2006 Northwestern Wildcats football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2006
Team=Northwestern Wildcats


Conference=Big Ten Conference
Division=
ShortConference=Big Ten
CoachRank=
APRank=
Record=4–8
ConfRecord=2–6
HeadCoach=Pat Fitzgerald
OffCoach=
DefCoach=
OScheme=
DScheme=
StadiumArena=Ryan Field
Champion=
BowlTourney=
BowlTourneyResult=

Randy Walker died unexpectedly on June 29, 2006 of an apparent heart attack at the age of 52. Pat Fitzgerald (seen by many before the tragedy as Walker's eventual successor once his contract expired) was promoted from linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator to head coach on July 7, 2006. Walker's death was not the team's only loss; the Wildcats also had to replace their offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and Brett Basanez, the team's former four-year starter at quarterback and holder of dozens of school records. Hence, the 2006 season was a departure from the previous years' successes. The season began with a win at Miami University, Walker's alma mater, an emotional game that featured several tributes to the late coach [ [http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAF_20060831_NW@MIAOH Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, NCAA Football, Northwestern Wildcats - CBSSports.com ] ] . However, the season went downhill from there. The second game was a blowout loss to I-AA New Hampshire. The low point was the October 21 home loss to Michigan State, in which the Spartans staged the largest comeback in Division I-A history. A win against Illinois in the final game gave the Wildcats a 4-8 record for the year and saved them from finishing last in the Big Ten. The high point of the season, despite being a loss, was playing a surprisingly close and competitive game against Michigan. Despite being held to -13 rushing yards, the Wildcats made the game a one-possession game early in the third quarter and prevented the Wolverines from scoring in the fourth quarter at all.

References