The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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132 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW GAME 11 • NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS • NOV. 23 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE When Northwestern fell to Rutgers to open the 2023 season, it marked the Wildcats' 11th straight setback. The pro- gram could've crumbled, coming off a 1-11 campaign and an offseason marred w i t h co n t rove rsy. Hea d coa c h Pa t Fitzgerald was fired after a 17-year tenure amidst allegations of widespread hazing on the team. But the group rallied under interim head man David Braun, who had yet to coach a game even as an FBS de- fensive coordinator after Fitzgerald hired him from South Dakota State. Braun and Co. won eight of their final 12 games, including a 14-7 victory over Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. They notched wins over UTEP, Minnesota, Howard, Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue and Illi- nois and finished tied for second in the Big Ten West with an 8-5 overall record and 5-4 mark in league play. Braun earned the full-time head- coaching job in mid-November and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year, beating out Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, who led the Wolverines to an undefeated season. Northwestern is now amidst its first full offseason under Braun, who is put- ting his stamp on the team with new coaching hires, including bringing in for- mer South Dakota State offensive coordi- nator Zach Lujan, who was named 2023 FCS Coordinator of the Year by Football Scoop. Lujan will work to juice up a unit that ranked 106th and 124th nationally in scoring and total offense last season, producing 22.1 points and 303.9 total yards per contest. The Wildcats protected the football with just 9 turnovers but failed to move the ball or score points with consistency — making it, in a way, even more im- pressive that they won eight games. They were one of two teams in the nation to post a winning record despite averaging less than 23 points per tilt, joining divi- sion rival Iowa (10-4 record, 15.4 points per game). Lujan's job won't be easy, but adding former Vanderbilt (2020-22) and Missis- sippi State (2023) quarterback transfer Mike Wright was a big development in May. He's the favorite to start over sixth- year senior Ryan Hilinski and junior Jack Lausch, both of whom have mainly served as career backups in Evanston. Ben Bryant started a year ago, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,807 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine outings. Wright has opened 14 career contests (11 at Vanderbilt and three at Mississippi State). The 6-foot-4, 194-pounder has passed for 2,520 yards and rushed for 1,229 yards in 38 career games, and his dual-threat ability suits the system Lujan prefers to run. Three starting offensive linemen and top running back Cam Porter (651 yards, 4 touchdowns) are back, but left guard Josh Priebe transferred to Michigan and leading receiver Cam Johnson (715 yards, 6 TDs) also departed. Former Michigan wide receiver A.J. Henning earned his degree at U-M be- fore transferring to Northwestern ahead of the 2023 campaign. He ranked third on the team with 45 catches for 418 yards and 4 touchdowns while also returning punts and kicks. No Big Ten West offense ranked better than 83rd nationally in points per game last season, so the defensive numbers are a bit skewed. Regardless, Northwestern was strong on that side of the ball, al- lowing just 5.1 yards per play (27th in the land), 22.5 points per game (40th) and 340.8 yards per outing (36th). Seven starters from that unit have re- turned, including all four starting de- fensive linemen. The Wildcats notched 2.3 sacks per game (49th nationally) and forced 22 turnovers. Graduate linebacker Xander Mueller checked in tied for fourth in the Big Ten and second on the team with 110 tackles, including 10.5 for loss and 5 sacks, add- ing 3 interceptions. He was a third-team All-Big Ten pick and will lead the defense this fall. ❑ Coach David Braun Is Putting His Stamp On Northwestern 2024 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2023 Result Aug. 31 Miami (Ohio) — Sept. 7 Duke L, 38-14 Sept. 14 Eastern Illinois — Sept. 21 at Washington — Oct. 5 Indiana — Oct. 11 at Maryland W, 33-27 Oct. 19 Wisconsin W, 24-10 Oct. 26 at Iowa L, 10-7 Nov. 2 at Purdue W, 23-15 Nov. 16 Ohio State — Nov. 23 at Michigan — Nov. 30 Illinois W, 45-43 REASONS FOR OPTIMISM • Great Year 1 under coach David Braun • QB Mike Wright's commitment • Talented front seven Northwestern has a lot back on defense and a potentially dynamic quarterback in Mississippi State transfer Mike Wright, giving it the chance to build off a successful first season under Braun. REASONS FOR CONCERN • Tougher schedule than last season • Offense has a long way to go • Winning close games usually leads to re- gression Even with Wright in the fold, Northwestern has to get him up to speed quickly this summer. The Wildcats bring a lot back, but it's hard to win so many close games (six of their eight wins came by one score). QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 59- 15-2 First Meeting: Northwestern 10, U-M 8 (Oct. 29, 1892 in Chicago) Last Meeting: U-M 33, Northwestern 7 (Oct. 23, 2021 in Ann Arbor) Head Coach: David Braun, 8-5 (second year) at Northwestern and overall 2023 In Review: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten (T-2nd West) Final 2023 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 15 (6 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2023 (Las Vegas Bowl vs. Utah, W 14-7) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Ryan Hilinski (88 yards, 1 TD) Rushing: Cam Porter (651 yards, 4 TD) Receiving: Bryce Kirtz (701 yards, 5 TD) Tackles: Xander Mueller (110) Sacks: Aidan Hubbard (6) Interceptions: Xander Mueller (3) Former Michigan wide receiver A.J. Henning had 11 multi-catch games in his first season at Northwestern, after posting just 5 as a Wolver- ine from 2020-22. PHOTO BY GRIFFIN QUINN/NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS