Northwestern to Play Utah in 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on December 23
12/3/2023 2:50:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern is headed to SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl for the first time in school history, it was announced on Sunday.
The Wildcats will face off against Utah at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, December 23. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm CT, with the game being aired on ABC. The game will also be heard throughout the country and overseas on all ESPN affiliated radio stations.
"We're incredibly thankful to the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl for selecting Northwestern to be a part of such a fantastic event," said Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun. "From the start of this season, this group's focus has been on writing its own story, and for our team to have the opportunity to step on the field together one more time is something we truly cherish. We're looking forward to the challenge of facing a very talented Utah team, and the chance to create another memorable chapter in our journey."
"What Coach Braun, our student-athletes and the entire football program have accomplished this season is simply outstanding," said Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg. "They have overcome adversity and defied the odds. It is an honor to be selected to play in this year's SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. Our entire Northwestern community is proud of this team and will be supporting our Wildcats on December 23."
Northwestern finished the 2023 season with a 7-5 record. Its six-win improvement from 2022 to 2023 is the largest win improvement by any FBS team this season. Since 2000, the Wildcats are one of just five teams to win six or more games the year after finishing 1-11.
The Wildcats will make their first bowl appearance since defeating Auburn, 35-19, in the 2021 Citrus Bowl. Northwestern enters the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on a four-game bowl winning streak (2016 Pinstripe Bowl, 2017 Music City Bowl, 2018 Holiday Bowl, 2021 Citrus Bowl), the second-longest bowl winning streak in the Big Ten behind Minnesota and tied for the fourth-longest in the nation.
Northwestern ended the season riding a three-game winning streak – taking down Wisconsin on the road for the first time since 2015, Purdue at Ryan Field to clinch bowl eligibility, and Illinois on the road in the regular season finale to reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy.
The Wildcats are led by newly permanent head coach David Braun, who was named the consensus Big Ten Coach of the Year on November 28. Braun joined Northwestern in January as the team's defensive coordinator, was named interim head coach for the 2023 season in July before ultimately being named the full-time Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach on November 15. Braun's seven wins are the most by a Northwestern head coach in their first season since 1903, while his five conference victories are the most by a first-year head coach in program history.
Nine different Northwestern players earned All-Conference postseason honors from the Big Ten Conference, the program's most honorees since 2020. Bryce Gallagher was named Second Team All-Big Ten, while Xander Mueller and Josh Priebe earned Third Team honors. Bryce Kirtz, A.J. Henning, Rod Heard II, Coco Azema, Aidan Hubbard, and Jack Olsen all earned honorable mention selections.
This will be the Wildcats' first-ever trip to Nevada for a bowl game. The last time the Wildcats headed out west for a bowl was the 2018 Holiday Bowl, when Northwestern stormed back with 28 points in the third quarter en route to a 31-20 win over No. 17 Utah.
Fans wanting to purchase tickets for the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl can do so on NUSports.com. Wildcat fans in the area can also be on the lookout for a pre-game tailgate registration in the coming days.
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The Wildcats will face off against Utah at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, December 23. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm CT, with the game being aired on ABC. The game will also be heard throughout the country and overseas on all ESPN affiliated radio stations.
"We're incredibly thankful to the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl for selecting Northwestern to be a part of such a fantastic event," said Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun. "From the start of this season, this group's focus has been on writing its own story, and for our team to have the opportunity to step on the field together one more time is something we truly cherish. We're looking forward to the challenge of facing a very talented Utah team, and the chance to create another memorable chapter in our journey."
"What Coach Braun, our student-athletes and the entire football program have accomplished this season is simply outstanding," said Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg. "They have overcome adversity and defied the odds. It is an honor to be selected to play in this year's SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. Our entire Northwestern community is proud of this team and will be supporting our Wildcats on December 23."
Northwestern finished the 2023 season with a 7-5 record. Its six-win improvement from 2022 to 2023 is the largest win improvement by any FBS team this season. Since 2000, the Wildcats are one of just five teams to win six or more games the year after finishing 1-11.
The Wildcats will make their first bowl appearance since defeating Auburn, 35-19, in the 2021 Citrus Bowl. Northwestern enters the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on a four-game bowl winning streak (2016 Pinstripe Bowl, 2017 Music City Bowl, 2018 Holiday Bowl, 2021 Citrus Bowl), the second-longest bowl winning streak in the Big Ten behind Minnesota and tied for the fourth-longest in the nation.
Northwestern ended the season riding a three-game winning streak – taking down Wisconsin on the road for the first time since 2015, Purdue at Ryan Field to clinch bowl eligibility, and Illinois on the road in the regular season finale to reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy.
The Wildcats are led by newly permanent head coach David Braun, who was named the consensus Big Ten Coach of the Year on November 28. Braun joined Northwestern in January as the team's defensive coordinator, was named interim head coach for the 2023 season in July before ultimately being named the full-time Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach on November 15. Braun's seven wins are the most by a Northwestern head coach in their first season since 1903, while his five conference victories are the most by a first-year head coach in program history.
Nine different Northwestern players earned All-Conference postseason honors from the Big Ten Conference, the program's most honorees since 2020. Bryce Gallagher was named Second Team All-Big Ten, while Xander Mueller and Josh Priebe earned Third Team honors. Bryce Kirtz, A.J. Henning, Rod Heard II, Coco Azema, Aidan Hubbard, and Jack Olsen all earned honorable mention selections.
This will be the Wildcats' first-ever trip to Nevada for a bowl game. The last time the Wildcats headed out west for a bowl was the 2018 Holiday Bowl, when Northwestern stormed back with 28 points in the third quarter en route to a 31-20 win over No. 17 Utah.
Fans wanting to purchase tickets for the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl can do so on NUSports.com. Wildcat fans in the area can also be on the lookout for a pre-game tailgate registration in the coming days.
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