ "ROSE BOWL: USC 41, Northwestern 32 : Cinderella Beaten to Ball" . Los Angeles Times . https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-02-sp-20185-story.html .
Template:Big Ten Conference football champions
