Northwestern University Athletics
Football Gets Ready for Michigan Game
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
October 12, 1998
NORTHWESTERN (2-4, 0-3) vs. Michigan (3-2, 2-0)
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 1998/6 p.m. CT
Site/Capacity: Ryan Field/47,129 (SOLDOUT)
Television: ESPN
Radio: WGN (720 AM)
Northwestern dropped to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten play after its comeback bid fell short in Iowa. The Wildcats were down 17-0, but stormed back to tie the game in the third quarter, 17-17. However, a questionable safety and a scrambling touchdown pass by the Hawkeye quarterback on their next possession sealed the 'Cats fate, 26-24.
NU's first score was set up by a 26-yard pass from Gavin Hoffman to John Burden. Although replays showed Burden to be in the end zone, the ball was spotted on the one-yard line. Two plays later, Damien Anderson scored his fourth TD of the season. On the 'Cats next possession, Brian Gowins made good on a 30-yard field goal attempt to trim the Iowa lead to seven points. In the process, Gowins became NU's all-time leading scorer. He currently has 226 points and surpassed Darnell Autry (222 points) for first place.
All-America candidate D'Wayne Bates caught a 66-yard TD pass from Hoffman to even the score at 17 in the third quarter. The Biletnikoff candidate caught six passes for 127 yards and made a spectacular 29-yard grab to set up NU's last TD. That came with a little over one minute left when Hoffman found Burden on a 25-yard fade pass.
Butkus Award candidate Barry Gardner led the defense with 22 tackles (14 solo), followed by Preston Letts who tied his career high of 12 stops. Gardner, who also had one interception and two TFLs versus Iowa, has now recorded double-figure tackles in 15 of his last 18 games and leads the Big Ten in tackles with 93.
The 'Cats take on Michigan this Saturday in a night game at Ryan Field. The ESPN matchup is slated for 6 p.m and it is homecoming weekend for Northwestern. The Wildcats have won two of the last three meetings against the Wolverines. Michigan is currently 3-2, 2-0 in Big Ten play. U-of-M has won its last three contests after dropping its first two games of the season.
Michigan SeriesSeries Record: UM leads, 45-13-2
First Meeting: 1892, NU won, 10-8
Last UM Win at NU: 1992, 40-7
Last NU Win at NU: 1996, 17-16
Current Series Streak: UM, 1 game
UMs Largest Margin of Victory: 69 pts., 69-0 in 1975
NUs Largest Margin of Victory: 31 pts., 55-24 in 1958
Head Coach Gary Barnett
Gary Barnett is in his seventh season at the helm of the Northwestern Wildcats after overseeing one of the most masterful program turnarounds in college football history. Hired in 1992, he took a school which hadn't enjoyed a winning season in 20 years, and in just four years had it sitting on the top of the world as Big Ten champs. The following year, Barnett proved to the naysayers that 1995 wasn't a fluke by repeating as Big Ten champions. The 52-year-old native of Lakeland, Fla., has won every major "Coach of the Year" award, and has compiled a 34-40-1 record at Northwestern.
Prior to eight seasons as an assistant at the University of Colorado, Barnett served as the head coach for Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., for two years beginning in 1982.
Barnett graduated from the University of Missouri in 1969 with a degree in social studies, and later earned a master's degree in education from his alma mater. At Missouri, he played wide receiver and participated in the 1966 Sugar Bowl and the 1968 Gator Bowl while with the Tigers.
Facts and Firsts Following Iowa
Brian Gowins became NU's all-time leading scorer. Gowins now has 226 career points, surpassing Darnell Autry who ended his NU career with 222 points.
Gowins also took over first place in field goals attempted. He now has 72 career attempts, two more than John Duvic.
Barry Gardner's 22 tackles on Saturday marked the 15th time in his last 18 games that he has recorded double-figures in stops.
Gardner upped his Big Ten-leading tackle total to 93.
