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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Northwestern

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11/24/20 - John Raine, Sr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Even Pat Fitzgerald will admit it: Northwestern tried to keep John Raine a secret. Despite an impressive resume of two bowl wins and nearly 350 receiving yards in his senior season at Florida Atlantic, the tight end was relatively unknown to a Big Ten crowd until this April, when the whispers of a connection between him and the Wildcats first came about. After four years with the Owls, Raine was looking to use his fifth year of eligibility somewhere new. But when he told 247Sports that NU was among his top four - alongside Florida State, USF and Arkansas - it came a bit out of left field. Twelve days later, Raine announced his commitment to the Cats. He'd bypassed schools who had two of his former offensive coordinators at FAU and bought into what Fitzgerald and new play-caller Mike Bajakian were selling up in Evanston.

"We tried to keep John really quiet," Fitzgerald said at a press conference earlier this season. "(I've) probably got to coach the guys up to be a little bit more coy, but John's a really good player. A really, really good player." Six months since his commitment, Raine is quiet no more. Through the Cats' first four games of the 2020 season, he's debuted as one of fellow graduate transfer Peyton Ramsey's favorite targets, pulling in 11 catches for 112 yards and one touchdown. - The Daily Northwestern

Sr/2021

FB John Raine, Northwestern
News Source: The Daily Northwestern
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11/23/20 - Blake Gallagher, Sr/2021, Northwestern + More +

NOV 23 BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Blake Gallagher, Northwestern, Sr., LB, Raynham, Mass./Saint Sebastian's,...Recorded a team-high 14 tackles in a victory against Wisconsin, his second 14-tackle effort in the last three weeks...Added a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the contest...Anchored a defense that held the Badgers to seven points and zero snaps in the red zone, while turning the Badgers over five times...Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor...Last Northwestern Defensive Player of the Week: Chris Bergin (Nov. 9, 2020). - Big Ten Football

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OLB Blake Gallagher, Northwestern
News Source: Big Ten Football
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11/23/20 - Paddy Fisher, rSr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Northwestern continues to put up impressive defensive numbers. The 17-7 win over then-No. 10 Wisconsin marked the first time the 11th-ranked Wildcats held a Top 10 opponent to seven points or fewer in 53 years. They're holding opponents to just 12.6 points, third-best among teams that have played at least five games, and they've shut out four of their five opponents in the second half. Wisconsin came into the game having put up 45 and 49 points in its first two games, respectively. The Badgers' touchdown came on a 49-yard pass. No other drive penetrated deeper than the Northwestern 23. Especially impressive was that the Wildcats' defense was on the field for 37 minutes and 82 plays. - AP College Football

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ILB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
News Source: AP College Football
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11/21/20 - Peyton Ramsey, rSr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Peyton Ramsey threw two touchdown passes and No. 19 Northwestern shut down Graham Mertz and No. 10 Wisconsin for a 17-7 victory on Saturday that put the undefeated Wildcats in control of the Big Ten West. Northwestern forced five turnovers - four in the first half - and sacked Mertz three times in its first win over a top-10 team since a 28-25 victory over No. 9 Nebraska on Nov. 5, 2011. Ramsey, a graduate transfer from Indiana, was 23 for 44 for 203 yards, and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman had four receptions for 95 yards. The Wildcats improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2015.

They also moved to 5-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1996. Wisconsin (2-1, 2-1) had committed just one turnover this year, a fumble during a 45-7 victory over Illinois on Oct. 23. The Badgers then had back-to-back games canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the program before rolling to a 49-11 win at Michigan last weekend. Mertz, a redshirt freshman, lost a fumble and threw the first three interceptions of his career against Northwestern. Senior running back Garrett Groshek also lost a fumble in his return after he missed the victory against the Wolverines. The Badgers still managed to stay in the game thanks to their stout defense. But Charlie Kuhbander kicked a 32-yard field goal with 11:35 left, and Northwestern finished off another second-half shutout. The Wildcats have allowed just 10 points in the final two quarters this season. - Northwestern/AP College Football

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QB Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern
News Source: Northwestern/AP College Football
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11/14/20 - Peyton Ramsey, rSr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Peyton Ramsey threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns, all to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, and No. 23 Northwestern beat Purdue 27-20 on Saturday. The Wildcats defense also made two late stops to preserve a fifth straight Big Ten win and the school's first 4-0 start in league play since coach Pat Fitzgerald was still playing in 1996. Purdue (2-1) has lost five straight home games in the series. Ramsey completed 23 of 36 and had one interception but looked as poised and efficient as he did last November when he led Indiana to an overtime victory at Purdue. And he didn't waste any time getting started. An 8-yard TD pass on the opening possession ended Chiaokhiao-Bowman's three-year scoring drought and gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. After the teams traded field goals and Aidan O'Connell tossed a tying 40-yard scoring pass to Garrett Miller on fourth-and-1, Ramsey went back to work. He completed all seven passes on the ensuing drive, hooking up with Chiaokhiao-Bowman on an 18-yarder that gave Northwestern a 17-10 halftime lead. - AP College Football

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QB Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern
News Source: AP College Football
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11/09/20 - Chris Bergin, rSr/2022, Northwestern + More +

NOV 9 BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chris Bergin, Northwestern, Sr., LB, Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Detroit Country Day,...Recorded 11 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, to guide Northwestern to a win against Nebraska...Secured the win with a fourth-quarter interception on the Northwestern 2-yard line and also added two pass break-ups...Anchored a defense that has yet to allow a point in the second half this season...Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor...Last Northwestern Defensive Player of the Week: Joe Gaziano (Sept. 16, 2019). - Big Ten Football

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OLB Chris Bergin, Northwestern
News Source: Big Ten Football
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11/07/20 - Peyton Ramsey, rSr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Peyton Ramsey shook off two interceptions to throw for two touchdowns in the second half, and Northwestern hung on to beat Nebraska 21-13 Saturday after Luke McCaffrey's last-second pass to Wan'Dale Robinson in the end zone fell incomplete. Seven of the previous nine meetings since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011 were decided by seven points or fewer. Six were within a field goal. This was the fourth in a row to come down to the final play of regulation or go to overtime. Nebraska took over at its 8 with 2:14 remaining after Northwestern punted and had a fourth down at the 14 when McCaffrey was unable to connect with Robinson.

The Wildcats (3-0, 3-0 Big Ten) got the ball back with a second left and took a knee to cap yet another tight game with the Cornhuskers (0-2, 0-2). Ramsey threw a 2-yard touchdown to John Raine in the third and a 10-yarder to Riley Lees early in the fourth, making it 21-13. Chris Bergin intercepted Luke McCaffrey near the goal line with about six minutes remaining to preserve the lead. The Wildcats remained unbeaten in their best start since they won their first five games in 2015. They also improved to 3-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2000. Ramsey, a graduate transfer from Indiana, settled down after getting intercepted twice by redshirt freshman Myles Farmer in the second quarter. He completed 16 of 27 passes for 169 yards. - AP College Football

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QB Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern
News Source: AP College Football
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10/31/20 - Blake Gallagher, Sr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Jesse Brown scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, and Northwestern erased an early 17-point deficit to beat Iowa 21-20 on Saturday. The Wildcats outscored the Hawkeyes 21-3 after the first quarter, eating up clock and keeping Iowa's offense out of rhythm. Ramsey helped create that momentum, throwing for 130 yards on 11-of-18 passing and running for 26. Isaiah Bowser had 25 carries for 85 yards for the Wildcats (2-0). Spencer Petras threw all three of his interceptions in the second half, the last one on a tipped ball that linebacker Blake Gallagher picked off, allowing Northwestern to go into victory formation. Iowa's 17-0 first-quarter lead came after Northwestern gifted the Hawkeyes (0-2) with two turnovers - a muffed punt inside the 5-yard line and a fumble near midfield. Kyric McGowan scored on a 3-yard run and Brown scored from the 1 to pull the Wildcats within 20-14. Iowa punted three times, had three passes intercepted and turned the ball over on downs on seven second-half possessions that netted a total of 104 yards. - AP College Football

Sr/2021

OLB Blake Gallagher, Northwestern
News Source: AP College Football
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10/27/20 - Peyton Ramsey, rSr/2021, Northwestern + More +

One of the reasons the Wildcats struggled last year (3-9 overall, 1-8 in the Big Ten) was because they couldn't find a quarterback. Hunter Johnson, a transfer from Clemson, was destined to be a star, but got beat out by T.J. Green. who was injured in the first game after completing 6 of his first 10 passes. Johnson's star never shined, completing 50 of 108 passes last year with one touchdown and four interceptions. Peyton Ramsey entered the picture this season, a graduate transfer from Indiana. If Saturday's 43-3 win over Maryland is any indication, it looks like Northwestern found a winner. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder completed 23 of 30 passes for 212 yards on Saturday with one TD. He also rushed for 47 yards and another TD. "Really proud of his performance today," Fitzgerald said after the game. Ramsey was a team captain at Indiana last year and completed 204 of 300 passes for 2,454 yards with 13 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also started all 12 games for the Hoosiers in 2018, passing for 2,875 yards and 19 TDs. - The Gazette

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QB Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern
News Source: The Gazette
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10/26/20 - Charlie Kuhbander, rSr/2022, Northwestern + More +

