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 since 1903.[ 2] 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.
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, IL ESPN W 30–626,037
September 30 1:00 pm Indiana Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 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, IL 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, IL 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
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
P
14
Paul Burton
Jr
K
13
Brian Gowins
So
K
27
Sam Valenzisi (C)
Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final AP — — — 25 — — 25 14 11 8 6 5 5 4 3 3 8 Coaches — — — — — — 17 11 8 6 5 5 4 3 3 7
[ 3]
Game information
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
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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.[ 8] [ 9]
Miami (OH) Redskins at #25 Northwestern Wildcats
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Miami (OH)
0
7
0 23 30
Northwestern
14
7
7 0 28
at Dyche Stadium , Evanston, Illinois
Date : September 16, 1995Game time : 11:00 a.m. CST Game attendance : 26,352Box Score
Game information
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
Air Force Falcons at Northwestern Wildcats
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Air Force
0
6
0 0 6
Northwestern
10
6
0 14 30
at Dyche Stadium , Evanston, Illinois
Date : September 23, 1995Game time : 11:30 a.m. CST Game attendance : 26,037[ 10]
Game information
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
Indiana Hoosiers at Northwestern Wildcats
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Indiana
0
7
0 0 7
Northwestern
3
7
11 10 31
at Dyche Stadium , Evanston, Illinois
Date : September 30, 1995Game time : 1:00 p.m. CST Game attendance : 29,223[ 11]
Game information
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
Game information
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
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.[ 12]
Game information
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
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.[ 13]
[ 14]
Game information
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
#8 Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting Illini
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Northwestern
0
10
0 7 17
Illinois
7
7
0 0 14
at Memorial Stadium , Champaign, Illinois
Date : October 28, 1995Game time : 11:00 a.m. CST Game attendance : 65,425TV : SCC [ 15]
Game information
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
Game information
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
[ 16] [ 17]
Iowa Hawkeyes at #5 Northwestern Wildcats
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Iowa
0
20
0 0 20
Northwestern
3
14
7 7 31
at Dyche Stadium , Evanston, Illinois
Date : November 11, 1995Game time : 11:00 a.m. CST Game weather : 26 °F (−3 °C), Overcast, Wind N 30 mph (48 km/h)Game attendance : 49,256Referee : David WitvoetTV announcers (Creative Sports) : Wayne Larrivee , Randy Wright , and Jim BarberBox Score
Game information
Scoring summary 1 6:24 NW Brian Gowins 50-yard field goal NW 3–0
2 13:03 IOWA Sedrick Shaw 1-yard run (Bromert kick) IOWA 7–3
2 8:25 IOWA Tom Knight 28-yard interception return (Bromert kick) IOWA 14–3
2 6:44 NW Darren Drexler 21-yard pass from Steve Schnur (Gowins kick) IOWA 14–10
2 5:05 NW Brian Musso 60-yard punt return (Gowins kick) NW 17–14
2 1:31 IOWA Scott Slutzker 39-yard pass from Matt Sherman (kick failed) IOWA 20–17
3 11:08 NW Darnell Autry 3-yard run (Gowins kick)NW 24–20
4 2:56 NW Hudhaifa Ismaeli 31-yard fumble return (Gowins kick) NW 31–20
[ 18]
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.[ 19] [ 20]
Game information
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
Game information
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
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[ 23] [ 24]
1995 team players in the NFL
edit
^ "Year-by-Year Results" (PDF) . 2007. p. 149. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019 .
^ "Northwestern Wildcats College Football History, Stats, Records" . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^ "Northwestern 1995 AP Football Rankings" . collegepollarchive.com . Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "NORTHWESTERN DETERMINED TO BUCK THE ODDS" . Chicago Tribune . August 23, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Northwestern vs. Notre Dame" . USA Today . September 2, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "NOTRE DAME STUNNED BY NORTHWESTERN" . The Washington Post . September 3, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2019 .
^ "Witnesses recall Northwestern's 1995 upset of Notre Dame" . Chicago Tribune . November 13, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Miami (ohio) vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . September 16, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Back to Reality: Miami of Ohio 30, Northwestern 28" . Chicago Tribune . September 17, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Air Force vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . September 23, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Indiana vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . September 30, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Northwestern vs. Minnesota" . USA Today . October 14, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Northwestern 35, Wisconsin 0" . United Press International . October 21, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "NEWS FOR NO. 8 NU ISN'T ALL THAT ROSY" . Chicago Tribune . October 23, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Northwestern vs. Illinois" . USA Today . October 28, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Penn St. vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . November 4, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ 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 . Retrieved June 22, 2019 .
^ "Iowa vs. Northwestern" . USA Today . November 11, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2019 .
^ "Northwestern vs. Purdue" . USA Today . November 18, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Memory of Single Loss Helped Wildcats Dig In" . Chicago Tribune . November 19, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2019 .
^ "FOR INJURED, A BITTERSWEET TIME" . Chicago Tribune . December 24, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ 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 . Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "USC Rewrites Northwestern's Storybook Ending" . The New York Times . January 2, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2019 .
^ "ROSE BOWL: USC 41, Northwestern 32 : Cinderella Beaten to Ball" . Los Angeles Times . January 2, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2019 .