http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/teams/northwestern_wildcats/169 Recent articles about Northwestern Wildcats en-us Where has the time gone... No seriously, it feels like just yesterday we were unveiling the very first  player on our list. Yet, here we are creeping up on the Top 10.  It's safe to say we're really beginning to start splitting hairs when it comes to the differences between players that put them in one place or the next and that's really the case today as we bring you yet another Northwestern player.  That more than one made this list is a feat that just two seasons ago wasn't all that likely. Congrats Pat Fitzgerald and Co. - you've become much more relevant and you've done it the old fashioned way, winning games on the football field.  Well, today we give you one of the biggest reasons 2012 was as successful as it was and a guy that stands out as a shinning example against the assertion that the Big Ten "doesn't have 'SEC speed'." No. 12: Venric Mark (RB, Northwestern) 2012 Stats/Honors: 1,366 yards, 6.0avg, 12TD's rush Thu, 23 May 2013 16:32:25 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_preseason_top_25_players_no_12_venric_mark/13681451 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_preseason_top_25_players_no_12_venric_mark/13681451 2013 Preseason Top 25 Players: No. 12, Venric Mark http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2013_preseason_top_25_players_no_12_venric_mark/13681451 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/d/1dbd75f9f5678d26136d9f982f3a374a01ee9ff5/mini/6754498.jpg If you like throwback football then you'll love what's coming up today on our Big Ten Top 25 Players countdown that's for sure!  Northwestern football is under a huge renaissance, in fact they are dangerously close to becoming the glory years of Wildcats football. Gone are the days of "Lake the Posts" being a chant because of any win, replaced by "Lake the Posts"  hoping to be celebrating a Big Ten championship and not being a pipe dream.  While head coach Pat Fitzgerald has a lot to do with said renaissance, so to does our No. 14 player, but before we get there don't forget to check out the 2nd leading active rusher in the NCAA, James White, who checked in at No. 15 yesterday.  Now on to perhaps the best all-around player in the Big Ten.  No. 14: Kain Colter (QB, Northwestern) 2012 Stats/Honors: Passing - 67.8% comp. rate, 872 yards, 8TD's/4INT's, 129.3 passer efficiency; Rushing - 894 yards, 5.3avg., 12TD's; Receiving - Wed, 22 May 2013 18:11:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_preseason_top_25_players_no_14_kain_colter/13674196 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2013_preseason_top_25_players_no_14_kain_colter/13674196 2013 Preseason Top 25 Players: No. 14, Kain Colter http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2013_preseason_top_25_players_no_14_kain_colter/13674196 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/d/6dd467c82bc758b39f366b5f183e81c12dc11371/mini/6823762.jpg With the college basketball season officially coming to an end yesterday, fans can completely turn their attention back to football. Good, we’re glad you’re back. Maybe some of you never really left? Maybe some of you have been waiting night and day for our next B1G spring preview? Maybe ya just can’t get enough of the pigskin? We at Know It All Football know how you feel and we’ve got you covered. We’re covering the B1G conference from top to bottom and today we look at the Northwestern Wildcats. Northwestern Camp Opens: February 27th Spring Game: April 13th There’s a growing feeling around the Northwestern program that the Wildcats are closer to taking another giant step forward in 2013. After a 10-3 season at a school not particularly known for their football success, who could blame them? 2012 could have actually been much better without the late game collapses against Penn State, Nebraska, and Michigan, which resulted in 3 unforgettable losses. Regardless, when you couple the 2... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:05:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/b1g_spring_football_preview_the_northwestern_wildcats/13356862 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/b1g_spring_football_preview_the_northwestern_wildcats/13356862 B1G Spring Football Preview: The Northwestern Wildcats http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/b1g_spring_football_preview_the_northwestern_wildcats/13356862 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png “Take me out to the ballgame. Take me out to the crowd…” Northwestern will play 5 football games in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field beginning in 2014. Northwestern continues their campaign to known as Chicago’s B1G team by entering into a partnership with one of Chicago’s landmark sports arenas. Wrigley Field is undergoing renovations including a removable dugout to allow a regulation college football field to be created within the park including a 12-foot perimeter around the field. Northwestern University Vice President For Athletics & Recreation, Jim Phillips, said in a Northwestern press release, “We are thrilled to partner with a professional sports franchise as iconic as the Chicago Cubs in an agreement that truly is the first of its kind. As Chicago’s Big Ten Team, this is a natural fit that will create tremendous opportunities for our student-athletes, our coaches and our fans in the area. I’d like to personally thank the Ricketts family and the entire Cub... Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:02:05 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_to_play_5_games_at_wrigley_field/12845584 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_to_play_5_games_at_wrigley_field/12845584 Northwestern to play at Wrigley http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwestern_to_play_5_games_at_wrigley_field/12845584 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/d/9d681bcbc8ddb73089df190097477a35f72a5c3a/mini/155313013.jpg Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald says he expects quarterback Kain Colter and running back Venric Mark to play this week against Illinois. Mark sat out the second half of Saturday's 23-20 victory at Michigan State with what was announced as an upper extremity injury, while Colter was shaken up in the second half. The two are a big reason why Illinois ranks third in the Big Ten in rushing, with Mark running for 108 per game and Colter averaging 66.5. Fitzgerald also said Monday that he expects cornerback Nick VanHoose to miss his fourth straight game because of a shoulder injury but added ''we'll see how the week progresses.'' Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:52:58 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/colter_mark_expected_to_play_for_northwestern/12252724 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/colter_mark_expected_to_play_for_northwestern/12252724 Colter, Mark expected to play for Northwestern http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/colter_mark_expected_to_play_for_northwestern/12252724 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Check out the video. Michigan needed a miracle against Northwestern and they got it. Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner hit wide receiver Roy Roundtree who juggled and caught a 53-yard pass with just eight seconds left in the game Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:32:50 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/video_amazing_juggling_catch_helps_michigan_pull_off_victory/12178486 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/video_amazing_juggling_catch_helps_michigan_pull_off_victory/12178486 Video: Amazing, juggling catch helps Michigan pull off victory http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/video_amazing_juggling_catch_helps_michigan_pull_off_victory/12178486 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Northwestern defensive lineman Bo Cisek spends most of his time playing on special teams in punt protection.  But that hasn’t stopped head coach Pat Fitzgerald from giving him the #1 jersey to honor him for his attitude and work ethic.This is highly unusual.  Not the fact that a defensive lineman would be honored for his attitude and work ethic, but the fact that he is wearing #1, which is typically reserved for skill position players.Following Northwestern’s home win this past Saturday against Iowa, Cisek proceeded to grab the lightsaber from the student director of the Northwestern band, and led the team in their fight song, “Go U Northwestern.”Now Cisek has two things to remind people that he is not your typical defensive lineman.  The #1 jersey and a photo going viral on the Internet of him singing with a lightsaber Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:06:59 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_defensive_linemans_lightsaber_photo_goes_viral/12117697 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_defensive_linemans_lightsaber_photo_goes_viral/12117697 Northwestern defensive lineman’s lightsaber photo goes viral http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwestern_defensive_linemans_lightsaber_photo_goes_viral/12117697 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png While most major college football programs spend their time leading up to gameday going over scouting reports, running over plays, or even stuffing their faces with a big meal, the Northwestern Wildcats are employing a different approach this year -- napping. "We'll wake up, have our pregame meal, do our mental things and then have a mandatory nap," Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter said. "Those hotel beds are really comfortable and the pillows are soft. After our naps we'll come down refreshed and ready to kick some butt."Head coach Pat Fitzgerald decided to institute a mandatory nap into the team's gameday regimen after his Wildcats came out sluggish during in an affair earlier this season against Boston College. He asked his leadership council what the problem was and they said the 2:30 PM start impeded on their nap time. The rest is history.Northwestern also has a 2:30 PM start this weekend against Nebraska, so Fitzgerald has allocated some tim... Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:31:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_coach_pat_fitzgerald_institutes_mandatory_nap_on_gamedays/11997544 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_coach_pat_fitzgerald_institutes_mandatory_nap_on_gamedays/11997544 Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald institutes mandatory nap on gamedays http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwestern_coach_pat_fitzgerald_institutes_mandatory_nap_on_gamedays/11997544 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/a/0a6c6c0f942013541b8940fe80a23a4a0a2efedf/mini/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f92709204.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D009999B103F385D1ED9FE47971593CF044930E1FE5C3E15AB.jpg Big Ten Network broadcaster Josh Lewin had some trouble with basic math during Saturday's college game between Boston College and Northwestern. This became painfully apparent during one particular play in the fourth quarter, where Northwestern downed a punt on the 2-yard line with 3:02 left and a 15-13 lead. As the punt was downed, Lewin initially said "A field goal will do Boston College no good." This was obviously wrong as a field goal would have given BC the lead. Lewin also reported that "instead of the 25-yard line, they're gonna spot it right there on the 2". This was also wrong, although we'll give him a pass because the new touchback rule is a bit confusing. As of this year, a touchback on a kickoff will result in the ball being spotted on the 25-yard line, but in this case, a touchback on a punt would be spotted on the 20. H/T Awful Announcing. Visit us at http://holdoutsports.com. Follow @HoldoutSports Thu, 20 Sep 2012 05:40:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/big_ten_network_broadcaster_has_trouble_with_math_during_bc_northwestern_game_video/11762209 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/big_ten_network_broadcaster_has_trouble_with_math_during_bc_northwestern_game_video/11762209 Big Ten Network broadcaster has trouble with math during BC-Northwestern game (Video) http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/big_ten_network_broadcaster_has_trouble_with_math_during_bc_northwestern_game_video/11762209 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 