B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

[BDawg35]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

tough blow losing Oke to the portal, but you rebounded nicely with some other additions. I love raiding conference opponents for players, adds that extra juice to a rivalry

Yeah, I'm hoping for some good storylines out of it when we play their former teams.

Stinks to lose Oke, but I want this to be real. Guys you'd like to keep leave in real life, even guys who were playing a lot. (I never checked to see where he ended up. Now I'm curious.)

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON PREVIEW




Ryan Boe returns for his third season as a starting quarterback at Northwestern.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP
After 3 middling seasons under B-Dawg,
Northwestern needs to show progress

EVANSTON, Ill. — It’s time to quit screwing around.

Usually after three seasons of a video game dynasty, there have been signs a program is on its way to greatness.

But through B-Dawg’s first three seasons at Northwestern, the Wildcats have played in three podunk bowl games and have had long losing streaks late in each season. There have been bright moments, like an upset of No. 1 Oregon in 2025, but there have been low moments, like losses to Miami of Ohio and Western Michigan of the Mid-American Conference.

Last year’s team had to win its regular-season finale just to become bowl eligible.

A major reason for the struggles has been B-Dawg’s inability to pass the ball. He’s thrown 42 touchdown passes and 49 interceptions through three seasons.

His preferred method of transportation has been on the ground, but the automatic holding penalties that are triggered whenever the sprint button is hit with a running back going around the edge and the inability to run consistently have forced too many passing situations. And we’ve seen how that’s turned out.

Will there finally be signs of progress in B-Dawg’s fourth season?

The Wildcats return most of their top offensive players in quarterback Ryan Roe, running back Nazir Kush and receivers Jaylen Love and Carson Grove. Hopefully their progression and experience will pay off with fewer turnovers and more end zone celebrations.

B-Dawg will typically load up his nonconference schedule, because he has little fear he will actually lose playing a video game with weak sliders. But it’s not even a given he can beat MAC teams, so he’s put two cupcakes on the nonconference schedule. The marquee matchup, if it can be called that, is against 2026 playoff qualifier Iowa State in the second game.

In other news heading into the 2027 season, B-Dawg created the new Pac-12 Conference, adding Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State from the Mountain West to remaining original members Washington State and Oregon State.










FIRST TEAM
QB, Austin Novosad, Oregon, rSr.
HB, Kam Davis, Florida State, rJr.
HB, KD Daniels, Florida, Sr.
WR, Jordan Shipp, North Carolina, Sr.
WR, Braylon James, Texas Christian, rSr.
WR, T.J. Moore, Clemson, Sr.
TE, Andrew Rappleyea, Penn State, rJr.
LT, J’ven Williams, Penn State, rSr.
LG, Spencer Coker, Georgia, rFr.
C, Devyn Poutasi, Michigan, Jr.
RG, Austin Goldberg, Michigan, Jr.
RT, Fletcher Westphal, Florida, rJr.
LE, Mylachi Williams, Penn State, rJr.
RE, Tim Booker, Wisconsin, Jr.
DT, Stephiylan Green, Clemson, rSr.
DT, Justin Scott, The U, Sr.
LOLB, Derion Gullette, Texas, rSr.
MLB, Scott Sizer, Oklahoma, Soph.
ROLB, Elijah Newby, USC, rJr.
CB, Marcelles Williams, USC, rJr.
CB, Damari Brown, The U, rSr.
FS, Vaboue Toure, Penn State, Sr.
SS, Peyton Woodyard, Oregon, Sr.
K, Grant Meadors, Oregon, rSr.
P, Storm Bettis, Nebraska, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Jadyn Davis, Michigan, rJr.
HB, Treyaun Webb, Florida, rSr.
HB, Caden Durham, LSU, Sr.
WR, Ryan Williams, Alabama, Sr.
WR, Perry Thompson, Auburn, Sr.
WR, Shelton Sampson, LSU, rSr.
TE, Jay Lindsey, Alabama, rJr.
LT, Soane Faasolo, Washington, rSr.
LG, Olaus Alinen, Alabama, rSr.
C, Cooper Cousins, Penn State, rJr.
RG, Kellen Smith, Georgia, rSr.
RT, Bo Hughley, Georgia, rSr.
LE, Marqueze Parker, Cincinnati, rJr.
RE, Hunter Osborne, Alabama, rSr.
DT, Daevin Hobbs, Tennessee, rSr.
DT, Sean Sevillano, Notre Dame, rJr.
LOLB, Gabe Williams, Virginia Tech, Sr.
MLB, Ty’Anthony Smith, Texas, Sr.
ROLB, Orlando Cotton, Florida, Jr.
CB, Ify Obidegwu, Oregon, rJr.
CB, Shakim Howard, Nebraska, rJr.
FS, Kennedy Urlacher, Notre Dame, rJr.
SS, Kyline Jackson, LSU, rSr.
K, Nolan Hauser, Clemson, rJr.
P, Declan Duley, Illinois, rSr.




