Wildcats Head To Ann Arbor For George Jewett Trophy Game

ANN ARBOR – Northwestern readies for its fifth and final road game of the season when it takes on Michigan at Michigan Stadium. The Wildcats and Wolverines will meet for the first time since 2021 and play for the George Jewett Trophy.

Last time out, the Wildcats took on No. 2 Ohio State at Wrigley Field. The 'Cats jumped ahead early but couldn't keep pace in a 31-7 setback. Jack Lausch tallied his second rushing touchdown of the season to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter to cap off a 13-play, 92-yard scoring drive. Lausch led the way for the NU offense on the afternoon, finishing 21-of-35 through the air for 201 yards.

How to Follow

Watch on FS1: Action will be televised on Fox Sports 1, Tim Brando is on the call (play-by-play), alongside Devin Gardner (analyst), and Josh Sims (sideline reporter). Direct Link to Watch Online (Sign-In with TV Provider)

Listen on ESPN 1000AM: The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, returns for his 35th season calling Northwestern Football. Eanet will be joined on the call by 31st-year analyst Ted Albrecht, along with Lauren Withrow on the sideline. The broadcast can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 380. Direct Link to Listen Online

Follow In-Game Updates (NUFBFamily): Stay tuned to Northwestern Football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos, and reactions throughout Saturday's contest.

Five Things to Know

Saturday will be the 72nd contest between Northwestern and Michigan, a series that dates to 1892. The Wildcats look for their first win since 2008 when they claimed a 21-14 victory at the Big House. The Northwestern defense has not surrendered a passing touchdown to Michigan in each of their last four meetings.
Northwestern and Michigan will play for the George Jewett Trophy for the second time since it was established on Feb. 25, 2021. Jewett was the first African-American to play football at each institution. He played for Michigan during the 1890 and 1892 seasons as a fullback and halfback and was the team's main kicker, all while studying medicine. He left Michigan for Northwestern in 1893 to finish his medical degree. While in Evanston, he also lettered and starred in football for the Wildcats for two seasons.
Northwestern's defense is surrendering 114.6 yards per game on the ground this season, which ranks seventh in the Big Ten and 28th nationally. Since at least 2000, Northwestern's 1,146 total rushing yards allowed this season is the second-fewest over a season's first 10 games.
The Wildcats rank second in the Big Ten and 15th nationally averaging 14.5 yards per punt return. Since 2020, Northwestern ranks second in the Big Ten averaging 10.4 yards per punt return, trailing Michigan State's 11.1 yards per return. Northwestern's special teams have recorded three blocks this season (1 punt, 2 FGs), which is tied for the Big Ten Conference lead. The Wildcats three blocked kicks are their most since 2022 (3).
Bryce Kirtz returned to the gridiron last week after missing two games due to injury but still leads the team with 506 receiving yards this season on 34 catches (14.9 ypc). He tallied seven catches for 92 yards against Ohio State, his fourth game this season with 90 or more receiving yards. Kirtz is t-2nd in the Big Ten with four games of 90 or more receiving yards this season. His four games of 90+ receiving yards are the most in a season at Northwestern since Biletnikoff Award Finalist Austin Carr had seven in 2016.

Up Next
Northwestern will close out its 2024 regular season on Saturday, November 30 with a 11:00 a.m. (CT) kickoff at Wrigley Field that will be broadcast on BTN and WGN 720 AM.

Wildcats Head To Ann Arbor For George Jewett Trophy Game

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Players Mentioned

Bryce Kirtz

Jack Lausch

Northwestern University Athletics