Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Auburn
'Cats Looking for Fourth Straight Bowl Win Friday
12/29/2020 11:56:00 AM | Football
| NORTHWESTERN FOOTBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION | ||||||
| DATE | Opponent | TIME | LOCATION | Live Stats | TELEVISION | RADIO |
| Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 | Auburn | Noon CT | Camping World Stadium (Orland, Fla.) |
Stats | ABC | AM-720 WGN Radio |
| 2020 VIRTUAL PRESS BOX | ||||||
EVANSTON, Ill.- No. 14 Northwestern closes out its season Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in the 75th VRBO Citrus Bowl, against Auburn in Orlando, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT on ABC and WGN 720.
NU enters its fifth bowl game in the last six years and 16th bowl in program history. This is the program's second berth in the Citrus Bowl and the first in nearly 25 years (1997 vs. Tennessee). The 'Cats have won three consecutive bowl games and a win on Friday gives NU a share of the longest active bowl win streak in the Big Ten (Minnesota; 4).
Following a six-win season in the Big Ten where NU defeated each of its divisional opponents for the second time in three years, the Wildcats appear in a New Year's Day bowl game for the first time since 2016 (Outback Bowl vs. Tennessee). This is Northwestern's seventh appearance in a Jan. 1st bowl game. Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald has been a member of the NU program for 12 of the 16 games, including 10 as the head coach and two as a player.
This is the second meeting all-time between the Tigers and Wildcats. The first matchup came at the 2010 Outback Bowl, where Auburn defeated NU, 38-35, in an overtime thriller. Former Wildcats quarterback and current Kansas City Chiefs coach Mike Kafka threw for a bowl and school-record 532 yards and four touchdowns, completing a program-best 47-of-78 passes.
Auburn finished its regular season at a 6-4 mark, including a victory over defending national champion, LSU. It is the Tigers eighth consecutive bowl appearance, 45th all-time and sixth in the Citrus Bowl. AU is tied with Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Penn State for the most appearances all-time in the historic New Year's Day bowl game.
STORYLINES:
Just One, Baby: Defensive Coordinator Mike Hankwitz is one win shy of reaching 400 career victories in his 51 seasons in college football. His defense held its opponents scoreless in the second half four times in Northwestern's eight games this season. Northwestern surrendered just under 16 points per game, which led the Big Ten and was fifth in the country.
Joseph Among Elite Company: Defensive back Brandon Joseph earned Associated Press All-America first team honors on Dec. 28. He was the only newcomer to be named on the nation's most distinguished list. Previously recognized as the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year by the outlet, Joseph has snatched a nation-leading six interceptions this season and is the first NU player to earn the distinction in a debut season since 1962. The College Station, Texas, native also became the first defensive player on Northwestern to earn the honor since Pat Fitzgerald did so in 1996.
Seniors Finishing Strong: Northwestern is the only school among Power Five programs to have three active players with at least 200 career total tackles. Seniors Paddy Fisher, Blake Gallagher and Chris Bergin have a combined 932 total tackles. Fisher, who was named as the Big Ten's Linebacker of the Year and to the AP's All-Big Ten first team, is the NCAA's active career leader in tackles (392) and forced fumbles (11).