2012 Northwestern Wildcats Football Quickview 2011 Record:  6-7 Head Coach:  Pat Fitzgerald- 7th year    40-36 Returning Starters:    10    5- Offense   5- Defense Nonconference Schedule Breakdown:  Three also-rans dot the Wildcat nonconference schedule in 2012…opening on the road is tough and playing in the Carrier Dome is no easy task either…so Kain Colter and Northwestern will be tested right out of the gate..then they host Vanderbilt and Boston College before ending the non-Big Ten agenda vs South Dakota….no easy weeks at all for Northwestern.. hopefully this ledger improves the Wildcats enough to make some legit noise in the Big Ten…but to do that, the defense has to get better. Schedule Rank (in the Big Ten) 8th  hardest: opening the season on the road is something of a difficult task…you really have an idea of what your team is about, but you really don’t know until you see them in game situations…Syracuse will pose challenges…but the Wildcats open the Big Ten portion of thei... Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:42:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2012_northwestern_wildcats_football_preview_schedule_and_predictions/11461948 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2012_northwestern_wildcats_football_preview_schedule_and_predictions/11461948 2012 Northwestern Wildcats Football preview: schedule and predictions http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2012_northwestern_wildcats_football_preview_schedule_and_predictions/11461948 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/7/77c1569b99d1d2668254ff82267f0fac4fb21338/mini/Ohio_State_Buckeyes_204a.jpg Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald says running back Treyvon Green is doing well and is expected to be ready for the season opener after a scare at practice last week. Fitzgerald told reporters Monday at practice in Kenosha, Wis., that Green should be available to play against Syracuse on Sept. 1. That's a big relief considering the scene that unfolded on Friday. Green took a hit to the chest and stayed down as medical staff tended to him. After about 10 minutes, players and media were cleared from Northwestern's indoor practice facility before Green was taken to the hospital. Green played in all 13 games and ran for 362 yards as a true freshman last season. Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:38:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/green_expected_to_be_ready_for_northwestern_opener/11447221 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/green_expected_to_be_ready_for_northwestern_opener/11447221 Green expected to be ready for Northwestern opener http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/green_expected_to_be_ready_for_northwestern_opener/11447221 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Northwestern running back Treyvon Green was released from the hospital after absorbing a hit to the chest and being taken from the field in an ambulance Friday. The sophomore went down on what looked to be a clean hit by defensive back Ibraheim Campbell and remained on the field while medical staff tended to him. After about 10 minutes, players and media were cleared from the indoor practice facility before Green was taken to the hospital. Evanston Hospital public relations associate Kelli Spencer said he was treated and released from the facility. The exact nature of the injury was unclear, although school spokesman Paul Kennedy said Green had movement in all four limbs. It wasn't clear how much time he will miss. Coach Pat Fitzgerald, who went to the hospital with Green, said in a statement all tests results were negative and that a full recovery was expected. ''I would like to thank our entire athletic training staff for their quick response and care in this situation,'' he added. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 23:45:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_rb_treyvon_green_injured_at_practice/11429890 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_rb_treyvon_green_injured_at_practice/11429890 Northwestern RB Treyvon Green injured at practice http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwestern_rb_treyvon_green_injured_at_practice/11429890 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png CHICAGO A plush monkey toy rests comfortably inside the office of Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald. But this is not some cutesy, fuzzy friend Fitzgerald gazes at with delight during his down time between film study and practice preparation. Instead, he would prefer the monkey cease to exist its big, cheerful, plastic eyes masking the symbolism of a program's failure that dates to before Fitzgerald was even born. Since a 1949 Rose Bowl victory against California, Northwestern's football team has been to nine bowl games. The Wildcats have lost them all tying a college football record including each of the past four seasons under Fitzgerald's watch. The toy monkey, of course, represents the proverbial monkey on the collective backs of Northwestern football as it attempts to eviscerate a 63-year-old record for bowl win futility. That is why Fitzgerald eagerly awaits the day he can help tear the stuffed animal limb from limb, saying at Big Ten media days last week that it was "po Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:11:39 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_aims_to_end_winless_bowl_drought/11334982 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_aims_to_end_winless_bowl_drought/11334982 Northwestern aims to end winless bowl drought http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwestern_aims_to_end_winless_bowl_drought/11334982 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/7/77c1569b99d1d2668254ff82267f0fac4fb21338/mini/Ohio_State_Buckeyes_204a.jpg CHICAGO A plush monkey toy rests comfortably inside the office of Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald. But this is not some cutesy, fuzzy friend Fitzgerald gazes at with delight during his down time between film study and practice preparation. Instead, he would prefer the monkey cease to exist its big, cheerful, plastic eyes masking the symbolism of a program's failure that dates to before Fitzgerald was even born. Since a 1949 