The Wildcats won a big one today in Evanston over the Purdue Boilermakers, dominating from start to finish. Northwestern shut out Purdue, finishing with 19 points, and it did so in front of a special crowd.

Not only was it the annual "parent's weekend" on campus, but the 1995 Rose Bowl team was also in attendance for today's game. The Wildcats honored the group in the north end zone between the first and second quarters for its 30th anniversary.

The 'Cats lost to USC in the Rose Bowl that season, but they were the story of college football. As underdogs, they made a shocking run to what was, at the time, one of the ultimate prizes in college football.

The head coach of that team was Gary Barnett, who was present at today's game. He spoke to the team before today's game, according to David Braun, who said it was a "pinch yourself moment."

Recent former head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was a linebacker on the '95 squad, was also in attendance. Fitzgerald was fired after Northwestern's hazing scandal before the 2023 season, and he'd been in legal battles with the university earlier this year, so his presence was meaningful.

Steve Schnur quarterbacked the Rose Bowl 'Cats, but running back Darnell Autry was also a stud who helped lead them there. The Big Ten leading rusher went for 1,785 yards on the ground that season.

The 'Cats honored the alumni about as fittingly as they possibly could have on the field against Purdue. Northwestern was stout defensively, especially in the running game. The Boilermakers finished with just 87 total rushing yards in the contest.

On offense, NU continued to establish its identity as a run-first, bruising offense. Its offensive line was barreling over defenders, especially early on, and the 'Cats finished with a whopping 232 yards on the ground.

Once again, it took the pressure off Preston Stone. Northwestern's signal caller threw for just 132 yards in the game, but he didn't have to do any more than that. He did throw a pick, but he did his job for most of the game.

Today was a historically significant day in program history, and the 'Cats harnessed that motivation exactly how they needed. It was a much different venue in Evanston, one that won't be used again for football in the near future, but there were shades of 1995's team on the field today.

“Really excited to come out with a win and thrilled that we were able to do it while also celebrating our ‘95 Rose Bowl team," Braun said. "To see that group out there today after the first quarter and have Coach Barnett and the rest of that crew in attendance, special day for the ‘Cats.”

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