For the Northwestern Wildcats, the 2025–26 Big Ten season continues to feel painfully familiar. Strong starts turn into tight finishes, and close games keep slipping away at the worst possible moments.
By Terin Frodyma on SwimSwam January 10-11, 2026 Ratner Athletics Center, Chicago, IL SCY (25 yards) Results Final Scores: Women- Northwestern: 247, Chicago:
On Saturday afternoon at the Breslin Center, those pleas once again went unanswered at the most critical moment. In what is becoming a hauntingly familiar pattern for Northwestern (8-7, 0-4 Big Ten).
As the curtain closes on the 2025 season, the Northwestern Wildcats are already deep into the architecture of their 2026 roster. The focus has quickly shifted from reflection to reconstruction, and nowhere is that process more urgent than along the defensive front.
In a move that caught much of the Evanston faithful off guard, Northwestern’s veteran kicker Jack Olsen has officially entered the transfer portal. The announcement sent an immediate ripple through the Wildcats' fanbase.
Northwestern’s postseason momentum has officially turned into national recognition. After a season defined by defensive resilience and high-stakes execution, two of the Wildcats’ most impactful defenders have earned a major honor.
The confetti from the GameAbove Sports Bowl has barely settled, yet Northwestern football has already entered a defining stretch of its offseason. Less than two weeks after closing the year on a high note, attention has shifted fully toward roster retention.
Defensive grit, physical play, and a relentless effort defined Monday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena. It was because the Northwestern women’s basketball team stood toe-to-toe with No.
Northwestern football is continuing its aggressive pursuit of elite coaching talent this offseason. In an official announcement on Sunday, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun confirmed that Bob Bicknell will join the Wildcats’ staff as the team’s new tight ends coach.
The tension inside Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday afternoon felt too hard to look at. Northwestern entered the day desperate for its first Big Ten win, knowing the margin for error was already razor-thin.
The reconstruction of Northwestern football’s offensive identity is moving quickly, and the next major step appears imminent. After the high-profile addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, the Wildcats are expected to name veteran coach Tim Drevno as their next offensive line coach.
As Northwestern prepares to dive back into the deep end of Big Ten play, the margin for error has officially vanished. Entering Tuesday night at 0–2 in conference action and coming off a string of narrow, frustrating non-conference losses, the Wildcats needed more than a routine win against Howard.
The lights at Welsh-Ryan Arena shone a little brighter on Tuesday night. It is because Northwestern returned from a 10-day layoff and closed its non-conference schedule with an 80–60 victory over Howard.
The final stop of Northwestern’s West Coast trip proved to be its most challenging of the season. On New Year’s Day, the Wildcats faced an Oregon squad.
Chip Kelly was unable to make it through a full season as the offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders, but the veteran coach has already landed a new job.
The holiday break is over, and for Northwestern women’s basketball, it is time to dive back into the grind of Big Ten play. After wrapping up non-conference action earlier in the month, the Wildcats return to league competition with a demanding road test in the Pacific Northwest.
Northwestern football continues to own the postseason spotlight. On Friday afternoon at Ford Field, the Wildcats delivered a dominant 34–7 win. It was over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
When the Northwestern Wildcats and Central Michigan Chippewas meet at Ford Field for the GameAbove Sports Bowl it will be early. Both teams know it will be key to come in wide awake and plan on scoring as both can get the ball in the end zone often. The similarities are striking, but the motivation is distinct for each side.
Central Michigan and Northwestern have only met once before, but that will change when they share the field in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Friday at Ford Field.