Bates has caught a pass in his last 27-consecutive games, extending his NU record.
Four of Bates' six receptions went for first downs. This brings his career total to 110 of 168 (65.5).
Bates continues to lead the Big Ten in receptions per game (6.8).
Bates moved into the 8th spot in Big Ten history for career catches (168). He surpassed Purdue's Brian Alford (164) and is now tied with OSU's Cris Carter.
Bates now has 2,709 career receiving yards and moved up to the 8th spot in Big Ten history. He surpassed Minnesota's Tutu Atwell (2,640) and Michigan's Amani Toomer (26,57).
Sam Simmons (Fr.) has 13 offensive plays this season. Eight of those 13 have gone for first downs, including all five receptions.
Up Next
Following the Michigan contest, the Wildcats entertain the nation's top-ranked team, Ohio State. Game time for the ESPN2 broadcast has been set for 11:10 a.m. CT.
The Captains
As voted upon by their teammates and coaches, the captains for the 1998 Northwestern football team are wide receiver D'Wayne Bates, linebacker Barry Gardner, fullback Matt Hartl and offensive lineman Bryan LaBelle. All four are seniors.
Bates, who missed last season due to a broken leg suffered in the 'Cats victory over Oklahoma in the Pigskin Classic, led the Big Ten in receptions and reception yards in 1996 and was a Playboy All-American in 1997. Gardner is in his second duty as a captain, having served in the same capacity last year. The former walk-on led the Big Ten in total tackles in 1997 and was selected first-team All-Big Ten. Hartl, who was a major force in the Wildcats' drive to the Rose Bowl in 1995, will miss this season while undergoing chemotherapy to fight Hodgkin's Disease. This is his second bout with this form of cancer. LaBelle, a roommate of Hartl's, started in all 12 games last year at tight tackle.
First Time In Prime Time
A large number of Wildcats are seeing the field for the first time on offense and defense. A look by the numbers follows:
18 have logged playing time for the first time (12 Off., 6 Def.).
13 redshirt or true freshman have taken the field in 1998.
12 players have started for their first time this season.
7 offensive linemen are lining up for their first time.
5 redshirt or true freshman have earned starts, thus far.
Big Ten Tackle Leader
Two-time captain Barry Gardner finished 1997 first in the Big Ten in total tackles (174). He also led the conference in solo stops (112) and tackles per game (14.5). This year, he is off to a great start, leading the Wildcat defense to a smothering attack against UNLV. NU limited the Rebels to just 35 yards rushing and only eight first downs. The 'Cats also only allowed UNLV to convert two of its 13 third-down conversion attempts. Versus Duke, Gardner tallied 19 total tackles (15 solo stops) to lead NU. At Rice, the senior led all players with 20 tackles, 13 of which were solo efforts. In Madison, he again led both teams, tallying 14 total tackles (10 solo). Versus Illinois, Gardner again led the field, this time with 12 stops. At Iowa, he was everywhere, racking up 22 tackles (14 solo), two TFLs and one interception. He has now produced double figure tackle games in 15 of the last 18 contests.
The 1997 GTE Second-Team Academic All-American's 174 tackles was the fourth-best season total in NU history. Gardner currently has 386 career stops, good for fourth place on NU's career tackle list. William Bennett holds down the third spot with 418 tackles (1992-95).
Gardner's 93 tackles this year leads the Big Ten. The Butkus Award candidate's tackle line in 1998: UNLV (6), Duke (19), Rice (20), Wisconsin (14), Illinois (12) and Iowa (22).
D'Wayne Bates
All-Big Ten receiver D'Wayne Bates returned to the Wildcat lineup in dramatic fashion after missing most of 1997 with a broken leg. Against UNLV he caught nine passes for 156 yards and scored two touchdowns. In the process, he became the first Wildcat to record 11 games of 100 or more yards in receiving. He added to that record at Iowa, when he hauled in six receptions for 127 yards and one TD. The Big Ten Conference tabbed him the Offensive Player of the Week for his play against UNLV. Also this season, he became NU's all-time career receiving yards leader when he caught seven passes for 96 yards at Wisconsin. He currently leads the Big Ten in receptions per game (6.8). Below are a list of some of Bates' accomplishments as a Wildcat.