FIRST TEAM
QB, Austin Novosad, Oregon, rSr.
HB, Frederick Cooks, Oregon, Jr.
HB, Chauncey Carpenter, Penn State, rSr.
WR, Edward Trufant, USC, rSoph.
WR, Avery Kellum, Iowa, Jr.
WR, Jacory Barney, Nebraska, rJr.
TE, Andrew Rappleyea, Penn State, rJr.
LT, J’ven Williams, Penn State, rSr.
LG, Abdul Whitehead, Penn State, rJr.
C, Devyn Poutasi, Michigan, Jr.
RG, Austin Goldberg, Michigan, Jr.
RT, Blake Frazier, Michigan, Sr.
LE, Mylachi Williams, Penn State, rJr.
RE, Tim Booker, Wisconsin, Jr.
DT, Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, rSr.
DT, Troy Regovich, Northwestern, rJr.
LOLB, Cole Sullivan, Michigan, Sr.
MLB, Spencer Pelshak, Penn State, rSoph.
ROLB, Elijah Newby, USC, rJr.
CB, Marcelles Williams, USC, rJr.
CB, Ify Obidegwu, Oregon, rJr.
FS, Vaboue Toure, Penn State, Sr.
SS, Peyton Woodyard, Oregon, Sr.
K, Grant Meadors, Oregon, rSr.
P, Storm Bettis, Nebraska, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Jadyn Davis, Michigan, rJr.
HB, James Peoples, Ohio State, Sr.
HB, Kamari Moulton, Iowa, rSr.
WR, Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Sr.
WR, Jeremiah McClellan, Oregon, Sr.
WR, Ryan Pellum, Oregon, rJr.
TE, Brady Prieskorn, Michigan, Sr.
LT, Soane Faasolo, Washington, rSr.
LG, Ronnie Baldridge, Michigan, Jr.
C, Cooper Cousins, Penn State, rJr.
RG, Jacques Mauldin, Ohio State, Jr.
RT, Ezekiel Semple, Michigan, rSoph.
LE, Aydin Breland, Oregon, Sr.
RE, Elijah Rushing, Oregon, Sr.
DT, Jericho Johnson, Oregon, rJr.
DT, Jide Abasiri, USC, rJr.
LOLB, Preston Ries, Iowa, rJr.
MLB, Isaiah Chisom, Oregon, rSr.
ROLB, Garrett Stover, Ohio State, Sr.
CB, Shakim Howard, Nebraska, rJr.
CB, Teegan Davis, Iowa, rSr.
FS, Kerry Brown, Minnesota, rSr.
SS, Antonio Gaskins, Michigan, Sr.
K, Tyler Robles, USC, rSr.
P, Declan Duley, Illinois, rSr.


Note: I dropped the ball and never took down the preseason Heisman hype list. DOH!

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON - GAME 1




Getting a chance to see this glorious uniform is why Northwestern opened the season at Florida International.


Northwestern receiver Jaylen Love makes a 52-yard reception.


Northwestern safety Sean Martin returns an interception he took 57 yards for a touchdown.


Northwestern safety Tito Williams picks off a pass while Florida International receiver Jonathan Alexis appears
oblivious in the end zone.


Northwestern running back Nazir Kush is gone on a dynasty-record 89-yard touchdown run.


Northwestern receiver Carson Grove grabs a 6-yard touchdown pass.


