2015 Northwestern Wildcats football team

2015 Northwestern Wildcats football

Outback Bowl, L 6–45 vs. Tennessee
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Division	West Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 22
AP	No. 23
2015 record	10–3 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach	Pat Fitzgerald (10th as HC) (15th overall year)
Offensive coordinator	Mick McCall (8th year)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Mike Hankwitz (8th year)
Base defense	Multiple 4–3
Home stadium	Ryan Field (Capacity: 47,130)

2015 Big Ten football standings
	Conf				Overall
Team		W		L		W		L
East Division
#6 Michigan State xy$^		7	–	1		12	–	2
#4 Ohio State x		7	–	1		12	–	1
#12 Michigan		6	–	2		10	–	3
Penn State		4	–	4		7	–	6
Indiana		2	–	6		6	–	7
Rutgers		1	–	7		4	–	8
Maryland		1	–	7		3	–	9
West Division
#9 Iowa x		8	–	0		12	–	2
#23 Northwestern		6	–	2		10	–	3
#21 Wisconsin		6	–	2		10	–	3
Nebraska		3	–	5		6	–	7
Minnesota		2	–	6		6	–	7
Illinois		2	–	6		5	–	7
Purdue		1	–	7		2	–	10
Championship: Michigan State 16, Iowa 13
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant As of January 2, 2016; Rankings from AP Poll

The 2015 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was Pat Fitzgerald's tenth season as the team's head coach. The Wildcats home games were played at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. They were members of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 10–3, 6–2 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Outback Bowl where they were defeated by Tennessee 45-6.

Previous season

The 2014 Northwestern Wildcats football team finished the regular season 5–7, 3–5 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for fifth place in the West Division. They had highlight wins against #18 Notre Dame and #17 Wisconsin.

Schedule

Northwestern announced their 2015 football schedule on June 3, 2013. The 2015 schedule consist of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. The Wildcats will host Big Ten foes Iowa, Minnesota, Penn State, and Purdue and will travel to Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.^[1]

The Wildcats hosted three of their four non conference games against Ball State, Eastern Illinois and Stanford. Northwestern traveled to Durham, North Carolina to face Duke of the Atlantic Coast Conference on September 19.

Date	Time	Opponent^#	Rank^#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 5	11:00 a.m.	No. 21 Stanford*		Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	ESPN	W 16–6	36,024
September 12	3:00 p.m.	Eastern Illinois*		Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	ESPNews	W 41–0	29,131
September 19	11:30 a.m.	at Duke*	No. 23	Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC	ACCN	W 19–10	24,127
September 26	7:00 p.m.	Ball State*	No. 17	Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	BTN	W 24–19	30,107
October 3	11:00 a.m.	Minnesota	No. 16	Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	BTN	W 27–0	30,044
October 10	2:30 p.m.	at No. 18 Michigan	No. 13	Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI	BTN	L 0–38	110,452
October 17	11:00 a.m.	No. 17 Iowa	No. 20	Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	ABC/ESPN2	L 10–40	44,135
October 24	11:00 a.m.	at Nebraska		Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE	ESPN2	W 30–28	89,493
November 7	11:00 a.m.	Penn State		Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	ESPNU	W 23–21	34,116
November 14	11:00 a.m.	Purdue	No. 24	Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	BTN	W 21–14	30,003
November 21	2:30 PM	at No. 21 Wisconsin	No. 20	Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI	BTN	W 13–7	75,276
November 28	2:30 PM	at Illinois	No. 17	Soldier Field • Chicago, IL (Rivalry)	ESPNU	W 24–14	33,514
January 1, 2016	11:00 a.m.	vs. Tennessee*	No. 12	Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL (Outback Bowl)	ESPN2	L 6–45	53,202
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. ^#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time Zone.

Schedule Source:^[2]

Rankings

Further information: 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	NR	RV	23	17	16	13	20	RV	RV	RV	24	20	17	13	12	23
Coaches	NR	RV	24	19	17	14	21	RV	RV	RV	24	21	17	13	12	22
CFP	Not released									21	18	20	16	14	13	Not released