Bates has made at least one reception in his last 27-straight contests and 30 of 31 in his NU career. He has made at least four receptions in 19 of his last 23 games.
110 of his career 168 catches have been for first downs (65%).
Bates now has 168 catches in his NU career. This tally ranks second-best in NU history. The career record of 197 is held by Richard Buchanan (1988-90).
Bates is in first place on the all-time NU receiving list with 2,709 yards.
Bates has caught a pass in his last 27-consecutive games, first in the NU record book.
Bates set the NU single-season receiving mark in 1996 with 1,196 yards.
Although Bates has an NU record 12 career 100-yard receiving games, he also has recorded six other games where he has recorded between 90-99 yards receiving.
Bates ranks 8th in Big Ten history in career catches (168) and is just four receptions away from the fifth spot.
Bates' 2,709 career receiving yards also ranks 8th in Big Ten history. He is just 84 yards away from the 6th spot.
Bates On Pace
D'Wayne Bates is averaging 97.3 yards per game this season. If he keeps up that pace, he would end the year with 1,168 yards receiving, and it would give him 3,293 career receiving yards. That mark would be a new Big Ten record. The current conference mark of 3,195 was set from 1983-85 by Illinois' David Williams.
Gowins Kicks His Way Into Record Book
Brian Gowins, who led the Big Ten in field goals made last year (20), is methodically kicking his way to the top of a lot of the charts in the NU record book. Below are the records the first-team All-Big Ten performer holds or is close to breaking:
Career scoring: 226 points, first place.
Most points scored by a kicker: 226 points, first place.
Career field goals made: 49, first place
Career field goals attempted: 72, first place
Most field goals in a season: 20, first place.
Most consecutive games making a field goal: nine-consecutive games in 1997, first place.
Two or more field goals in a game: nine (season), 19 (career), first place.
Most field goals 40-yards or more: 17, first place.
Longest field goal: 52 yards, second on NU list, two yards shy of Nick Mirkopuloss 54 yarder in 1975
Biletnikoff Award
D'Wayne Bates has been named to the initial "Watch List" for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the nation's best college football receiver. A selection committee will pare down the list to 10 semifinalists in late October. This is the second year that Bates has been named to the Biletnikoff watch list.
Thorpe Award
Mike Nelson is one of 44 prospects for the 1998 Jim Thorpe Award given annually to the nation's best defensive back in college football. Three finalists will be invited to ESPN's College Football Awards Show, broadcast December 10 from Disney World.
Butkus Award
Barry Gardner is one of 68 players on the Butkus Award's initial watch list. The Butkus Award is given annually to the nations best collegiate linebacker. The list will be trimmed to 10 finalists on October 15 and three finalists will be announced via a national teleconference on November 12. The winner will be announced on December 11 at the Butkus Award Gala in Orlando.
Best Conditioned Athletes
Strength coach Larry Lilja is legendary at NU for the grueling workouts that he puts the Wildcats through. His top five conditioned players with their bench and 40-yard dash statistics are:
1) LB Barry Gardner: Bench (435), 40 Yard Dash (4.68)
2) DL Jeff Dyra: Bench (425), 40 Yard Dash (4.88)
3) FB Sean Bennett: Bench (375), 40 Yard Dash (4.51)
4) TE John Cerasani: Bench (404), 40 Yard Dash (4.97)
5) FS Rashad Morton: Bench (335), 40 Yard Dash (4.54)
Youth Movement
True freshmen who have played this season are Kevin Bentley, a linebacker from Van Nuys, Calif., Blake Henry, an offensive tackle from Towson, Md., Wayne Lucier, a tight end/offensive tackle from Salem, N.H., Billy Silva, a linebacker from San Diego, Calif., Sam Simmons, a wide receiver from Kansas City, Mo. and Rashidi Wheeler, a defensive back from Ontario, Calif.
