Northwestern's Fitzgerald gets 7-year extension

Northwestern rewarded coach Pat Fitzgerald with a seven-year contract extension Tuesday after the team improved its wins total in each of the past two seasons.

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats watches the action on the field from the sidelines against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ryan...

Schlabach: Ranking the hardest, easiest nonconference schedules

Which teams are taking the nonconference hard road this season? Which ones have a soft landing? Mark Schlabach examines the schedules.

Hope and concern: Northwestern Wildcats

...against Minnesota. The Wildcats go two and three deep at every position and boast two aggressive corners in Sherrick McManis and Jordan Mabin. The defense as a whole should be Northwestern's strength...

Maisel: Venerable venues for fantasy matchups

With Army and Notre Dame possibly playing football at Yankee Stadium, these other matchups could rekindle memories.

Big East lunchtime links

...will be the Minnesota Golden Gophers followed by the Penn State Nittany Lions followed by the Northwestern Wildcats, all as a prelude to the Big East Conference where people like George Selvie, the South...

Northwestern spring wrap

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg Northwestern Wildcats 2008 overall record: 9-4 2008 conference record: 5-3 Returning starters Offense: 5; Defense: 8...

...2007; Evanston, IL, USA; Minnesota Gophers running back Amir Pinnix (29) is hit and flips over Northwestern Wildcats safety Brad Phillips (17) in the 2nd quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Tom Fluegge-US...

Illinois Fighting Illini v Northwestern Wildcats EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Juice Williams #7 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the...

...of the Illinois Fighting Illini awaits the snap of the football in pass coverage against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 22, 2008 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Illinois 27-10

...IL - SEPTEMBER 8: Luke Lippincott # 7 of the Nevada Wolf Pack carries the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats on September 8, 2007 at Ryan Field at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois

...NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kellen Lewis #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs with the football against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 10, 2007 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Indiana 31-28. (Photo...

Ohio State v Northwestern EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 08: Quarterback Mike Kafka #13 of the Northwestern Wildcats passes against of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ryan Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Evanston...

EVANSTON, IL - AUGUST 30: Defensive end Corey Wootton #99 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs in pursuit against the Syracuse Orangemen at Ryan Field on August 30, 2008 in Evanston...

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 8: Quarterback Mike Kafka #13 of the Northwestern Wildcats passes during a NCAA college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ryan Field on...