All- time series record: Michigan leads 60-15-2
Most recent meeting: Michigan won 50-6 in 2024
First meeting: Northwestern won 10-8 in 1892
Largest margin of victory: Michigan 69-0 in 1975, Northwestern 55-24 in 1958
As a kid growing up in the Chicagoland area, Michigan vs Northwestern was always a fun matchup. The city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs are littered with Northwestern fans, and Ryan Field in Evanston was a short commute away to catch a game. I was lucky enough to attend two games when Michigan was in town growing up.
I was always amazed by the maize and blue takeover in the streets when Michigan football was in town. There was a sense that the big boys were in town to take over little ole Northwestern, and I enjoyed that feeling. This game has taken on a new meaning in recent years, as it is now a battle for the George Jewett trophy. This trophy was established in 2021 as a way to honor Jewett, who was the first African American player for both Michigan and Northwestern. Michigan is undefeated in games that have been played for the George Jewett trophy.
Favorite game from the series: Michigan 33, Northwestern 17 in 2005.
This game has a special place in my heart because I was in attendance as a middle school student decked out in Michigan football gear, watching my favorite team play. A top 25 matchup featured the 25th-ranked Wolverines taking on the 21st-ranked Wildcats. Northwestern was having one of its best seasons and had sights set on a Big Ten title. Michigan was having somewhat of a disappointing season with three losses coming into the game.
Michigan was without Michael Hart and had to lean on Kevin Grady and Jerome Jackson in the run game. Michigan started fast driving right down the field for a touchdown on their first possession and then forcing a fumble on Northwestern's first possession that Leon Hall scooped and scored to give the Wolverines a 14-0 lead.
Northwestern had some explosive plays, but Michigan football controlled the game the entire way and pulled out the 33-17 road victory in Evanston. Jackson and Grady combined for 169 yards with a touchdown, and Jason Avant led the receiving corps with five catches for 67 yards. The defense forced a fumble and had two interceptions, and Garrett Rivas was phenomenal in the kicking game, going 4/4 on field goal attempts.
Future outlook
Michigan football and Northwestern have locked in dates to play in 2025 and 2028 as of now. They will play in more future matchups as well, but those are the only two locked-in dates as of now. The 2025 battle for the George Jewett trophy will happen on the north side of Chicago at historic Wrigley Field on November 15th. A mid-November matchup, on what should be a chilly afternoon in Chicago, between two historic universities will be quite the spectacle.
Let's hope Michigan keeps the momentum going vs the Cats after throttling Northwestern 50-6 last year in the second-to-last week of the regular season.