The 1973 Northwestern Wildcats team represented Northwestern University in the 1973 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first year under head coach John Pont, the Wildcats compiled a 4–7 record (4–4 against Big Ten Conference opponents) and finished in a four-way tie for fourth place in the Big Ten Conference.[2]
The team's offensive leaders were quarterback Mitch Anderson with 1,224 passing yards, Stan Key with 894 rushing yards, and Steve Craig with 479 receiving yards.[3] Four Northwestern players received All-Big Ten honors. They are: (1) tight end Steve Craig (AP-1, UPI-1); (2) linebacker Mike Varty (AP-1, UPI-2); (3) quarterback Mitch Anderson (AP-2, UPI-2); and (4) running back Stan Key (AP-2).[4][5]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
|---|
| September 15 | | Michigan State | | W 14–10 | 27,305 |
| September 22 | | at No. 8 Notre Dame* | | L 0–44 | 59,075 |
| September 29 | | Pittsburgh* | - Dyche Stadium
- Evanston, IL
| L 14–21 | 24,462 |
| October 6 | 1:30 p.m. | Ohio* | - Dyche Stadium
- Evanston, IL
| L 12–14 | 21,056 |
| October 13 | | Iowa | - Dyche Stadium
- Evanston, IL
| W 31–15 | 25,194 |
| October 20 | | at Purdue | | L 10–21 | 57,657 |
| October 27 | | at No. 1 Ohio State | | L 0–60 | 87,453 |
| November 3 | | Minnesota | - Dyche Stadium
- Evanston, IL
| L 43–52 | 30,081 |
| November 10 | | at Indiana | | W 21–20 | 41,053 |
| November 17 | | at Wisconsin | | L 34–36 | 46,248 |
| November 24 | | Illinois | - Dyche Stadium
- Evanston, IL (rivalry)
| W 9–6 | 26,117 |
- *Non-conference game
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
|
Personnel
| 1973 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
|
| Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| QB
|
|
Mitch Anderson
|
| RB
|
|
Rich Boothe
|
| RB
|
|
Greg Boykin
|
| TE
|
|
Steve Craig
|
| WR
|
|
Mike Darraugh
|
| OL
|
|
Ray Felton
|
| OL
|
|
James Foskett
|
| WR, P
|
|
Wayne Frederickson
|
| QB
|
|
Kim Girkins
|
| WR
|
|
Steve Harris
|
| OL
|
|
Donnie Haynes
|
| OL
|
|
Paul Hiemenz
|
| RB
|
21
|
Stan Key (C)
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
|
Larry Lilja
|
| TE
|
|
Frank Lutostanski
|
| WR
|
|
Pat McNamara
|
| RB
|
|
Jim Pooler
|
| WR
|
|
Bill Stevens
|
| RB
|
|
Jim Trimble
|
| TE
|
|
Scott Yelvington
|
|
Defense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| LB
|
|
Steve Anenen
|
| DL
|
|
Doug Belko
|
| DL
|
|
Darryl Branford
|
| DB
|
|
Charles Hickerson
|
| DL
|
|
John Holliday
|
| DB
|
|
Neil Little
|
| DL
|
|
Paul Maly
|
| DL
|
|
Rob Mason
|
| DB
|
|
Ken Shaw
|
| DL
|
|
Jamie Summerfelt
|
| DB
|
|
Greg Swanson
|
| LB
|
|
Mike Varty
|
| DB
|
|
Pete Wessel
|
|
Special teams
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
|
References
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| Venues | |
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| Bowls & rivalries | |
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| Culture and lore | |
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| People | |
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| Seasons | |
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