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Have to imagine he would have been second team but for Gragg being the AD.

In all honestly, from everything I have heard Brooks is either the hardest working guy on the team or close to it. Nice to see him get rewarded. Would love to see him flirt with averaging a double double next year.

I had just gotten to First Ascent and was changing into my climbing shoes.

A young feller' walks and sits on the bench next to me. He has full OSU regalia--black sweats emblazoned with scarlet lettering, a Rose Bowl sweat shirt from God knows when, and a black baseball hat with the scarlet O.

"Aren't the Bucknuts playing tonight?" I asked.

"No. That's tomorrow. Thank God they fired that coach."

"Yeah. It's been a rough year for them. I've been lucky to see my team a bunch games--I'm a Wildcat." I threw the last part in because I was feeling salty.

"Kentucky?" [I wasn't sporting any NU logos]

[chuckling]. "No. Northwestern. I am used to us being overlooked. It has served us well the last two seasons."

"What do you think of the stadium plan?"

"I have some great memories, but I won't miss that old barn. The new one should be great. They nailed the basketball arena. I think football will have a similar result. I have never been to the Shoe. That must be a madhouse."

"Actually, I went to Cincinnati.."

"Really? You are a Wal-Mart Buckeye?"

"You Northwestern people are annoying..."

Rivals' Big Ten All-Conference awards are here ahead of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday. Boo Buie was one of two players unanimously voted to First Team, the only Wildcat to receive recognition. Brooks Barnhizer was an honorable mention.

I’m sure many on this board got the e-mail below, which seems to have gone out to season ticket holders. Yet another non-update update from Dr. Gragg, who appears pretty dedicated to the whole “positively” bit at the very least.

Embarrassing. Just straight up embarrassing.

——————————————————————————-

Dear Wildcat Season Ticket Holders –

I would like to begin by thanking you for your incredible support of our football program.

We are close to finalizing and announcing our home venues along with our full schedule for next season’s games.

Finalizing agreements with multiple venues has necessitated evaluating numerous scenarios and collaborating with various entities to create a viable home schedule.

We initially aimed to host a significant portion of our games at Soldier Field, particularly in September and October when baseball stadiums are typically unavailable. Regrettably, our plans for the 2024 season coincide with Major League Baseball games, and often clash with the Major League Soccer schedule as well. Moreover, the release of the NFL schedule taking place in May has posed a considerable challenge in securing Soldier Field and finalizing our competition dates at other venues. Taking these elements into consideration, we decided it was best to finalize dates now instead of waiting until May to release the schedule.

That noted, season ticket holders will receive an official communication when we announce the full schedule, inclusive of venues, in the coming weeks.

What the team was able to accomplish last season – both on the field and equally as impressive in the classroom – shocked the Big Ten and college football.

Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun, the consensus Big Ten Coach of the Year, led the team to one of the biggest turnarounds in the history of the sport. Northwestern is one of only five football teams this century to have improved from a 1-11 record to win six or more games the very next season.

After winning the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl over Utah in December, the program has now won each of its last five bowl games (and six of its last seven), after previously going 64 years between bowl game wins. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and our coaching staff for how they represented our university.

Coach Braun has both added to and promoted within his staff, including Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Tim McGarigle (’06), Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach Zach Lujan, Assistant Head Coach and Safeties Coach Harlon Barnett, Offensive Line Coach Bill O'Boyle, and Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Paul Creighton. The staff is really pleased with the latest recruiting class and look forward to welcoming the incoming Wildcats to Evanston for spring ball.

Change is also happening with Ryan Field as demolition has begun. This stadium will be a best-in-the-nation football experience for our student-athletes and fans. It will be the crown jewel of Evanston.

I would like to thank season ticket holders, fans, student-athletes, students, staff and the entire Northwestern community for their flexibility and patience during the rebuild of Ryan Field. We acknowledge that playing in other venues may be inconvenient for you as a supporter of the program. It means everything to our student-athletes and staff that you are willing to travel to support them.

I would certainly like to thank the Ryan Family for everything they have done to make this project a reality. The stadium is privately funded, with no taxpayer financing and significant public benefits. I encourage you to visit the updated RebuildRyanField.com to learn more.

We thank you for your continued support and patience.

God Bless and Go ‘Cats!

Positively,
Dr. Derrick Gragg

the superior. although smaller, city to the east of Minneapolis, and I have no clue how to buy tickets for the BTT at the Target Center, other than just showing up. Anyone who is ticket savvy that can help?