Roster

2015 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster

Players Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
WR	`2`	Salem, ChristianChristian Salem	3.5 !Jr
RB	`4`	Vault, SolomonSolomon Vault	3.0 !So
WR	`5`	Shuler, MilesMiles Shuler	4.5 !Sr
WR	`6`	McHugh, MikeMike McHugh	3.5 !Jr
QB	`7`	Alviti, MattMatt Alviti	2.5 !So
WR	`8`	Buckley, StephenStephen Buckley	3.5 !Jr
SB	`9`	Dickerson, GarrettGarrett Dickerson	3.0 !So
QB	`10`	Oliver, ZackZack Oliver	4.5 !Sr
QB	`11`	Green, T. J.T. J. Green	1.0 !Fr
WR	`11`	Youngblood-Ary, PierrePierre Youngblood-Ary	4.5 !Sr
RB	`12`	Anderson, AustonAuston Anderson	1.5 !Fr
RB	`13`	Long, WarrenWarren Long	5.0 !Jr
WR	`14`	Jones, ChristianChristian Jones (C)	4.5 !Sr
QB	`14`	Yates, LloydLloyd Yates	1.0 !Fr
WR	`15`	Wilson, MacanMacan Wilson	2.5 !So
WR	`16`	Baker, QuinnQuinn Baker	2.5 !So
QB	`17`	Kubiuk, DanielDaniel Kubiuk	1.5 !Fr
QB	`18`	Thorson, ClaytonClayton Thorson	1.5 !Fr
WR	`19`	Dickerson, CameronCameron Dickerson	4.5 !Sr
RB	`20`	Moten IV, JohnJohn Moten IV	1.0 !Fr
RB	`21`	Jackson, JustinJustin Jackson	3.0 !So
WR	`24`	Gorogianis, MarkMark Gorogianis	2.5 !So
WR	`25`	Dauch, LukeLuke Dauch	4.5 !Sr
WR	`36`	Acker, CoreyCorey Acker	2.5 !So
SB	`40`	Vitale, DanDan Vitale (C)	57.0 !Sr
WR	`43`	Johnson, ColeCole Johnson	2.5 !So
SB	`46`	Lutzen, EricEric Lutzen	1.5 !Fr
OL	`53`	Mogus, GeoffGeoff Mogus	4.5 !Sr
OL	`57`	Frazier, MattMatt Frazier	4.5 !Sr
OL	`59`	Butler, J. B.J. B. Butler	1.5 !Fr
OL	`63`	Park, IanIan Park	3.5 !Jr
OL	`64`	Otterman, AndrewAndrew Otterman	1.0 !Fr
OL	`65`	Thomas, JaredJared Thomas	1.0 !Fr
OL	`68`	Mahoney, ConnorConnor Mahoney	3.5 !Jr
OL	`69`	North, BradBrad North	2.5 !So
OL	`70`	Mertz, ShaneShane Mertz	4.5 !Sr
OL	`71`	Doles, TommyTommy Doles	1.5 !Fr
OL	`72`	Hance, BlakeBlake Hance	1.5 !Fr
OL	`73`	DePietro, AdamAdam DePietro	3.5 !Jr
OL	`74`	Bullmore, GrahamGraham Bullmore	2.5 !So
OL	`76`	Oloson, EricEric Oloson	3.5 !Jr
OL	`78`	Lemke-Bell, AdamAdam Lemke-Bell	1.0 !Fr
OL	`79`	Coverdale, SamSam Coverdale	2.5 !So
WR	`80`	Carr, AustinAustin Carr	3.5 !Jr
WR	`81`	Roberts, JelaniJelani Roberts	1.0 !Fr
WR	`82`	Scanlan, AndrewAndrew Scanlan	3.5 !Jr
WR	`83`	Hanaoka, ChadChad Hanaoka	3.0 !So
WR	`84`	Green, CameronCameron Green	1.0 !Fr
WR	`85`	Cliff, ChrisChris Cliff	1.0 !Fr
SB	`85`	Szott, MarkMark Szott	4.5 !Sr
WR	`86`	Nagel, FlynnFlynn Nagel	1.0 !Fr
WR	`87`	Kidd, GarrettGarrett Kidd	4.5 !Sr
SB	`88`	Taylor, JaymeJayme Taylor	2.5 !So
WR	`89`	Fessler, CharlieCharlie Fessler	1.0 !Fr