Northwestern linebacker Jojo Hayden intercepts a pass.

KUSH’S RECORD DAY
Sophomore HB sets two rushing marks
in Northwestern’s opening win at FIU

VICE CITY, Fla. — Northwestern coach B-Dawg hoped to see sophomore running back Nazir Kush take the next step after a strong freshman season.

So far, so good.

Kush could be heading for a truly special season if his 2027 debut is any indication.

The 5-foot-10, 231-pound power back set two dynasty rushing records during a 56-13 rout of Florida International on Aug. 28, 2027.

Kush ran 20 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was an 89-yard run just 22 seconds into the second half.

He broke the dynasty record of 206 yards set by Cam Porter at Maryland on Oct. 11, 2024. His 89-yard touchdown is the longest run in this dynasty, bettering a 57-yarder by Porter against Wisconsin on Oct. 19, 2024.

“What a great first impression for this season,” B-Dawg said. “Yes, I’m aware we were playing Florida International and not the other school in Miami, but 250 yards is 250 yards. If Kush can stay healthy and stay on the field, he could have some huge numbers this year. We’ll certainly keep feeding him if he keeps this up.”

Kush ran 322 times for 1,255 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman. It’s a bit early to start talking about all-time records, but just an FYI that B-Dawg’s career rushing record is 6,192 by the great Joey McBride of Michigan in only three seasons from 2013-15 in NCAA 2005.

Kush’s numbers against Florida International could have been even more eye-popping had B-Dawg not subbed in some other backs after taking a 42-6 lead through three quarters. Kush had 140 yards on 16 carries by halftime, then made it 229 yards on 17 carries with his first carry of the first half.

On the Wildcats’ first play following a holding penalty, they went to the obscure Monster formation on first-and-19. Florida International had only two defenders in the middle of the field and nobody crashed down when the ball was handed off to Kush, who took off up the middle and saw nothing but green grass.

“We have the option of throwing a quick pass to the outside receiver with two guys blocking on either side in front of him,” B-Dawg said. “I’ll do that if the defense puts at least four players in the box. They had only two, which can be like stealing yards at times. It’s only cheese if you can’t stop it.”

Linebacker Jojo Hayden and safeties Sean Martin and Tito Williams had interceptions for the Wildcats. Martin took his 57 yards to the house.

Perhaps the interception issues of quarterback Clayton Dees is why the Panthers still ran the ball 22 times with halfback Jahleel Tolson, even though they trailed the whole game.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Idrys Cotton 6 pancakes, 0 sacks; Trayvon Riggins 5-0; Nick Stoddard 4-0; Brandon Henderson 3-0; Tobias Lamm 2-0; Taylor Jackson 2-0; Rafael York 2-0; DeWayne Flowers 2-0; Kyle Baity 1-0; Nazir Kush 1-0; Deon Barry 1-0; Hunter Schilens 1-0; Simon Silva 1-0; Shawn Boyett 1-0; Kerry Hanoian 1-0.

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON - GAME 2




Northwestern’s Enrique Swaim kicks the winning 18-yard field goal with 12 seconds left.


Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe celebrates a touchdown run.


Northwestern linebacker Jojo Hayden breaks up a pass in the end zone.


Northwestern safety Tito Williams intercepts a pass and looks to see if he has room for a return.


Northwestern lineman Izaiah Bush picks off a pass dropping back into coverage.


Iowa State’s Channing Brumfield scoops up a fumble he returned for a touchdown.


Iowa State running back Dylan Lee dives into the end zone.

ESCAPING WITH DUB
Northwestern blows 17-point lead,
beats Iowa State on late field goal

EVANSTON, Ill. — Looking for a football game with some statistical oddities?

We’ve got one for you.

Has there ever been a game in which two teams combined to throw for 657 yards, but had no touchdown passes?

How about one in which two defensive ends (Iowa State’s Jace Gilbert and Northwestern’s Izaiah Bush) had interceptions, but no tackles?

Maybe this one isn’t that out of the ordinary, but how about a quarterback who ran eight times for 14 yards but had three rushing touchdowns?

Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe had three short touchdown runs on QB Blast from a five-wide formation but didn’t find the end zone with any of his 351 passing yards during a 27-24 victory over ninth-ranked Iowa State on Sept. 4, 2027.

“We are a dink-and-dunk team, so I’m not surprised we didn’t throw a touchdown pass,” Northwestern coach B-Dawg said. “But the CPU is known to get at least one big strike a game against us. We were able to keep everything in front of us and do that bend-don’t-break thing.”

It was a victory the Wildcats appeared to have well in hand, but nearly blew. They led 24-7 heading into the fourth quarter, only to have the game tied on a field goal, touchdown run and Channing Brumfield’s 26-yard return of a fumble by Boe with 2:16 left in the game. Boe had dropped back to pass on third-and-long and tried to wait out a receiver who was crossing over the middle of the field.

Northwestern responded by going 71 yards in 12 plays, getting a game-winning 18-yard field goal from Enrique Swaim with 12 seconds left.

Iowa State’s Kai Black caught a 45-yard pass at the end of the game, but the Cyclones didn’t have time to kick a field goal.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Trayvon Riggins 10 pancakes, 0 sacks; Brandon Henderson 8-0; Simon Silva 5-0; Dewayne Flowers 3-0; Shawn Boyett 3-0; Kyle Baity 2-0; Idrys Cotton 2-0; Kerry Hanoian 1-0; Nick Stoddard 1-0; Jaelen Camarda 1-0; Rafael York 1-0.

[redsox907]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

Whew, closer than it needed to be against ISU. Nice job recovering from the fumble and moving to 2-0

[BDawg35]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

Whew, closer than it needed to be against ISU. Nice job recovering from the fumble and moving to 2-0

I thought I was going to literally hand them that game. It's bad enough being in third and long, knowing I probably don't have the ability to throw for it, but then getting the sack/fumble/TD combo thrown in was infuriating.

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON - GAME 3




Kennesaw State receiver Destun Thomas grabs one of his two long touchdown passes in the second quarter.


Northwestern running back Nazir Kush ran 30 times for 154 yards and three touchdowns.


Kennesaw State quarterback Dionte Toure coughs up the ball.


Northwestern cornerback Soni Motuapuaka intercepts a pass.

SPD KILLZ
Kennesaw State’s speedy receiver burns
Wildcats twice, but Northwestern wins

EVANSTON, Ill. — Kennesaw State was everyone’s chic pick for dynasty mode when College Football 25 was about to release, at least for everyone who enjoys a rebuilding job with a bottom-feeder.

So, Kennesaw State is the last place one would expect to find a talent like wide receiver Destun Thomas.

Thomas is nothing special in real life, but somehow has a 99 SPD rating, which is absolutely lethal on the virtual gridiron.

Thomas showed off his wheels with touchdown catches of 87 and 83 yards in the second quarter against Northwestern on Sept. 11, 2027, but the Owls could offer nothing else by way of resistance in a 38-14 loss.

The 83-yard catch by Thomas with 34 seconds left in the first half cut Northwestern’s lead to 28-14 at the break. He finished with 209 yards on five catches, an average of 41.8 yards per catch.

In real life, Thomas played sparingly in two seasons at Memphis before transferring to Kennesaw State. He had only one catch for 19 yards in real life during the 2024 season.

You would think he was a state track and field champion in high school, but the exhaustive database for the sport (Athletic.net) shows him running in only two 800-meter relay races as a junior at Cleveland High School in Tennessee in 2021.

“I don’t care what other attributes a player has,” Northwestern coach B-Dawg said. “When I see 99 SPD on the other side of the field, I get really nervous.”

Both of Thomas’ touchdowns were on one-play drives. He caught a screen pass on the left side for the first one, with the Wildcats taking bad angles that made it impossible to catch him. The second one was a deep ball.

Northwestern (3-0) was able to counter with more weapons and a defense that could shut down anything else the Owls (0-2) tried.

Nazir Kush ran 30 times for 154 yards and three touchdowns, while three receivers had at least 65 yards.

Northwestern now goes into two bye weeks, a result of some shoddy schedule-making by B-Dawg.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Brandon Henderson 9 pancakes, 1 sack; Trayvon Riggins 6-0; Shawn Boyett 6-1; Idrys Cotton 5-0; Deon Barry 3-0; Dewayne Flowers 3-0; Simon Silva 3-0; Nick Stoddard 3-0; Jaelen Camarda 2-0; Rafael York 1-0; Hayden Eligon 1-0.

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON - GAME 4




Northwestern safety Tito Williams had two interceptions.


Northwestern running back Jakori McFarland scores on a 13-yard run late in the game.


Northwestern defensive tackle Zack Cobb had 2.5 sacks.


Cornerback Jameel Croft grabs the first of Northwestern’s three interceptions.


Northwestern receiver Hayden Eligon heads to the end zone with a touchdown catch.


Northwestern receiver Kerry Hanoian grabs a touchdown catch.

NEXT MANG UP!
McFarland will have to shoulder load
after Kush goes down in win vs. U-Dub

EVANSTON, Ill. — For the rest of the regular season, it’s going to be the Jakori McFarland Show at running back for Northwestern’s football team.

The unbeaten Wildcats paid a dear price during their 24-7 victory over Washington on Oct. 2, 2027, losing No. 1 running back Nazir Kush for the next 11 weeks with a dislocated elbow.

Based on that timeline, Kush could return if the Wildcats qualify for a bowl game, something that appears certain now that they are off to a 4-0 start.

Outside linebacker Carl Sermon won’t be so lucky. He was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

McFarland, a junior, has experience in high-leverage situations for Northwestern. He ran 117 times for 482 yards and five touchdowns two years ago when Joseph Himon had an early season-ending injury and Caleb Komolafe was prone to going to the sidelines with minor injuries.

With Kush getting 322 carries for 1,255 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman last year, McFarland’s workload dropped to 32 carries for 121 yards and three scores.

Kush suffered his injury early in the third quarter. By then, the Wildcats were cruising along with a 17-0 lead.

After Washington (2-4) scored its only touchdown with 3:31 left in the game, McFarland helped ease the nerves of Wildcat Nation by breaking tackles and powering his way into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown with 1:44 remaining. McFarland ran 14 times for 73 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

“Jakori has been called upon in big situations before,” B-Dawg said. “I’m bummed to lose Nazir, because I was looking forward to racking up huge career numbers with him, but our backfield is in good hands as long as Jakori is healthy. It gets thin after that.”

Northwestern jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter when Ryan Boe threw short touchdown passes to Kerry Hanoian and Hayden Eligon.

Hanoian’s touchdown came on Northwestern’s first drive and Eligon’s came on the second after Jameel Croft grabbed the first of three interceptions by the Wildcats. Safety Tito Williams had the other two picks.

By the time Enrique Swaim gave Northwestern a 17-0 lead with a second-quarter field goal, Northwestern had a 158-4 advantage in total offense, 11-0 in first downs and 14:25 to 1:10 in time of possession.

Defensive tackle Zack Cobb beasted out, getting 2.5 sacks and four tackles for losses.

The trajectory of Northwestern’s season could be determined the next two weeks with games against Ohio State and unbeaten Wisconsin.

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON - GAME 5




Northwestern safety Tito Williams breaks up a deep ball intended for Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith.


Northwestern safety Tito Williams grabs his third interception in the last two games.


Northwestern receiver Jaylen Love makes a diving touchdown catch.


Third-string Northwestern running back Carl Erdman runs for a touchdown.


Northwestern safety Lamar Bakhtiari intercepts a pass.

WHERE’S JEREMIAH?
Buckeyes fail to use elite receiver,
pay for it in loss to Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. — When the virtual version of Jeremiah Smith played like the real version against Northwestern in 2024, B-Dawg was terrified of what could await when his Wildcats played an even more experienced version of the star Ohio State receiver in the coming years.

Fortunately for B-Dawg, Ohio State’s CPU coach made the same mistake Ryan Day made against Michigan in real life in 2024.

Trying to prove how tough the Buckeyes were, Day tried to run the ball into the strength of the Michigan defense and forgot about the mismatches he had on the outside. As a result, he gift-wrapped an upset for the Wolverines, a mistake he wouldn’t make once the College Football Playoff arrived.