@EdgyTim talked to Maine South OL Zak Stoilov about his visit to a Northwestern spring practice last weekend.

Looking forward to a great time at the Target Center. I'll be in the NU section dressed in Wolverine gear on Wednesday for my wife, Hawkeye gear on Thursday for my daughter and then Wildcat Purple from Friday on. Hope to see some of you up there. Go Cats!! Let's make history.

It looks like NU will play Wisconsin on Friday assuming Wisconsin wins their first game, and if NU wins that, they will play Purdue. Looking like a Purdue v. Illinois final, unless NU upsets, which they very well could do--without Nicholson?

Rivals' Big Ten All-Conference awards are here ahead of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday. Boo Buie was one of two players unanimously voted to First Team, the only Wildcat to receive recognition. Brooks Barnhizer was an honorable mention.

I’m not sure what else needs to be said. I’m looking forward to the video. Thanks Blake, you deserve it.

He and the coaching staff have had to change the focus of the team several times during the season. First the loss of Berry, then Langborg and then Nicholson. Huge changes and winning the games he had to win to get the job done. Changing the focus from O to D

Edgy calls Veldman a "nice get" for Northwestern. He likes Veldman's length and athleticism.

"HIs overall athletic ability really stood out this winter."

"It's really tough to say no to Northwestern, even after the hazing scandal."

"It's a good start for Northwestern, already having five commits in the early part of March."

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I was in the building for Northwestern's Pro Day this morning. It marked not just an opportunity for three NU players: QB Ben Bryant, WR Cam Johnson and LB Bryce Gallagher, to show their skills, it was also the first public address by Braun at Walter Athletics Center since bowl season. Here are our takeaways from the Northwestern workouts and Braun's remarks.

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Not a finished product as a passer by any stretch, but can run-run. Very excited about bringing QB run as an actual threat.

Cue the drum hook. Enter the synthesizer line. Luther Vandross grabs the Mike. Boo Buie grabs the ball. And we’re off.

The regular season is over. It’s March Madness. There’s nothing left in front of us other than recognition for a great season on a national stage and at least two opportunities to finish it off with something truly special.

Let’s enjoy it.

Maybe I haven’t paid any attention at all, but Revsine mentioned as he was walking off the court that Boo “wanted to commit to UMass, but they wouldn’t accept his commitment.”

Is there a more complete telling of the story somewhere?

His Rivals 2018 profile does show a UMass offer. Was it a “non-commitable offer”, Harbaugh style?

What a totally singular player. Let’s not take 50 years to get ‘0’ in the rafters.

And if they beat Wisky we get the double bye in BTT (good to save our legs if nothing else)

@EvanstonCat got me thinking.

Which opposing Big Ten team / fanbase do you dislike the most? (The schools are listed as they came to mind, but I’ll admit that I listed OSU first to avoid a stinkbomb in the mail from ECat).

I wanted to include Notre Dame… but then how do you exclude Duke, Miami (OH), or our other traditional/historical rivals? Let’s keep it simple.

We know our team is in, other teams thrashing around for position. This is great

@lou v has the list for Northwestern's visitors this weekend for the first week of spring practice. The Wildcats are hosting 13 different recruits, including two quarterbacks, on Saturday.

A quick update on Saturday’s baker’s dozen of recruits:

Marcus Romain (QB) - committed
Josh Veldman (LB) - committed

Cameron Herron (DL) - offered
Marcus Mayne (DL) - offered
Dube Enongen (WR) - offered

Leo Hannan (QB) - not offered
Justin Bell (OL) - not offered
Jack Paris (LB) - not offered
Tobi Adewoyin (WR) - not offered

Bradley Gompers (ATH) - prev offer, dnc
Darin Strey ( OL) - prev offer, dnc
Lucas Allgeyer (OL) - prev offer, dnc
Gerritt Kemp (WR) - prev offer, dnc

To anybody that was at the game last night did TB or Big matt Participate in senior night festivities? Because if not, that would basically guarantee that they will be coming back for the Covid year, correct?

Here's my story on 2025 PG Phoenix Gill's offer and visit to Northwestern.

@lou v talked to Northwestern's latest commit to their Class of 2025, LB Josh Veldman, about the process that led him to commit to NU.

Check out @lou v’s column from Boo Buie’s last game at Welsh-Ryan Arena.