Other players who might see action this season are: Pete Chapman, defensive line, Aurora, Colo., and Raheem Covington, defensive back, Pine Hill, N.J.
A Star Is Born
True freshman Sam Simmons is the brightest star of the 1998 recruiting class, thus far. Simmons, who is ranked fourth in the nation in kickoff returns, has turned quite a few heads in the 'Cats first six games. Of the 13 offensive plays he has held the ball this season (eight rushes, five receptions), eight have gone for first downs, including all five receptions. In addition, Simmons made a remarkable 46-yard TD grab at Wisconsin and had a 67-yard kick return at Rice. Below is a look at the wide receivers statistics:
Kick Returns: 11 for 363 yards, 33.0 average, long of 67
Receiving: five for 132 yards, 26.4 average, one TD, long of 46
Rushing: eight for 39 yards, 4.9 average, long of 11
Wildcats On The Tube
Since 1995, 38 of NU's 41 contests have been televised. In 1997, 11 of NU's games were selected for broadcast: Thus far this season, the Duke (ESPN Regional), Wisconsin (ESPN Regional), Illinois (ESPN Regional), Iowa (ESPN2) Michigan (ESPN) and Ohio State (ESPN2) games have already been selected for broadcast. The UNLV (Las Vegas T.V. 33) game was televised in its market only, while the Rice contest was not televised.
Since NU football was first televised on October 27, 1951, when the 'Cats entertained the Wisconsin Badgers at Northwestern, the Wildcats have been featured on 87 occasions.
Award Winners
Below is a list award winners, thus far, for the 1998 season:
DWayne Bates, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week -- 9/7
Brian Gowins, Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week -- 9/21
Nationally Ranked
The following Wildcats were ranked among the national leaders in the following categories:
Kickoff Return: Sam Simmons, 33.00 ypr -- 4th
Pass Receptions: DWayne Bates, 6.83 cpg -- 14th
Receiving Yards: DWayne Bates, 97.33 ypg -- 23rd
Punting: J.J. Standring, 43.36 avg. -- 18th
Field Goals: Brian Gowins, 1.33 fgpg -- (t) 22nd
As a team the Wildcats were ranked in the top 25 in the following categories:
Kickoff Returns: 25.4 avg. -- 13th
Total Defense: 330.0 ypg -- 34th
Pass Efficiency Defense: 52.25 comp. pct. -- 43rd
Scoring Defense: 23.3 avg. -- 48th
Net Punting: 37.3 net avg. -- 40th
The Champions
After the Iowa contest, the NU coaching staff named the following players as plaque winners of the weekly "Champion Club." O-Line: none; O-Back: John Burden; D-Line: None; D-Back: Barry Gardner; Kick: None; Rookie: Sean Wieber; Scout: Corbett Elsen.
The Gary Barnett Show
Look for The Gary Barnett Show Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 3:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Chicago. The show will be repeated at 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 14 and 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 15. Dave Eanet, the voice of Wildcat Football on WGN Radio, serves as the host.
A new feature this year is "Ask the Coach." Fans can send in their questions to Coach Barnett at nusports.com and if their question is read on the show, they will receive an Northwestern football cap courtesy of adidas and NU.
Lost In (Cyber) Space
Head coach Gary Barnett will take part in a live chat session each Wednesday from 7 to 7:15 p.m. during the football season. Fans can log on at nusports.com and go to the football page. The feature, which began on Wednesday, Sept. 9, was the most highly attended chat session that fansonly.com (nusports.coms web server) has ever had. Barnett was also the featured guest on America On-Line's Athlete Direct Prime last month.
