Northwestern's trip to New York was, apparently, a journey for vengeance.

Fans were mostly unaware of just how angry the Wildcats were, angry at being underestimated, at the assumption that the team would repeat its January bowl flop when it entered Yankee Stadium and faced #23 Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl. Northwestern took that desire for vengeance and transmuted it into a sterling postseason performance, leading Pitt for much of the game and winning, 31 to 24.

Leading NU's charge was The Ball Carrier, Justin Jackson, who purple-fisted his way to 224 net yards (down from 226 yards in the initial stats) rushing and three touchdowns. Jackson's effort was a stunner: he slashed, juked, bullied, and seemingly flew past baffled Pitt defenders to a Pinstripe Bowl rushing record.


JJTBC came just 13 yards from NU's bowl rushing record (set by Jason Wright in Detroit). Jackson received the bowl MVP honors, and he set up-- one hopes-- the groundwork for a 2017 Heisman campaign.

The Pinstripe Bowl was fought on the ground. Jackson's 32 rushing plays tied another NU bowl record and equaled Pitt's rushing plays, spread across nine players. However, the unsung Wildcat is Clayton Thorson, whose touchdown pass to Garrett Dickerson gave Thorson the NU single-season touchdown passing record, a surprising feat considering how little hype Thorson received during 2016. If scores were to be settled and cases were to be made during the Pinstripe bowl, consider them settled and made. Thorson's offensive line, while shaky at times, turned in a fantastic effort, a substantial improvement vs. the beginning of the season. For NU's most maligned squad, the win over Pitt must be particularly satisfying.

One singularly satisfying thing about the Wildcat offense was the play calling. Coach McCall mixed it up, calling throws on first down, misdirection, well-timed running plays, and a great use of Jackson, John Moton, Austin Carr, and Garrett Dickerson. Coach Fitzgerald and McCall put on an aggressive game, and the 'Cats delivered, going 4 for 4 on fourth downs, using a different mix of tactics for each.

The Wildcat defense also came out pissed off and fired up, and it blasted the Panthers, holding them to their lowest point production for all of 2016. The team that knocked off Penn State, upended Clemson, and hung 76 points on Syracuse was befuddled for much of the game. Pitt notched just 18 first downs, going 6 for 13 on third downs and-- crucially-- 0 for 2 on fourth downs. One of those fourth downs concluded a first quarter, four-down goal line stand by Northwestern. That drive rivals NU's 1962 goal line stand against #6 Ohio State as the greatest-ever defensive effort by the team.

The NU defense followed up the phenomenal stand at Pitt's goal with three interceptions during the game, each at a critical moment, each helping to break Pitt's will. Godwin Igwebuike, Kyle Queiro, and Jared McGee each picked Pitt and helped NU dominate time of possession. The 'Cats had over 35 minutes TOP, a stat they needed to hit if they were to win the game.

Trae Williams led the defense with five solo tackles, and Anthony Walker was not far behind, racking up four solo tackles. Walker had a solid game, for what has turned out to be his final appearance in an NU uniform.

Next to the offensive line, Northwestern's kicker, Jack Mitchell, had received perhaps the greatest amount of criticism during the season. Mitchell, however, performed flawlessly at Yankee Stadium, provoking memories of his performance at Notre Dame Stadium. Mitchell's four extra points ties an NU bowl record, and his 37-yard field goal gave NU the assurance of at least overtime, if not a regulation win.

The players and coaches are to be commended for defying expectations and turning in a great win against a very skilled opponent. The win comes at a key moment for the program, and it helps reset expectations for fans and non-fans alike. Now, Northwestern fans are not just hoping for success; they will once again expect victory.