Captured: Northwestern blown out against Tennessee in Outback Bowl

Welcome to The Daily’s photo blog: Captured. This will be a space to share photos by The Daily’s staff as well as photos from members of our community. Students can submit entries to be considered from their classes, vacation or just from around NU by emailing [email protected].

TAMPA, Fla. — Friday could have been an exclamation point on a historic season, a celebration of one of the greatest teams in Northwestern history.

Instead, the Outback Bowl was a dud. The No. 13 Wildcats (10-3) trailed No. 23 Tennessee (9-4) from start to finish and were blown out after halftime, eventually falling 45-6.

—Alex Putterman

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Northwestern fans show off their team spirit. The Wildcats were “Team Coconut Shrimp” as part of a promotion with bowl sponsor Outback Steakhouse.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Sophomore linebacker Anthony Walker and junior receiver Andrew Scanlan share a moment late in Friday’s game.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
A Northwestern fan holds up a handmade sign before the start of Friday’s game.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Junior cornerback Matthew Harris breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Northwestern’s defense allowed 194 passing yards in Friday’s loss.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Clayton Thorson escapes a collapsing pocket. The redshirt freshman quarterback wasn’t at his best Friday, completing just 8 of 20 passes.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Sophomore cornerback Keith Watkins II watches as Tennessee wide receiver Von Pearson is upended by Godwin Igwebuike. The sophomore safety had a career-high 14 total tackles on Friday.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Justin Jackson jukes away from a Tennessee defender. The sophomore running back scored Northwestern’s lone touchdown of the game.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf reaches out for a pass as sophomore safety Godwin Igwebuike defends. Northwestern’s secondary held Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs to a 56 percent completion percentage in the 45- 6 loss.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Jalen Hurd jogs into the end zone for a touchdown. Tennessee’s running back gashed the Wildcats for 130 yards on 24 carries.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Tennessee wide receiver Preston Williams elevates for a pass while sophomore cornerback Keith Watkins II defends. Watkins had a team-high 3 pass breakups in Friday’s game.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
A Northwestern fan waves during the game. The Wildcat faithful were largely outnumbered by Tennessee sympathizers within the confines of Raymond James Stadium.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Joshua Dobbs stretches out for the pylon. The athletic quarterback found the end zone twice on the ground.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Soloman Vault walks back toward his teammates in the fourth quarter. The sophomore running back caught a team-high 3 passes for 19 yards on Friday.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Sophomore safety Godwin Igwebuike tackles Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf short of the goal line. Northwestern’s defense gave up a season-high 45 points in Friday’s loss.

Sophie Mann/Daily Senior Staffer
Wide receiver Von Pearson turns up field on an end-around. Tennessee’s rushing attack compiled 226 total yards.

Sophie Mann/Daily Senior Staffer
Redshirt freshman left tackle Blake Hance and sophomore running back Justin Jackson hug after Jackson scored a touchdown. Jackson was effective Friday, but carried just 14 times.

Sophie Mann/Daily Senior Staffer
Pat Fitzgerald looks on from the sideline. After losing Friday, the coach is now 1-5 in bowl games with Northwestern.

Sophie Mann/Daily Senior Staffer
Clayton Thorson sits up after going to the ground. The redshirt freshman quarterback was sacked four times.

Sophie Mann/Daily Senior Staffer
Corey Acker gets taken down by two Tennessee defenders. The seldom-used sophomore running back entered the game late after the score was out of reach.

Sophie Mann/Daily Senior Staffer
Auston Anderson follows his blockers. The redshirt freshman running back was one of seven players to carry the ball for Northwestern.

Jacob Swan/Daily Senior Staffer
Dan Vitale walks off the field following Friday’s Outback Bowl. The senior superback caught 135 passes for 1,427 yards over his four seasons with the Wildcats.

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