Northwestern will look to build on a surprising bowl season in Saturday’s opener against Miami (Ohio) in Evanston.
Still reeling from a hazing and abuse scandal that engulfed the athletic department, the Wildcats were probably college football’s biggest surprise last season. They went 8-5 and beat Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl in coach David Braun’s first year after going a combined 4-20 the previous two seasons, including 1-11 in 2022.
The season opener for both teams will be Northwestern’s first in a temporary lakefront stadium while a new Ryan Field is built.
Miami is coming off one of its best years, going 11-3 and winning the MAC championship despite losing quarterback Brett Gabbert to a season-ending leg injury.
Time/TV: 2:30 p.m., BTN.
Line: Northwestern by 3.
Series: Miami leads 7-3, including 7-2 in Evanston.
Key matchup
Northwestern RB Cam Porter vs. Miami’s defensive line.
The Wildcats averaged just 2.9 yards per carry last season. If Porter gets room to run, he could be productive. He carried 166 times for 651 yards in 2023.
Players to watch
Miami: Gabbert is back for a sixth year after throwing for 1,634 yards and 14 touchdowns last season before missing the final six games. He ranks third all time at Miami with 7,893 passing yards and 8,375 total yards, and his 59 touchdown passes trail only Ben Roethlisberger (84) and Zac Dysert (73).
Northwestern: Mike Wright and Jack Lausch were competing for the quarterback job after Ben Bryant started most of the games last year in his lone season with the Wildcats. Wright made three starts last season for Mississippi State and threw for 453 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. The returning Lausch has six completions over two seasons.
Facts & figures
Miami is coming off its best season since the 2003 team featuring Roethlisberger finished 13-1 and set a school record for wins. … The RedHawks beat No. 23 Toledo in the MAC title game before losing to Appalachian State in the Cure Bowl. … Miami has another game against a power-conference team next week when it hosts Cincinnati, followed by a trip to No. 7 Notre Dame on Sept. 21. … This will be the Wildcats’ first of five games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, their primary home the next two seasons. The temporary stadium seats 15,000, far fewer than the old Ryan Field (47,000) and the new one (35,000).
