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Those Silly Northwestern Games
Northwestern is one of those teams, for me personally, that strikes fear into my eyes. Not because of Dan Persa, or any other player on this year’s version of the Northwestern Wildcats, but because of how I was traumatized in 1995 (highlights, box score) and 1996 (highlights, box score). At the time, I was a little 12 year old who knew nothing more or less than Michigan dominating conference play and beating Ohio State.
So when these two losses struck my Wolverines, I was struck with some crazy Northwestern-ridden angst that comes back every time Michigan lines up against them. In ’95 and ’96 Michigan got off to such strong starts and were ranked #6 and #7 – with a team capable, and I stress capable, of making a nice run at the Big Ten championship and potentially a national championship.
It wasn’t to be. Those damn Northwestern Wildcats brought down Michigan two straight years. And it wasn’t like they dominated Michigan for four quarters and you walked away from the game thinking that Michigan had no business winning. Not in the slightest my friends. In 1995, Michigan led 6-0, then 13-9 as the 4th quarter started. In 1996, Michigan jumped out to a 16-0 (!) lead and were the victims of a 17 point fourth quarter from Northwestern.
Here’s part of the USA Today game recap from the ’96 game:
Brian Gowins kicked a 39-yard field goal with 13 seconds to play to lift number 22 Northwestern to a stirring 17-16 Big Ten Conference victory over sixth-ranked Michigan, its first home win over the Wolverines in 31 years.
Northwestern (4-1, 2-0) scored all its points in the final 13 minutes of the game and marched 58 yards in 1:45 before Gowins booted his second attempt from the left hashmark. An official’s whistle blew dead the first attempt, which would have been good.
Michigan (4-1, 2-1), which saw its national championship hopes take a major hit, had taken a 16-0 lead on three first-half field goals by Remy Hamilton and a three-yard touchdown run by Chris Howard in the third quarter.
If I am appropriately recalling this lovely fall October Saturday – I was glued to the ESPN score-ticker at the bottom of the screen as this game was not televised – at least not televised in Fishers, Indiana. I was hanging out at my buddies house across the street and I saw the final score. What was my next move? Remember, me and my youthful 12 year old mind were all-in on Michigan football, and losses were not taken lightly. Nowadays, losses are greeted with menacing words and disdain for play-calls, coaches, and you can never leave out the referees. On this day, I saw that score at the bottom of the TV and calmly, but swiftly, took the shortest path to my bed. I climbed up to my top bunk and had to let out all the emotions I had from the day and the Michigan loss. Dammit, I cried.
One year prior, this happened to a 7th ranked, undefeated Michigan squad:
Steve Schnur’s two-yard touchdown pass to Matt Hartl with 12:32 to play lifted number 25 Northwestern to a shocking 19-13 upset of seventh-ranked Michigan in a Big Ten Conference game at Ann Arbor.
The win ended a streak of 19 consecutive losses to Michigan (5-1, 1-1) dating back to 1965. Northwestern (4-1, 2-0) had not won at Ann Arbor since 1959.
“I don’t know where to start,” said Northwestern head coach Gary Barnett. “Our defense was relentless on fourth downs, on the goal line stands and on third down conversions. Our kids played hard.”
Northwestern defensive back Eric Collier set up the go-ahead score when he intercepted a pass from Brian Griese, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Michigan 31. Schnur’s touchdown pass gave the Wildcats a 16-13 lead.
Michigan’s final drive ended when Griese was intercepted by William Bennett on 4th-and-15 deep in Northwestern territory.
Here again, is an undefeated Michigan team going up against a Northwestern team capable of making things happen and scoring some points. So, Michigan fans, let’s all take some deep breaths before this Saturday night and hope our Wolverines take care of business and nobody has to relive those games from the mid-nineties where undefeated Michigan takes a dive.
OTHERWISE: Cool video. Even as the ND win escapes our memory with time, it’s still fun to take a look back when some new material pops up. A video from The Alumni Association from the Under The Lights day and evening inside Michigan Stadium.