By forgetting they had a supreme talent in Smith, the Buckeyes made life much easier for 24th-ranked Northwestern in a stunning 24-8 victory over 23rd-ranked Ohio State on Oct. 9, 2027.

Smith had only two catches for 27 yards, the longest being a 15-yarder. In last year’s 7-3 Ohio State victory over the Wildcats, he had only two catches for 11 yards, the longest going for eight yards.

It’s as if Ohio State’s CPU coach forgot how utterly dominant Smith was the first time the teams met in this dynasty. Smith had touchdown catches of 58 and 91 yards in the first half, finishing with five catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s 38-14 victory.

“It was a huge relief not having to chase Jeremiah Smith down the field on deep balls,” B-Dawg said. “Our job became a lot easier.”

It’s incredible to think that Northwestern’s defense has held Ohio State to only 15 points in the last two meetings.

The difference this time around, compared to the first two matchups with the Buckeyes, was that the Northwestern offense showed a pulse.

In a virtual carbon copy of last week’s victory over Washington, Northwestern jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead and just let the clock bleed out in the second half.

Northwestern converted a fourth-and-13 from the Ohio State 33 and a fourth-and-inches on the final play as quarterback Ryan Boe scored on QB Blast to open the scoring. It was a marathon 20-play, 79-yard march that consumed 8:12, effectively keeping Smith and Co. on the sideline as spectators.

Ohio State did attempt one deep ball for Smith on third-and-12 early in the second quarter. As B-Dawg held his breath, safety Tito Williams broke up the pass. Williams had an outstanding game, also breaking up a pass to Smith in the end zone and grabbing his third interception in the last two games.

The Wildcats got the ball back after the Buckeyes’ failed deep ball and went up 14-0 when third-string running back Carl Erdman scored on a 3-yard run while Jakori McFarland was nursing an injury.

McFarland, starting because sophomore Nazir Kush is out 11 weeks, ran 26 times for 126 yards.

The Buckeyes (4-2), rated 91 across the board, never posed a serious threat. The score became 24-0 on a 4-yard pass from Boe to Jaylen Love before the Buckeyes averted the shutout with 7:02 left in the game on a 2-yard pass from Lincoln Kienholz to Max LeBlanc.

Northwestern was 4-for-4 on fourth down, going 7-for-7 on fourth in the last three games.

“I realize that only in a video game could Northwestern beat Ohio State 24-8, but I’ll take it,” B-Dawg said. “On to Wisconsin.”

The Wildcats will take a 5-0 record into Madison to face a 6-0 Wisconsin team in a game that looms large in the Big Ten Conference and playoff races.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Simon Silva 16 pancakes, 0 sacks; Brandon Henderson 8-0; Trayvon Riggins 6-0; Shawn Boyett 5-0; Taylor Jackson 5-0; Idrys Cotton 4-0.


RANKINGS HEADING INTO WISCONSIN GAME

[redsox907]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

There we go!!! 5-0 start with a dominating upset over Ohio State

[BDawg35]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

There we go!!! 5-0 start with a dominating upset over Ohio State

I don't fear the big boys when I fire up a game against them like I did in the beginning. If I just play a smart, relatively error-free game, I can hang.

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON - GAME 6




Wisconsin quarterback Mabrey Mettauer appears to be sacked by Northwestern defensive end Dennis Rahouski …


… but he got off a game-winning 70-yard touchdown pass to Kam Adams-Parker with 1:02 left in the game.


Wisconsin cut Northwestern’s lead to 33-28 by hauling in a 36-yard touchdown pass on third-and-27 with 3:35 left.


Thomas Heiberger sealed Wisconsin’s victory by intercepting a pass with 45 seconds left.


Carson Grove scores on an 11-yard pass to give Northwestern a 33-21 lead in the third quarter.


Carl Erdman celebrates a third-quarter touchdown run.


Northwestern’s Jakori McFarland was having a big game before injuries limited him in the second half.


Northwestern safety Lamar Bakhtiari celebrates a fumble recovery.


Wisconsin quarterback Mabrey Mettauer was easier to sack when two guys got to him.


Northwestern coach B-Dawg nearly has a Woody Hayes moment when he pushes a Wisconsin player.

