I don't know if Zak has his Wolfpack Card, but he has my unyielding respect...

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Remembering a quote from August: "Those who stay will be champions."
[Special thanks to vagcat for the above photos!]

Records?  Shattered, thank you.  The 2000 Wildcats have now broken the record for points scored in a single season (346 points, with two games to go in the regular season!).   NU is currently averaging over 38 points per game, well on pace to take down the current record (31.2 points, set in 1904).  The 'Cats set a new record for yards of total offense in a game (the previous record was 649 vs. Northern Illinois).  When the smoke clears from the chaos of the 2000 season, the Wildcats might not have broken as many records as the 1995 team (which matched or broke an almost comical 79 school records), but the books will have a lot of fresh ink, nonetheless. 

Not only did Michigan give up the most yards in its history, it came very close to giving up the most points as well.  The last time Michigan saw an opponent put up 54 or more points was 1958, when the Wolverines gave up 55 to... Northwestern.  The record, by the way, remains with Cornell, which scored 58 points against Michigan in '91.  That's 1891.

The game was a spectacle of offensive power.  Zak Kustok continues to defy description.  His poise was granite and cool, and his pass/run mix left all in attendance numbed.  Zak passed for 322 yards and had no interceptions.  Billy DeCorrevont, Otto Graham, Tom Myers, Maurie Daigneau, Len Williams, Steve Schnur-- meet Zak Kustok.  He's joining you shortly on NU's all-time great quarterbacks list.

This game really did come down to which team wanted it more.  Even after the refs called a questionable illegal man down field on NU, which nullified a fourth down touchdown and dragged NU farther from the endzone, there was a presence in the crowd and on the field, an electric manifestation of the Wildcat players' refusal to die.  That presence alone made this the most exciting game I have ever attended.

Negatives from the game?  Asking that is like taking a magnifying glass to a Rembrandt to hunt for errant strokes.  One must admit though that if Anthony Thomas didn't fumble with a minute and change left, if Michigan held on at the last instant, Northwestern's defense would be under heavy scrutiny.  That may not be fair, however, considering the offense it was trying to stop: Henson, Terrell, Walker, and "A-Train" will all be playing on Sundays.  And there were heroes on NU's D as well, to be sure.  Blackmon's breaking up the Michigan two point conversion attempt was critical.  Sean Wieber stripped the ball from Thomas and Raheem Covington pulled it in and took to it like it was one of his vital organs-- which, of course from our points of view, it was.

The biggest negative from the game (other than the performance of the officiating crew, which I'll leave for others to pick apart) was the season ticket holders who sold their tickets to Wolverine fans.  Their absence from this epic is, to my mind, a fitting punishment for what they did.  One wonders if the price they exacted for their ticket was worth it to them.  I'm guessing there are more than a few remorseful 'Cat fans out there.

Before the game, Walker said "you'll have to kill us to beat us."  These 'Cats still live, and so their very high hopes.

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Let the Man Go Through!

...Damien Anderson streaks for 268 yards against Michigan.

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With its win over the Wolverines, Northwestern is now not only assured of a bowl game, but is in position to fight for a New Year's Day game.   Where will the Y2K Chaos 'Cats be headed for the holidays?   The 2000 Bowl Headquarters page is updated with current standings.

...Anyone care to see another row added?

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NU Improves National Ranking

For the sixth week in a row, Northwestern stands in the AP top 25.  The last time NU was ranked, 1997, the 'Cats fell out of the top 25 after their second game.  Below is a recap of NU's national ranking for the season:
 

This week's question:
As a college player, Randy Walker led Miami to three victories in the same bowl venue.  At what bowl did Walker play three times?
Send in your guess...

Last week's question:
Who was the first college player ever to win back-to-back National Defensive Player of the Year Awards?
Answer: Pat Fitzgerald.  Congratulations to Moss (2 wins), for back-to-back wins!
 

I put the double overtime victory over #6 Wisconsin on the page of NU's greatest games ever (at #21 on my list).  Saturday's game vs. Michigan is without a doubt the most thrilling game ever played at Ryan/Dyche, but is it one of the greatest games every played by NU?  I'd say so.  What should it be ranked? 

E-mail me (GoUPurple@aol.com) with your suggestion as to where this game should be ranked, all-time, and I'll incorporate your feedback into the final ranking of the game!  And since it is election week and since it is Chicago, remember to vote early and often...

Go 'Cats! 
GoUPurple
(Quite unaffiliated with Northwestern University and the NU Athletic Dept.) 

Do you have criticism, comments, or  suggestions?    Please let me know: GoUPurple@aol.com.