Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Northwestern Athletics
Fitzgerald Announces 2021 Team Captains
8/25/2021 1:10:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald announced on Wednesday that the 2021 team captains will be seniors Joe Spivak, Chris Bergin, Sam Gerak and Hunter Johnson as well as sophomore Brandon Joseph.
Spivak, a defensive tackle and a fullback, becomes a captain after earning the prestigious No. 1 jersey earlier in training camp. The No. 1 jersey in the Northwestern football program is used to recognize the student-athlete who truly embodies the values and character of the Northwestern football family. Spivak has appeared in 37 games during his career, including eight starts during the 2020 season. The Darien, Illinois, native had a career-best 14 tackles last season, while also playing on the offensive side of the ball as a fullback. Spivak is extremely active off the field, earning a spot on the 2020 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team for his work in raising funds and awareness for the Northwestern Uplifting Athletes chapter. This summer Spivak was named a nominee for the AFCA Goodworks Team and the Wuerffel Trophy (most impactful leaders in community service) watch list.
Bergin becomes captain as a graduate student after four years of experience at the linebacker position including 24 career starts. Bergin has totaled 227 tackles and 14.0 TFL in his career and has seven career games with 10+ tackles, including four in his senior season in 2020. Bergin racked up 78 tackles in nine games en route to a spot on the PFF and Phil Steele All-Big Ten third teams.
Gerak has been an integral part of Northwestern's offensive line, starting every game in the past two years including nine starts as the team's center in 2020. The Avon, Ohio native had a stellar performance in the Citrus Bowl against Auburn, and was named to the AP All-Bowl Team as the 'Cats racked up 457 yards of total offense against the Tigers. Gerak was a part a unit that made massive strides from in 2020 after his move to center. The offense gained over 60 more yards per game and allowed ten less sacks.
Johnson was named the Wildcats' starting quarterback last week, winning the role after an open competition. The Brownsburg, Ind. native and Clemson transfer appeared in six games with five starts in 2019 as a sophomore and threw for 432 yards.
Joseph becomes the second sophomore to be named a captain under Fitzgerald after linebacker Paddy Fisher in 2018. Joseph posted one of the best seasons of any defensive back in the country, let alone any first-years, and was named to the AP All-America First Team as well as a unanimous selection to the AFCA All-America First team. He was an AP All-Big Ten first team selection and named AP Big Ten Newcomer of the Year after tying for the most interceptions in the country. The safety was named an AP Preseason All-American.
Northwestern opens the 2021 season at Ryan Field on Friday, September 3, when Michigan State comes to town. Season and single game ticket information is available at NUSports.com.
A leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. Congratulations, men! The ultimate sign of trust from your teammates. #GoCats pic.twitter.com/VTCGyTbP8B
— Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) August 25, 2021
Spivak, a defensive tackle and a fullback, becomes a captain after earning the prestigious No. 1 jersey earlier in training camp. The No. 1 jersey in the Northwestern football program is used to recognize the student-athlete who truly embodies the values and character of the Northwestern football family. Spivak has appeared in 37 games during his career, including eight starts during the 2020 season. The Darien, Illinois, native had a career-best 14 tackles last season, while also playing on the offensive side of the ball as a fullback. Spivak is extremely active off the field, earning a spot on the 2020 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team for his work in raising funds and awareness for the Northwestern Uplifting Athletes chapter. This summer Spivak was named a nominee for the AFCA Goodworks Team and the Wuerffel Trophy (most impactful leaders in community service) watch list.
Bergin becomes captain as a graduate student after four years of experience at the linebacker position including 24 career starts. Bergin has totaled 227 tackles and 14.0 TFL in his career and has seven career games with 10+ tackles, including four in his senior season in 2020. Bergin racked up 78 tackles in nine games en route to a spot on the PFF and Phil Steele All-Big Ten third teams.
Gerak has been an integral part of Northwestern's offensive line, starting every game in the past two years including nine starts as the team's center in 2020. The Avon, Ohio native had a stellar performance in the Citrus Bowl against Auburn, and was named to the AP All-Bowl Team as the 'Cats racked up 457 yards of total offense against the Tigers. Gerak was a part a unit that made massive strides from in 2020 after his move to center. The offense gained over 60 more yards per game and allowed ten less sacks.
Johnson was named the Wildcats' starting quarterback last week, winning the role after an open competition. The Brownsburg, Ind. native and Clemson transfer appeared in six games with five starts in 2019 as a sophomore and threw for 432 yards.
Joseph becomes the second sophomore to be named a captain under Fitzgerald after linebacker Paddy Fisher in 2018. Joseph posted one of the best seasons of any defensive back in the country, let alone any first-years, and was named to the AP All-America First Team as well as a unanimous selection to the AFCA All-America First team. He was an AP All-Big Ten first team selection and named AP Big Ten Newcomer of the Year after tying for the most interceptions in the country. The safety was named an AP Preseason All-American.
Northwestern opens the 2021 season at Ryan Field on Friday, September 3, when Michigan State comes to town. Season and single game ticket information is available at NUSports.com.
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