OCT 26 BIG TEN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Charlie Kuhbander, Northwestern,...Sr., K, Springboro, Ohio/Springboro...Was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals on a blustery night at Ryan Field against Maryland...Converted a pair of field goals from 43 yards, including one as time expired in the second quarter...Converted on all four PAT attempts to total 13 points on the night...Earns his second career Special Teams Player of the Week honor and first since Oct. 16, 2017...Last Northwestern Special Teams Player of the Week: Chris Bergin (Nov. 18, 2019). - Big Ten Football

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K Charlie Kuhbander, Northwestern
News Source: Big Ten Football
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10/24/20 - Peyton Ramsey, rSr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Peyton Ramsey threw for 212 yards in his Northwestern debut, Drake Anderson ran for 103 and the Wildcats gave coach Pat Fitzgerald his 100th victory, pounding Maryland 43-3 on Saturday night. Northwestern raced to a 30-3 halftime lead and racked up 537 total yards. It was just the sort of start the Wildcats were seeking after going from playing for the conference championship in 2018 to finishing last in the Big Ten West. Ramsey, a graduate transfer from Indiana, looked comfortable in his new surroundings. He completed 23 of 30 passes and scrambled for a first-quarter touchdown - a promising start for a quarterback who helped lead the Hoosiers to their first eight-win season since 1993 last year.

Anderson had a 37-yard TD run. A.J. Hampton helped set up a touchdown with an interception. Charlie Kuhbander kicked three field goals. And Fitzgerald, by far Northwestern’s winningest coach, got a milestone win to open his 16th season. Maryland opted to start Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa at quarterback over redshirt freshman Lance LeGendre. And he struggled in a big way. Tagovailoa was 14 for 25 for 94 yards and three interceptions. And the Terrapins opened coach Mike Locksley’s second season on a familiar note after losing nine of their final 10 games in 2019. - Northwestern/AP College Football

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QB Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern
News Source: Northwestern/AP College Football
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10/20/20 - Samdup Miller, rSr/2022, Northwestern + More +

When Northwestern takes the field next Saturday against Maryland, they will be short a couple of key pieces. In a team statement released Friday, it was announced that senior defensive end Samdup Miller, senior quarterback Aidan Smith, senior safety Travis Whillock and redshirt sophomore tight end Jason Whittaker were all opting out of the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Miller is certainly the Cats' most experienced player to opt out with 35 career starts entering this season - the most of any returner coming into this season. But NU has the competitive depth to replace him. In a press conference last week, defensive coordinator Mike Hankitz said he's been impressed with senior defensive end Earnest Brown IV and sophomore Eku Leota, who have both shown promise when given the opportunity. - The Daily Northwestern

rSr/2022

DE Samdup Miller, Northwestern
News Source: The Daily Northwestern
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10/08/20 - Blake Gallagher, Sr/2021, Northwestern + More +

Senior linebackers Blake Gallagher, Paddy Fisher and Chris Bergin have spent their entire NU careers playing together. They're the stalwarts of the defense, and last year combined for 127 solo tackles and 17 tackles for loss. "That bond that we've built over these past couple of years is huge, especially in a weird year like this," Gallagher said. "We're kind of all on the same page. We've been out there, we've had the experience with each other, we kind of know what each other's gonna do. We can play off of each other."

The trio leads a defense that struggled to make game changing plays. Last year, the Cats compiled just seven interceptions, down from 12 the year prior. After forcing 15 fumbles in 2018, NU recorded just 10 last season. Gallagher said the defense is focusing on recovering those disruptive tendencies. They've found new drills to sharpen their skills and are preaching a hungrier mentality. "Our goal is to be the best defense in the Big Ten," Gallagher said. "We set out goals every year for our linebackers to be the most physical linebacking corps in the Big Ten and that hasn't changed in our time here. That's what we're gonna go out and try to do this year again. Just pride ourselves on stopping the run." - The Daily Northwestern

Sr/2021

OLB Blake Gallagher, Northwestern
News Source: The Daily Northwestern
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09/08/20 - Rashawn Slater, Sr/2021, Northwestern + More +

2021 SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST: Rashawn Slater, Northwestern,...Slater, who is on track to graduate in December, started 37 games over three seasons for the Wildcats, which included a streak of 30 consecutive starts from the 2017-19 seasons. The Sugar Land, Texas, native helped pave the way to two bowl victories and a Big Ten Conference West Division title during his time with the Wildcats. Slater earned Freshman Team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 before rounding out his 'Cats career with third team (2018) and honorable mention (2019) conference honors. - Northwestern Football

Sr/2021

OG Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
News Source: Northwestern Football
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09/08/20 - Samdup Miller, rSr/2022, Northwestern + More +

2021 SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST: Samdup Miller, Northwestern,...Miller started all 14 games at defensive end in 2019...Posted a single-season career high 53 total tackles and ranked fourth on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss. - Northwestern Football

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