Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Gets the Preseason Nod From the Media
8/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 1, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced today that Northwestern has been chosen as the preseason football favorite in a vote by media members attending the Conference's media day. The Big Ten announces only the top three teams in its preseason poll.
The Wildcats finished the 2000 campaign with a share of the Big Ten title and have won three Conference championships (outright or shared) in the past six seasons. Head Coach Randy Walker's Wildcats return 10 starters from their high-scoring offense of last year, along with six starters on defense.
The announcement of the Wildcats as the preseason favorite by the media marks the first time since 1949 Northwestern has been put in that position.
Michigan, which joined Northwestern (and Purdue) at the top of last year's final regular season standings, finished second in the media poll. Ohio State, under the direction of new head coach Jim Tressel, was picked third.
In addition, Damien Anderson was named by the media as the Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year in the conference.
Anderson is the nation's leading returning rusher (171.9 yards per game) and the Big Ten's leading returning scorer (11.5 points per game) from a year ago. The Conference's only unanimous All-Big Ten pick in 2000, Anderson set Conference records for rushing yards in League-only games (1,549) and yards per game in Big Ten-only competition (193.6). He set NU's single-season records for rushing (2,063), yards per game, yards per carry (6.6), points (138), rushing touchdowns (23) and all-purpose yards (2,195). Anderson finished fifth last year in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Wisconsin tackle Wendell Bryant was selected the Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year.