!!?#!&@!!!?
Wisconsin's total B.S. play vanquishes
Northwestern in clash of unbeatens

MADISON, Wis. — B-Dawg learned a valuable (expensive) lesson years ago while playing Tiger Woods Golf.

It was a moment in which he realized why he doesn’t play real golf; he doesn’t have the temperament for it.

After one particularly frustrating shot, B-Dawg had enough and chucked his PlayStation 2 controller, breaking it in the process.

Having been out $50 getting a new controller, B-Dawg learned to rein in the emotions and just scream profanities like a normal rational person rather than destroying a costly piece of equipment.

That approach was put to the extreme test when B-Dawg took his 20th-ranked Northwestern Wildcats to Camp Randall Stadium to face 10th-ranked Wisconsin in a battle of unbeatens on Oct. 16, 2027.

What transpired would send any gamer into a fit of rage, possibly enough to destroy a controller in the process.

B-Dawg wanted to throw his controller — did he ever.

But a PlayStation 5 controller is a $75 investment, so what was a stupid move (by a grown adult, we might add) two decades ago would be even more senseless now.

And there was still time for B-Dawg to overcome one of the most B.S. robo-QB comeback-cheat-code moments he’d ever experienced.

With Wisconsin facing third-and-four at its own 30-yard line and trailing 33-28, Mabrey Mettauer dropped back to pass. Defensive end Dennis Rahouski charged at him and wrapped him up high, ready to take him down for a sack.

But not only did Mettauer miraculously bounce off the sack attempt, he was able to throw a perfect dime down the middle of the field to senior receiver Kam Adams-Parker for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 1:02 left in the game.

When Thomas Heiberger intercepted a Ryan Boe pass on Northwestern’s second play of the next drive with 45 seconds remaining, the Badgers improved to 7-0 with a 34-33 come-from-behind victory.

Northwestern had 33-21 lead with less than four minutes remaining before Mettauer threw two of his four touchdown passes in the game. A 36-yarder to Hunter Doss on third-and-27 (!!), into double coverage no less, with 3:35 left made it a one-possession game.

“The fix was in,” B-Dawg said. “When they convert third-and-27, then have a quarterback bounce off a sack to throw the winning touchdown, you know there was no way the game was allowing you to win. But no excuses, other than the game screwed us over.”

Big plays by the Badgers’ passing game killed the Wildcats (5-1). Mettauer had touchdown passes of 38, 31, 36 and 70 yards.

Wisconsin took a 21-20 lead early in the third quarter before Northwestern got a 3-yard run from Carl Erdman and a 11-yard pass from Boe to Carson Grove to take a 33-21 lead with 2:34 left in the third.

Northwestern was unable to drain the clock in between Wisconsin’s fourth-quarter touchdowns. On third-and-13, the Badgers hit Boe as he attempted a screen pass that fell harmlessly to the ground. The Badgers took over at their own 24 with 1:49, scoring in three plays.

Northwestern tried to grind it out on the ground, nearly having two 100-yard rushers. Jakori McFarland ran 18 times for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Carl Erdman ran 20 times for 95 yards and score. McFarland ran 15 times for 87 yards in the first half, but was sidelined with injuries most of the second half.

Getting stopped twice inside the 5-yard line and settling for field goals ultimately cost Northwestern the game, as did a missed 2-point conversion.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Trayvon Riggins 12 pancakes, 0 sacks; Shawn Boyett 9-1; Brandon Henderson 7-0; Alex Estes 4-0; Simon Silva 2-0; Taylor Jackson 1-0.

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON - GAME 7




Northwestern receiver Carson Grove stops short of the goal line, not wanting to score too soon, but …


… Grove is pushed across the goal line for a winning touchdown with 1:20 left.


It became moot when UCLA quarterback Dermaricus Davis was sacked by Dennis Rahouski for a safety after
retreating 18 yards with 29 seconds left.


UCLA receiver Tony Garvin scores one of his two touchdowns, despite the best efforts of Northwestern’s Izaiah
Bush.


Northwestern defensive end Braxton Strong falls on a fumble.


