The 1979 Northwestern Wildcats team represented Northwestern University during the 1979 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second year under head coach Rick Venturi, the Wildcats compiled a 1–10 record (0–9 against Big Ten Conference opponents) and finished in last place in the Big Ten Conference.

The team's offensive leaders were quarterback Mike Kerrigan with 961 passing yards, Jeff Cohn with 426 rushing yards, and Todd Sheets with 614 receiving yards.

Northwestern's 54–21 loss to Syracuse on September 22 began a 34-game losing streak, the longest in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history. The Wildcats did not win another game until September 25, 1982.

Schedule

Roster

Team players in the NFL

References


Northwestern Wildcats football Are we the Legends Division frontrunner

Northwestern Wildcats Football History HeadtoHead, Undefeated Record

1979

A gridiron legacy uncovered How Northwestern football players risked

1979 prep football allstar teams Hawaii Prep World