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DL	`1`	Chapman, MaxMax Chapman	4.5 !Sr
S	`2`	Henry, TraveonTraveon Henry (C)	57.0 !Sr
CB	`3`	Watkins II, KeithKeith Watkins II	2.5 !So
DL	`7`	Odenigbo, IfeadiIfeadi Odenigbo	3.5 !Jr
DB	`10`	Murray, JakeJake Murray	1.0 !Fr
DL	`13`	Gibson, DeonteDeonte Gibson (C)	4.5 !Sr
S	`16`	Igwebuike, GodwinGodwin Igwebuike	2.5 !So
CB	`17`	McShepard, MarcusMarcus McShepard	2.5 !So
LB	`18`	Walker, AnthonyAnthony Walker	2.5 !So
S	`21`	Queiro, KyleKyle Queiro	2.5 !So
CB	`22`	Westphal, ParrkerParrker Westphal	1.5 !Fr
CB	`23`	VanHoose, NickNick VanHoose	4.5 !Sr
CB	`24`	Hartage, MontreMontre Hartage	1.0 !Fr
S	`26`	Brown, TerranceTerrance Brown	3.5 !Jr
CB	`27`	Harris, MatthewMatthew Harris	3.5 !Jr
DB	`28`	Mayo, AlonzoAlonzo Mayo	1.0 !Fr
DB	`29`	Williams, TraeTrae Williams	1.0 !Fr
LB	`31`	Vitale, TommyTommy Vitale	1.0 !Fr
LB	`32`	Hill, NateNate Hill	1.5 !Fr
DB	`33`	Reese, StevenSteven Reese	1.0 !Fr
LB	`34`	Short, SimbaSimba Short	1.0 !Fr
LB	`35`	Hruby, TomTom Hruby	5.0 !Jr
DB	`38`	Arowolaju, DamiDami Arowolaju	5.0 !Jr
S	`41`	McGee, JaredJared McGee	1.5 !Fr
LB	`42`	Jones, JosephJoseph Jones	3.5 !Jr
DL	`44`	Prather, JamesJames Prather	1.5 !Fr
LB	`45`	Fox, NathanNathan Fox	1.0 !Fr
LB	`46`	Pierce-Adams, AnthonyAnthony Pierce-Adams	1.5 !Fr
DB	`47`	Bergin, JoeJoe Bergin	1.0 !Fr
S	`48`	Odell, TommyTommy Odell	2.5 !So
LB	`49`	Roberts, JoshJosh Roberts	2.5 !So
LB	`51`	Prater, JaylenJaylen Prater	3.5 !Jr
LB	`53`	Queiro, CameronCameron Queiro	1.5 !Fr
DL	`54`	Goens, TrentTrent Goens	1.0 !Fr
LB	`55`	Smith, DrewDrew Smith	4.5 !Sr
LB	`56`	Walsh, BrettBrett Walsh	2.5 !So
DL	`58`	Reineke, HeathHeath Reineke	1.5 !Fr
DL	`67`	Lancaster, TylerTyler Lancaster	2.5 !So
DL	`90`	Robbins, C. J.C. J. Robbins	4.5 !Sr
DL	`92`	Playko, KentonKenton Playko	1.5 !Fr
DL	`93`	Kuhar, GregGreg Kuhar	3.5 !Jr
DL	`94`	Lowry, DeanDean Lowry	57.0 !Sr
DL	`95`	Thompson, JordanJordan Thompson	1.0 !Fr
DL	`97`	Gaziano, JoeJoe Gaziano	1.0 !Fr
DL	`98`	Washington, XavierXavier Washington	3.0 !So
DL	`99`	Oxley, BenBen Oxley	1.5 !Fr

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
K	`7`	Mitchell, JackJack Mitchell	3.5 !Jr
K, P	`33`	Micucci, MattMatt Micucci	3.5 !Jr
K	`38`	Omilian, ArthurArthur Omilian	4.5 !Sr
K	`38`	Weissenhofer, MasonMason Weissenhofer	1.0 !Fr
LS	`52`	Fitzpatrick, ChazChaz Fitzpatrick	3.5 !Jr
P, K	`96`	Niswander, HunterHunter Niswander	2.5 !So

Head coach

Pat Fitzgerald

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Randy Bates (Linebackers)
Jerry Brown (Defensive Backs)
Adam Cushing (Offensive Line)
Mike Hankwitz (Defensive Coordinator)
Bob Heffner (Superbacks)
Marty Long (Defensive Line)
Matt MacPherson (Running Backs / Recruiting Coordinator)
Mick McCall (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)
Dennis Springer (Wide Receivers)
Clay Bignell (Defensive Graduate Assistant)
Chris Bowers (Director of Player Personnel)
Cody Cejda (Director of Football Operations)
Darby Dunnagan (Director of Video Operations)
David Girardi (Defensive Graduate Assistant)
Dan Hernandez (Offensive Graduate Assistant)
Jay Hooten (Director of Sports Performance for Football)
Tommy Rees (Offensive Graduate Assistant)
Jacob Schmidt (Director of Player Development)
Troy Sutton (Assistant Director of Sports Performance for Football)
Mike Jasinski (Recruiting Intern)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster
Last update: December 30, 2015

References

↑ "B1G Releases 2015 Big Ten Football Schedule" (Press release). Northwestern University Department of Athletics. June 3, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
↑ "2015 Northwestern Wildcats Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 17, 2015.

Northwestern Wildcats football

Venues	Northwestern Field (1905–1925) Ryan Field (1926–present)

Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Illinois Notre Dame

Culture & lore	Willie the Wildcat "Go U Northwestern" Marching band 2006 Michigan State game

People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders

Seasons	1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

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