Northwestern linebacker George Dennis returns an interception for a touchdown.


Northwestern’s Larry Hurley has his punt blocked.

WRONG-WAY DAVIS
Safety on UCLA QB’s 18-yard retreat
seals 37-28 victory for Northwestern

PASADENA, Calif. — Maybe you old-timers will get the references, but here we go …

“Marshall is running the wrong way!”

That, of course, is a reference to defensive end Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings picking up a fumble and running the wrong way in a 1964 game against San Francisco. Instead of a touchdown, he scored a safety for the 49ers.

Then there was Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese dropping back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI at the end of the 1971 season. Griese kept dropping back and was in full retreat until Bob Lilly tackled him for a 29-yard loss.

Those are two of the most head-scratching examples of a player running in reverse in NFL history.

UCLA fans basking in the sunshine at the Rose Bowl had to wonder what the heck was going on when Bruins quarterback Demaricus Davis seemed to commit his own wrong-way blunder against Northwestern on Oct. 23, 2027.

The Wildcats had just taken a 35-28 lead on a 16-yard pass from Ryan Boe to Carson Grove with 1:20 left in the game. Grove tried to stop one yard short of the goal line as not to score with too much time left on the clock, but he was pushed across the goal line by UCLA’s R.J. Jones.

That left the Bruins with adequate time to mount a comeback, but found themselves in fourth-and-23 on their own 18-yard line.

UCLA’s last-ditch effort to stay alive turned into an indictment on how quarterbacks seem to drop back too far to try avoiding sacks in College Football 25. Davis ran all the way back to his own end zone with defensive lineman Dennis Rahouski in hot pursuit. Rahouski got the sack and the safety with 29 seconds remaining for a memorable exclamation point on a 37-28 victory.

“I still it all the time where quarterbacks will retreat more than 10 yards before getting sacked, but this was excessive,” B-Dawg said. “He would’ve kept going if the end zone didn’t stop him. He knew he couldn’t throw away the ball, because it was fourth down. At least I think he knew that. Who knows what CPU quarterbacks really think?

On the winning touchdown, B-Dawg dialed up the old Monster formation and threw a screen pass to Grove, who had a clear shot at the end zone. Realizing the Wildcats were in position to, if nothing else, kick a winning field goal and could run some clock, Grove froze in his tracks at the 1-yard line. But then UCLA’s R.J. Jones, instead of tackling him, pushed him over the goal line to complete an 11-play, 82-yard scoring drive.

“I never trust my defense late in games, especially after the fiasco in Wisconsin last week,” B-Dawg said. “I should have yelled for him to stop sooner. We couldn’t get pressure on their quarterback and he picked us apart, but we finally got some big sacks on that final drive.”

It was a strange game that featured the 18-yard sack for a safety, a blocked punt by UCLA and a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown by super-slow Northwestern linebacker George Dennis.

Bouncing back from their only loss this season, the Wildcats are 6-1.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Trayvon Riggins 8 pancakes, 0 sacks; Brandon Henderson 6-0; Jaelen Camarda 5-0; Simon Silva 5-0; Shawn Boyett 3-0; Taylor Jackson 2-0; Jaylen Love 1-0; Kerry Hanoian 1-0.

[redsox907]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

Don't forget Orlovsky running out the back lol

Some strange plays in that one for sure, but nice job bouncing back from the first L on the season.

Hows the rest of the conference looking? do you guys have a good shot at making the CCG?

[BDawg35]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

Don't forget Orlovsky running out the back lol

Some strange plays in that one for sure, but nice job bouncing back from the first L on the season.

How's the rest of the conference looking? do you guys have a good shot at making the CCG?

How could I have forgotten that? I'm a Lions fan! That was sooooooo Detroit Lions!

With the game I'm about to post, we are 7-1 with the only loss being on the ridiculous play against Wisconsin. So far, so good. I've had a habit of stumbling late in seasons, so I'm not sure if that's just a coincidence or the game cooks in some CPU scouting (which would be cool, don't get me wrong).

I haven't kept up on standings and playoff brackets as well as I should, but I happened to take down that information after the game I'm about to post. I'll get it posted ASAP.

Thanks again for your support of my little 'nasty.