1980 Northwestern Wildcats football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1980 Northwestern Wildcats football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 0–11 0–9 Rick Venturi 3rd Chuck Kernhttp://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nw/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/nu-mg-07-history.pdf#page=8 Year-by-Year Results 2007 149 PDF https://web.archive.org/web/20190316165052/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nw/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/nu-mg-07-history.pdf#page=8 March 16, 2019 live March 14, 2019 Todd Sheets Dyche Stadium The 1980 Northwestern Wildcats team was an American football team that represented Northwestern University during the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. In their third year under head coach Rick Venturi, the Wildcats finished in last place in the Big Ten Conference (Big Ten), compiled a 0–11 record (0–9 against Big Ten opponents), and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 444 to 151.1980 Northwestern Wildcats Schedule and Results Sports Reference SR/College Football November 8, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/northwestern/1980-schedule.html The team played its home games at Dyche Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern finished the season in the midst of a 34-game losing streak, the longest in NCAA Division I-A history. The streak began on September 22, 1979, and ended on September 25, 1982.Worst college football teams of all time ESPN.com November 8, 2016 http://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/colfootball/teams/worst.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Kerrigan with 1,816 passing yards, Jeff Cohn with 503 rushing yards, Todd Sheets with 570 receiving yards, and placekicker Jay Anderson with 37 points scored.1980 Northwestern Wildcats Stats Sports Reference SR/College Football February 22, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/northwestern/1980.html Several Northwestern players also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in various statistical categories, including the following: Mike Kerrigan led the Big Ten with 17 interceptions and ranked third with 173 pass completions and 337 pass attempts and fourth with 1,816 passing yards and 1,789 total yards.1980 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference SR/College Football November 2, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1980.html Lou Tiberi led the conference with 18 kickoff returns and ranked second with 402 kickoff return yards and fourth with 22.3 yards per kickoff return. Todd Sheets ranked fifth with 17.3 yards per reception and eighth with 570 receiving yards. Schedule 1980 AP September 6 l y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 9–35 44,222 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-illini-charge-ba/158649791/ Wisconsin State Journal Illini charge back to dump Wildcats September 7, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 13 l y Michigan 11 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 10–17 100,824 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-a-win-but-no-omen-u-m/158649837/ The Saginaw News A win, but no omen; U-M reveals little while nipping Wildcats September 14, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 l y y Washington 16 Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 7–45 49,975 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-washington-wallops-northw/158519008/ The Pantagraph Washington wallops Northwestern, 45–7 September 21, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 l y y Syracuse Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY 21–42 34,739 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-sloppy-syracuse-rips-northw/158401543/ Daily News 'Sloppy' Syracuse rips Northwestern September 28, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 l Minnesota Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 21–49 17,747 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-minnesota-blows-p/158649881/ The Sioux City Journal Minnesota blows past Northwestern, 49–21 October 5, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 l Ohio State 9 Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 0–63 29,375 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-buckeyes-bomb-northwestern/158649932/ Star Tribune Buckeyes bomb Northwestern 63–0 October 12, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 l y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 3–25 59,990 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-iowa-deals-cats-16t/158649978/ Journal and Courier Iowa deals 'Cats 16th straight loss October 19, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 l Indiana Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 20–35 19,535 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-iu-defense-awakens-t/158650044/ The Courier-Journal IU defense awakens to stop Northwestern October 26, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 l Purdue 20 Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 31–52 17,744 https://www.newspapers.com/article/palladium-item-purdue-turns-smith-herrm/158650104/ Palladium-Item Purdue turns Smith, Herrmann loose November 2, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 l y Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 10–42 60,157 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-times-reporter-spartans-rout-nort/158650147/ Herald-Times-Reporter Spartans rout Northwestern November 9, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 l Wisconsin Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 19–39 17,372 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-wisconsin-extends-northweste/158650198/ The Courier Wisconsin extends Northwestern streak November 16, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com