Northwestern University Athletics
Fitzgerald, Uihlein Headline All-Big Ten Defensive, Special Teams Honors
12/3/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
ROSEMONT, Ill. — Nine Northwestern players earned All-Big Ten defensive and special teams honors, the conference announced on Wednesday.
The seven defensive honorees — Robert Fitzgerald, Mac Uihlein, Josh Fussell, Michael Kilbane, Braden Turner, Carmine Bastone and Anto Saka — are the program's most All-Big Ten defensive selections since the 2017 season. Jack Olsen and Luke Akers both received special teams all-conference nods.
Robert Fitzgerald | DB | 6-0 | 210 | RS-Jr.
All-Big Ten Second Team (Coaches), All-Big Ten Third Team (Media)
Fitzgerald posted a Big Ten-high 68 solo tackles in 12 starts this season. The Dallas native racked up 109 total tackles, 6.0 TFLs, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and an interception.
A natural run stopper, Fitzgerald led Big Ten defensive backs in tackles for loss. He is the conference's first defensive back to record at least 100 tackles and 6.0 TFLs since Godwin Igwebuike did so in 2016.
Mac Uihlein | LB | 6-1 | 230 | Gr.
All-Big Ten Third Team (Coaches and Media)
In his second season as a starter, Uihlein recorded 93 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, one forced fumble and four interceptions. He is one of just two FBS players in 2025 to post these figures.
The graduate student is the first Big Ten linebacker to tally at least 90 tackles, 6 TFLs and four picks since Del'Shawn Phillips did so in 2018. This is Uihlein's second consecutive season earning all-conference honors. The Lake Forest, Ill., native received an honorable mention nod last year.
Josh Fussell | DB| 6-0 | 195 | RS-So.
All-Big Ten HM (Coaches and Media)
Fussell registered 28 total tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and a team-high nine pass breakups in 10 starts. The Cincinnati native ranks third in the Big Ten in pass breakups and first among underclassmen in the conference.
The redshirt sophomore boundary corner is the third Wildcat to post at least 12 pass breakups as an underclassman since 2005, joining Greg Newsome II and Matthew Harris.
Michael Kilbane | DL| 6-5 | 275 | Jr.
All-Big Ten HM (Coaches and Media)
In a breakout junior season on the defensive line, Kilbane posted 39 stops, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Each marked career highs for Kilbane.
The Lakewood, Ohio, native racked up a season-high 2.0 tackles for loss in Northwestern's 38-35 comeback win over Minnesota on Nov. 22.
Braden Turner | DB| 5-11 | 195 | RS-Jr.
All-Big Ten HM (Media)
In 12 starts at nickel, Turner posted 50 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and three pass breakups. The redshirt junior set career highs in tackles, forced fumbles, interceptions and passes defended this season.
Turner turned in three tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup against Michigan on 11/25. He became the first Big Ten player to post these figures in a single game since the 2022 season.
Carmine Bastone | DL | 6-2 | 300 | Gr.
All-Big Ten HM (Media)
The former walk-on turned two-time captain recorded 28 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in his final regular season with the Wildcats. Bastone was awarded Northwestern No. 1 jersey in the preseason, the highest honor in the program as voted by his teammates.
After battling through injury to appear in the final seven games last season, Bastone flourished as he returned to full strength this season. He started all 12 games at defensive tackle this year.
Anto Saka | DL | 6-4 | 255 | RS-Jr.
All-Big Ten HM (Media)
The redshirt junior defensive lineman registered 13 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two QB hits in regular-season play. This marks Saka's second consecutive season taking home Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.
Saka is the first Wildcat to post at least 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and 14 tackles for loss in a career since Adetomiwa Adebawore did so from 2019-2022.
Luke Akers | P | 6'2" | 200 lbs | Gr.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (Coaches/Media)
Akers appeared in all 12 contests as Northwestern's standout punter, launching 32 punts for 1,452 yards throughout the season. The graduate student from Nashville, Tenn., booted nine punts over 50 yards and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line nine times. He let a season-long 59-yard punt fly against Oregon on Sept. 13 and averaged 45.38 yards per punt all season.
Akers provided valuable versatility on special teams, connecting on 3-of-3 field goal attempts and making 2-of-2 PATs. He filled in as a kickoff specialist 40 times, logging 2,499 kicking yards.
Jack Olsen | K | 5'10" | 195 lbs | Gr.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (Coaches/Media)
Olsen, Northwestern's ever-reliable kicker, made 19-of-21 field goals this season. Olsen's 19 makes on the season is tied for fourth in Wildcats history, and his 90.5% field goal percentage ranks fourth in the Northwestern record book. The graduate student from Wheaton, Ill., went a perfect 14-of-14 from 30+ yards, making him first NU kicker to be perfect on field goals of 30-49 yards in a season since Jeff Budzien (12-12) in 2012.
Olsen converted 20-of-20 PATs this year, continuing his impressive streak of 63 straight successful extra points. He earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors after a 3-for-3 outing at Penn State on Oct. 11.