Rose Bowl victory against California, Northwestern's football team has been to nine bowl games. The Wildcats have lost them all tying a college football record including each of the past four seasons under Fitzgerald's watch. The toy monkey, of course, represents the proverbial monkey on the collective backs of Northwestern football as it attempts to eviscerate a 63-year-old record for bowl win futility. That is why Fitzgerald eagerly awaits the day he can help tear the stuffed animal limb from limb, saying at Big Ten media days last week that it was "po Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:11:39 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_aims_to_end_winless_bowl_drought/11335051 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_aims_to_end_winless_bowl_drought/11335051 Northwestern aims to end winless bowl drought http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwestern_aims_to_end_winless_bowl_drought/11335051 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/d/6d57cb50074f392d04832b708d5e1236465e0921/mini/IL_Penn_State_fd33.jpg Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter has a bone to pick with EA Sports. It seems  the NCAA Football 13 version of him is slightly different from the real life version. Wow...so they made me white with red hair on NCAA #disrespectful — Kain Colter (@KainColter_2) July 10, 2012  It sounds like EA Sports got Colter a little confused with Penn State Matt McGloin, who is a little bit of a ginger. Mind you, since Colter is still in school, he isn't getting any money for NCAA Football 2013. It also doesn't benefit EA Sports to present an accurate version of Colter, especially with the class action lawsuit brought against the company and the NCAA by former college athletes such as Ed O'Bannon over the use of their likenesses is still going through the courts. So he's probably going to have to wait until he's out of school for the EA Sports to get his image right. (via Throw the Flag) Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:57:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_qb_kain_colter_doesnt_like_ea_sports_turning_him_into_a_ginger/11193745 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwestern_qb_kain_colter_doesnt_like_ea_sports_turning_him_into_a_ginger/11193745 Northwestern QB Kain Colter doesn't like EA Sports turning him into a ginger. http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwestern_qb_kain_colter_doesnt_like_ea_sports_turning_him_into_a_ginger/11193745 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Above is a picture of Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter. As you can tell, the junior QB has a tan complexion and brown hair. He’s apparently portrayed differently in the new video game College Football ’13: Wow…so they made me white with red hair on NCAA #disrespectful — Kain Colter (@KainColter_2) July 10, 2012 We haven’t tested the game out to see what he looks like, so we’ll have to take his word for it. Let’s just hope they didn’t undercut him when it came to his player rating; the triple-threat player threw for six TDs, rushed for nine, and caught three last season, and we all know how bent players can get if their video game ratings are low. Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:16:11 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/college_football_13s_portrayal_of_kain_colter_apparently_wasnt_too_accurate/11193487 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/college_football_13s_portrayal_of_kain_colter_apparently_wasnt_too_accurate/11193487 College Football ’13′s portrayal of Kain Colter apparently wasn’t too accurate http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/college_football_13s_portrayal_of_kain_colter_apparently_wasnt_too_accurate/11193487 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png This year Northwestern is switching uniform providers from Adidas to Under Armour. This could be good or it could be disastrous. Either way the is the most recent evidence that Northwestern is actively trying to improve their athletic department. As the B1G’s only private university Northwestern is at a competitive disadvantage. Years of apathy have left the Wildcats trailing the B1G in sports facilities. Thanks in part from the combined talents, enthusiasm, and commitment to Northwestern from NU AD Jim Phillips and football coach Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern’s athletic facilities have begun the process of entering modernity. However, Ryan Field still has miles to go before it can compete with other B1G stadiums. (Bathrooms would be a mighty step forward!) Under Armour’s new uniforms could act as a recruiting tool if they are iconic (or infamous) enough to garner national attention. The “Reclaim the Stripe” motif is interesting and could be promising. The design manager in the vid... Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:00:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwesterns_new_under_armor_uniforms/11145002 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northwesterns_new_under_armor_uniforms/11145002 Northwestern’s New Under Armor Uniforms http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northwesterns_new_under_armor_uniforms/11145002 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Forget the actual Spring Game for the Northwestern Wildcats, head coach Pat Fitzgerald gets things going on the last day of Spring practice with a dizzy bat race. Watch as all these guys tiptoe like a drunken thief for the 10 yards they have to go before handing off the bat to the next guy. [...] Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:41:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/video_northwestern_wildcats_dizzy_bat_race/10670099 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/video_northwestern_wildcats_dizzy_bat_race/10670099 Video: Northwestern Wildcats dizzy bat race http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/video_northwestern_wildcats_dizzy_bat_race/10670099 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/a/0a6c6c0f942013541b8940fe80a23a4a0a2efedf/mini/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f92709204.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D009999B103F385D1ED9FE47971593CF044930E1FE5C3E15AB.jpg