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Northwestern football had a great season in 2017. It wasn’t ideal, but it was still entertaining and rewarding, which is what counts, right? There were many, many plays during the season, but we picked 10 of the best to remember what happened in 2017. Here they are, in no particular order.
UPDATE: I don’t know how we forgot about this play from the Iowa game.
Overtime.
— NorthWWWWWWWWestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 23, 2017
Third down.
We needed nine yards.
Justin Jackson made three Hawkeyes miss and got us 23.
(feat. @DaveEanet) #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/EZwWuIufbE
1. Nate Hall gets a walk-off interception in triple overtime against Michigan State
Dear @NUFBFamily,
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) October 29, 2017
Loved the win yesterday. Our hearts wouldn't mind a less dramatic game, a non-OT one, in Week 10.
Sincerely,
Fans pic.twitter.com/v7aJ8uvwzz
This play saved Northwestern’s season, even if it gave some of us a minor heart attack while it was happening.
2. Bennett Skowronek makes a highlight reel catch.
Bennett Skowronek says "GIMME THAT." What a catch. pic.twitter.com/tYdAXPpIhA
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 25, 2017
Bennett Skowronek is going to be really good next season, mark my words.
3. Jeremy Larkin switches field and scores on a 24-yard TD run.
Larkin is going to be amazing next season as well.
Tried to get a 5th year. They said I'm washed up and everyone wants to see @DEUCE__8 ball now. I said okay, understood #futureGOAT https://t.co/sOpsjkFMPG
— Justin Jackson (@J_ManPrime21) December 30, 2017
4. Justin Jackson’s entire game vs. Nebraska
I know this isn’t one play, but I suggest taking a moment to watch these cut-up highlights on YouTube. Jackson’s performance against Nebraska was just clinical.
5. Joe Gaziano sacks Cam Thomas, Sam Miller recovers the fumble for a score
Joe Gaziano has two more years!
6. The Kyle Queiro pick-six in the Music City Bowl
The best Saftey in America!!!! Kyle Queiro https://t.co/Tm8QlyHAlo
— GridIron Group (@GRIDIRONGANGinc) December 30, 2017
This was arguably Northwestern’s most important play of the entire season. Without this pick-six, Northwestern would’ve probably lost the Music City Bowl. With it...Northwestern only nearly lost the Music City Bowl. But it was still an unbelievable play to cap an unbelievable career.
7. Justin Jackson runs for a 79-yards against Illinois
I can’t seem to embed this one, but here’s the link on ESPN. He was marked down on the 1 but scored on the next play.
8. Hunter Niswander’s 80-yard Punt
You punt the ball 80 yards, you're going to garner attention.@NUFBFamily's @HunterNiswander is Week 8 special teams player of the week. pic.twitter.com/pS7Imz9qzq
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) October 23, 2017
That’s a beauty from Hunter the Punter.
9. Justin Jackson throws a TD pass against Michigan State.
What can't @J_ManPrime21 do?
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 28, 2017
If you answered "throw a TD pass," you are wrong.@NUFBFamily takes the lead on the trick play. pic.twitter.com/jLJw0zbmQN
I know Northwestern fans now despise RB passes, but this one from earlier in the season worked to perfection. It wasn’t the prettiest pass of all time, but it was a fantastic play call and a key TD.
10. Godwin Igwebuike’s fumble return against Bowling Green
Ah, Bowling Green. What a time.