Northwestern Wildcats NCAA Football News

What a way to cap off the regular season as Northwestern pulled off the upset over previously No.

The jubilant Northwestern students marched off the field wearing T-shirts that read: "Real Fans Wear Purple" and "FITZ is my Facebook friend." And one savvy fan was singing: "Let's go Outback tonight." The fan obviously realized NU's stirring 33-31 victory Saturday over Wisconsin at Ryan Field has launched the program into a territory that was ...

Getting offensive: Mike Kafka played brilliantly, completing 26 of 40 passes for 326 yards and two sterling touchdown passes.

Mike Kafka hit Andrew Brewer with two first-half touchdown passes and Brian Peters and Jordan Mabin made key defensive plays late as Northwestern beat No.

Tomorrow afternoon, 21 NU seniors will play at Ryan Field for the final time. They've been through hell and have emerged as one of the most successful senior classes in Northwestern football history.

Favorites dominated the college football landscape last week, covering at a 61% clip after two straight winning weeks by the underdogs.

Last meeting: 2006, Wisconsin 41-9. What's at stake The Badgers can still have a 10-win season - they play at Hawaii in their finale - and carve out a spot in a top-notch bowl with a victory.

His workday begins at 6 a.m. and ends around 10:30 p.m., a 16 1/2 -hour grind of film study, meetings, film study, practice and, for dessert, more film study.

Madison - During his two seasons as the University of Wisconsin's defensive coordinator , Mike Hankwitz was known affectionately as "the professor." Though well into his second season running Northwestern's defense, Hankwitz doesn't have a similar tag.

Illinois quarterback Jacob Charest looks to throw against Minnesota during the first half in an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov.

Mike Kafka threw for 305 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score and Sherrick McManis made a last-minute interception to preserve Northwestern's 21-16 win Saturday over Illinois.

Last Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, Illinois put on Act II in its late-season offensive resurgence, putting up 35 points in an upset of Minnesota.

Getting offensive: Mike Kafka threw for 305 yards, completing 23 of 37 passes without an interception.

Illinois linebacker Ian Thomas brings down Northwestern running back Jacob Schmidt during the first half.

When Illinois runs Just when it looked like Mikel Leshoure had taken over the No.

Here's proof Dan Persa's right hand is OK: He has no trouble offering a firm handshake.

Last Weekenda s win in Iowa City against theNo. 4 Hawkeyes was probably one of the best feelings I have had playing football.

After starting the season with four straight losses, the improbable is now fact.

The All Sports Association, Inc. announced today that University of Michigan fifth-year senior punter Zoltan Mesko is one of 12 finalists for the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy, the national award that honors the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement.

Northwestern vs. Illinois , Saturday, Noon ET Line: Illinois by 5. Series Record: Illinois leads, 52-45-5. Last meeting: 2008, Northwestern 27-10. What's at Stake Northwestern has two shots left to improve its bowl position, while Illinois, with three games left, is fighting the odds to win out and gain bowl eligibility after a 1-6 start.