Former football coach Francis Peay died at age 69 Saturday morning, according to Northwestern officials.

Peay took over the Wildcats in 1986 and collected more wins than either of his two predecessors. By the time NU replaced him in 1992, the former All-American Missouri offensive lineman had racked up 13 wins, 51 losses and two ties. His four-win season in 1986 marked the most victories the Cats would muster until the Rose Bowl season nine years later.

Before coming to NU, Peay was picked in the first round of the 1966 National Football League Draft by the New York Giants. During his nine-year professional career he also played for the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs.

He and former offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar were honored Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field with a moment of silence before the Cats and Maine Black Bears began the game.

— Steven Montero