Braun fired up after NU’s narrow loss to Michigan, vows to flip script

One of the day's biggest upsets in college football was brewing at Wrigley Field.

However, it was tough to feel much excitement in the air. The mood was tense, because the sold-out crowd was probably 85% Michigan fans.

Northwestern rallied from a 21-9 deficit, took the lead early in the fourth quarter, then the defense turned Michigan away twice. The third time did the trick, though. Dominic Zvada booted a 31-yard field goal on the game's final play and the No. 18 Wolverines escaped with a 24-22 victory on Saturday.

What would have happened if the Wildcats enjoyed a rowdy home-field advantage in this game? Their goal is to create one when the new Ryan Field opens next year in Evanston.

“I have full faith in the fact that we are going to turn new Ryan Field into a huge home-field advantage,” NU coach David Braun said after the game. “I have no doubt in my mind.”

The Wildcats are close to making it happen on the field, but at 5-5, they are still one win away from becoming bowl eligible. They'll host Minnesota next Saturday at Wrigley Field.

“What I'm responsible for is making sure that we put a team on that field that ultimately makes it come to life,” Braun said of the new stadium. “I'll also challenge our fan base, I'll challenge people in the Chicagoland area that have young kids. They're not sure where their allegiance lies, want to experience Big Ten football in the best stadium in the world for football.

“Why would you not want to be a part of that and be wearing purple while you do it? Maybe the seven-year-old young man that was here as a Michigan fan with his dad, comes to his first game at the new Ryan Field and has such a good time, that ultimately he's like, 'Dad, I appreciate that you're a Michigan fan, but I'm a Cats fan now.'”

Ultimately, Michigan dominated the total yardage, 496-245, but accomplished a rare feat — winning a game while losing the turnover battle 5-0. Zvada also missed 2 field goals earlier in the contest. One was a relative chip shot from 34 yards on the game's first possession. The other was a 60-yarder that barely missed on the final play of the first half.

Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, the nation's No. 1 recruit in the Class of '25, had thrown just 3 interceptions all season, then tossed two in the fourth quarter. Running back Jordan Marshall left the game with an injury after rushing for 142 yards on 19 carries. Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore said X-rays were negative after the game, so Marshall may have escaped serious injury.

Northwestern's sixth-year tight end Hunter Welcing from Lake Zurich had the best performance of his college career, with 4 catches for 81 yards. He hauled in a 24-yard pass to the 1-yard line, setting up a TD that brought Northwestern within 21-16.

Three plays later, Braden Turner stepped in front of an Underwood pass and returned it 29 yards to the 6. Running back Caleb Komolafe ran it in and the Wildcats led with 12:05 remaining.

NU got another interception, by Robert Fitzgerald, and recovered a fumble on a fourth-and-one, but it wasn't enough, as Michigan methodically moved into field-goal range on its next drive.

“None of us want to hear, 'Hey, good effort, guys. You gave Michigan a run for their money. That was a great effort,'” Braun said. “Don't mistake our program's politeness for weakness.

“The expectation is to win a Big Ten championship, and to win Big Ten championships, you've got to find a way to beat Nebraska on the road. You've got to find a way to beat USC on the road. And when you've got your foot on somebody's throat at home, a team like Michigan, you've got to put them away.”

Braun mentioned putting everyone on notice, including officials, that the Wildcats won't accept pats on the back for narrow losses. Maybe that was code for being disappointed in a few calls, although Michigan also had a touchdown called back in the first quarter.

“Putting the world on notice that this isn't just the good old Cats that are going to try their best,” Braun added. “We expect the same treatment, expectation and everything that goes into it. I know there's big boys in this conference. Well, good. Bring them on.”