Game summaries At Illinois On September 6, in the first conference game of the season, Illinois defeated Northwestern, 35–9, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. It was Illinois' first game under new head coach Mike White and its first victory at Memorial Stadium since October 1977.Illinois 35 Northwestern 7 Green Bay Press-Gazette September 7, 1980 D1, D2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7311328/illinois_35_northwestern_9/ At Michigan On September 13, Michigan (AP No. 11) defeated Northwestern, 17–10, at Michigan Stadium. Playing in a steady rain, the Wolverines struggled. Anthony Carter had a 17-yard touchdown reception to give Michigan the win.Whew! Michigan survives Northwestern, 17–10 Detroit Free Press Mick McCabe September 14, 1980 1H, 6H https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7311516/whew_michigan_survives_northwestern/ At Washington On September 20, Northwestern lost to Washington (AP No. 16), 45–7, in Seattle. Washington's Toussaint Tyler rushed for 83 yards and scored three touchdowns.Washington 45, Northwestern 7 Akron Beacon Journal September 21, 1980 D8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7315122/washington_45_northwestern_7/ At Syracuse On September 27, Northwestern lost to Syracuse, 42–21, before a crowd of 34,738 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. Northwestern quarterback Mike Kerrigan set a single-game Northwestern record with 25 completions, passing for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Morris rushed for 172 yards for Syracuse. The game was marred by oranges being repeatedly thrown on the field by students, resulting in two 15-yard penalties and caused Syracuse's quarterback to slip on a peel at the Northwestern one-yard line. Syracuse coach Frank Maloney called the students' conduct both "sinful" and "bush league".'Sloppy' Syracuse beats Northwestern, 41-21 Democrat and Chronicle Rudy Martzke September 28, 1980 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7346815/sloppy_syracuse_beats_northwestern/ Minnesota On October 4, Northwestern lost to Minnesota, 49–21, at Dyche Stadium. Minnesota was led by running backs Marion Barber, Jr. (118 rushing yards, three touchdowns) and Garry White (129 rushing yards, two touchdowns).Barber-led Minnesota overwhelms Northwestern, 49–21 Detroit Free Press October 5, 1980 3E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7316172/barberled_minnesota_overwhelms/ Ohio State On October 11, Ohio State defeated Northwestern, 63–0, before a homecoming crowd of 29,375 at Dyche Stadium in Evanston. Ohio State led, 42–0, at halftime. Ohio State had 575 total yards, including 418 rushing yards. Calvin Murray had 120 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries. The night before the game, Northwestern coach was served with a lawsuit filed by 22 African American players alleging racial discrimination.Buckeyes' 63-0 romp just an athletic farce The Akron Beacon Journal October 12, 1980 B1, B6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7358850/buckeyes_630_romp_just_an_athletic/ At Iowa On October 18, Iowa defeated Northwestern, 25–3, before a homecoming crowd of 59,990 in Iowa City. In his first game as Iowa's starting tailback, Phil Blatcher rushed for 148 yards on 19 carries, including a 51-yard gain on a Statue of Liberty play, and also caught a touchdown pass.Iowa whips Wildcats, ends slump Des Moines Register October 19, 1980 1D, 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7341377/iowa_whips_wildcats_ends_slump/ Indiana On October 25, Indiana defeated Northwestern, 35–20, in Evanston. Indiana's Lonnie Johnson rushed for 160 yards on 22 carries, and Mike Harkrader added 102 rushing yards.Indiana oversleeps 'gimmee' Bob Collins The Indianapolis Star October 26, 1980 4-1, 4-6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7338965/indiana_oversleeps_gimmee/ Purdue On November 1, Purdue (AP No. 20) defeated Northwestern, 52–31, before a crowd of 17,744 persons at Dyche Stadium in Evanston. Purdue's 52 points was its highest scoring output in a game since 1947. Purdue running back rushed for 190 yards and scored four touchdown. Mark Herrmann passed for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Hermann also set the all-time record for career pass completions (651) and interceptions (69).Purdue batters 'Cats The Indianapolis Star John Bansch November 2, 1980 4-1, 4-8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7320264/purdue_batters_cats/ At Michigan State On November 8, Michigan State defeated Northwestern, 42–10, before a crowd of 60,157 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Michigan State tailback Steve Smith rushed for 229 yards and a school record with four touchdowns. The Spartans totaled 571 yards of total offense.Hallellujah! Northwestern heals Spartan ills Lansing State Journal November 9, 1980 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7319006/hallellujah_northwestern_heals_spartan/ Wisconsin On November 15, Wisconsin defeated Northwestern, 39–19, in Evanston. Northwestern's Mike Kerrigan passed for 237 yards in the loss.Northwestern cures ailing UW offense Green Bay Press-Gazette November 16, 1980 D1 Roster 1980 Northwestern Wildcats f 90 So Jay Anderson WR 84 Jr Dave Bahoric WR 67 Jr Jim Crowder G 30 So Jeff Cohn RB 93 Jr John Finn TE 76 Sr Jim Ford T 55 Jr Bill Gerber C 12 Jr Mike Kerrigan QB y 75 Jr Rob Taylor Rob Taylor (American football) T y 20 Sr Mark Adams DB 44 So David Callway LB 11 Jr Chris Capstran LB 14 Sr Ron Coleman DB 35 Fr Mike Guendling LB y 80 So Chris Hinton LB y 41 Sr Dave Hoffman DB 19 Jr Rawle King DB 18 So David Shaw DB 4 Fr John Kidd John Kidd (American football) P QB y *Rick Venturi Mike Westhoff – Offensive line References Northwestern Category:Northwestern Wildcats football seasons Category:College football winless seasons Northwestern Wildcats football