Saturday Football

On this day in 1982, Northwestern snaps 34-game losing streak

Northwestern ends their 34-game losing streak, the longest in the history of Division 1-A college football, by defeating Northern Illinois, 31–6, at Evanston, Illinois. The last win was a 27–22 decision over Wyoming at home on September 15, 1979. From October 18, 1975, through September 18, 1982, the Wildcats had a record of 3-71-1. On October 10, 1982, Northwestern will end a 38-game losing streak in the Big Ten by downing Minnesota, 31–21, at home. The last victory over a conference opponent was 21–7 over Illinois on November 19, 1977. On November 6, 1982, Northwestern will end a 45-game streak without a road win by beating Michigan State, 28–24, in East Lansing on a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining. Since their last win on the road in 1974, the school had 44 losses and a tie in away games. Under second year coach Dennis Green, Northwestern will finish the 1982 season with a record of 3-8-0.

(Via Page-A-Day Calendar)