The Foundation: Expect Victory

EVANSTON, Ill. — When Gary Barnett was named Northwestern University's football coach prior to the 1992 season he began with a simple mantra for his program and its fans, "Expect Victory," and made a promise that he was going to, "Take the purple to Pasadena."

 

As part of the 25^th anniversary celebration of the Wildcats' unforgettable Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl season, Northwestern Athletics' Studio N has created a new, eight-episode season of its Emmy-Award winning series, The Foundation, to look back at a campaign that captivated the nation. 

 

The series showcases the games and key moments that led NU to the Big Ten title and its first trip to Pasadena in 47 years. Combining current-day interviews with 18 student-athletes, coaches, staff and media, along with game broadcasts and material from Northwestern's archives, the series provides a comprehensive look at the historic season, including new stories and rarely-seen footage.

 

 

The Foundation: Expect Victory debuts on NUSports.com on Wednesday, July 22, at 8 p.m. CT, with Northwestern's memorable season-opening upset of No. 9 Notre Dame in South Bend. Episodes 2-8 will air as part of a Big Ten Network marathon on Sunday, July 26, beginning at 1 p.m. CT. NBC Sports Chicago also will air the series later this fall. 

 

OVERVIEW

• Eighteen individuals interviewed, including student-athletes, coaches, staff and media.

• Series was created, produced and edited remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• More than 50 hours of interviews conducted. 

• Eight-episode series. 

• Big Ten Network to air episodes 2-8 on July 26.

• NBC Sports Chicago to air episodes at dates/times yet to be determined. 

 

EPISODE BREAKDOWN AND JULY AIR SCHEDULE

NUSports.com (Available on-demand via NUSports.com/TheFoundation through 7/26)

• Episode 1 (Notre Dame)                                 Weds. 7/22 – 8 pm CT

 

Big Ten Network (Television)

• Episode 2: (Miami (OH) & Air Force)               Sun. 7/26 – 1 p.m. CT

• Episode 3 (Indiana & Michigan)                       Sun. 7/26 – 2 p.m. CT

• Episode 4 (Minnesota & Wisconsin)                Sun. 7/26 – 3 p.m. CT

• Episode 5 (Illinois & Penn State)                     Sun. 7/26 – 4 p.m. CT

• Episode 6 (Iowa)                                              Sun. 7/26 – 5 p.m. CT

• Episode 7 (Purdue & Watch Party)                  Sun. 7/26 – 6 p.m. CT

• Episode 8 (Rose Bowl vs. USC)                      Sun. 7/26 – 7 p.m. CT

 

STUDENT-ATHLETES INTERVIEWED

D'Wayne Bates (WR) | David Beazley (WR) | William Bennett (S) | Paul Burton (P) | Justin Chabot (OL) | Casey Dailey (DE) |Pat Fitzgerald (LB) | Rob Johnson (OL) | Chris Martin (CB) | Mike McGrew (FB) | Brian Musso (WR) | Steve Schnur (QB) | Sam Valenzisi (K) 

 

COACHES, STAFF, MEDIA INTERVIEWED

Gary Barnett (Head Coach) | Jerry Brown (Assistant Coach) | Dave Eanet (Radio PxP) | Jeff Genyk (Director of Operations) | Brad Hurlbut (Sports Information) 

 

More information on The Foundation: Expect Victory, presented by Wintrust, can be found at NUSports.com/TheFoundation