| Sport: | football |
| Year: | 1995 |
| Team: | Northwestern Wildcats |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Coachrank: | 7 |
| Aprank: | 8 |
| Record: | 10–2 |
| Conf Record: | 8–0 |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Dc Year: | 4th |
| Captain: | William Bennett[1] |
| Captain2: | Rob Johnson |
| Captain3: | Sam Valenzisi |
| Champion: | Big Ten champion |
| Bowl Result: | L 32–41 vs. USC |
The 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A college football season. The 1995 season was a highly memorable one for the Northwestern program, as the Wildcats went 10–2 overall and 8–0 in the Big Ten Conference, earning their first winning season since 1971, their first conference championship since 1936, and their first 10-win season since 1903.[2] They also broke several long-standing losing streaks to regular opponents, including a 22-game losing streak to Iowa, a 19-game losing streak against Michigan, and a 14-game losing streak to Notre Dame.
"Expect Victory" was the motto even as Northwestern began the season as 28-point underdogs against Notre Dame, who they upset 17–15, propelling into the AP poll at #25. An upset loss to the Miami Redhawks in the second game of the season caused the Wildcats to drop out of the rankings. However, subsequent wins over ranked Michigan (19–13), Wisconsin (35–0), and Penn State (21–10) pushed the Wildcats into the top-10 while making them national media darlings.
Nine consecutive wins (including eight against Big Ten opponents) brought Northwestern their highest ranking since 1962 (#3), a conference title, and their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1949. In the Rose Bowl, the Wildcats' Cinderella season came to a conclusion with a 41 - 32 loss to the USC Trojans, and they finished the season at #8.
Northwestern was coached by Gary Barnett, who won multiple coach of the year awards for leading the dramatic turnaround of the program. Star players included the trio of quarterback Steve Schnur, running back Darnell Autry, and linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, who was named Big Ten and national defensive player of the year.
See also: 1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and Northwestern–Notre Dame football rivalry.
See also: 1995 Miami Redskins football team. The Wildcats surrendered a 21-point 4th quarter lead in their first game as a nationally ranked team since 1971. Miami of Ohio's Chad Seitz booted a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give the Redskins the victory. The opposing team was led by future Northwestern head coach Randy Walker and his offensive coordinator was Sean Payton. This would be the lone regular season blemish on the Wildcats' schedule.[4] [5]
See also: 1995 Air Force Falcons football team.
See also: 1995 Indiana Hoosiers football team.
See also: 1995 Michigan Wolverines football team.
See also: 1995 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team. After falling behind 14–3 early in the second quarter, the Wildcats scored the next 24 points to take control of the game. Darnell Autry ran for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 73-yard burst early in the fourth quarter.[6]
See also: 1995 Wisconsin Badgers football team. The Wildcats forced 7 Badger turnovers (Wisconsin had 6 total in their first five games) in a triumphant homecoming matchup. The game marked the first sellout at Northwestern since 1984.[7] [8]
See also: 1995 Illinois Fighting Illini football team and Illinois–Northwestern football rivalry.
See also: 1995 Penn State Nittany Lions football team.
See also: 1995 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and College GameDay (football).
See also: 1995 Purdue Boilermakers football team. Northwestern got two big scoring plays in the first half - a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chris Martin and a 72-yard touchdown reception by D'Wayne Bates - to take control. Darnell Autry carried the ball 32 times for a career-high 226 yards.[9] [10]
See also: 1995 USC Trojans football team and 1996 Rose Bowl.