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The Daily Northwestern
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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

John Riker, Gameday Editor

John is a Medill senior from North Potomac, Maryland, and he really enjoys Star Wars. He currently works as the Gameday (football) editor and in the past has served in the web and sports editor positions. Last spring, he covered the NBA playoffs, the NFL Draft and the Atlanta Braves for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution through Medill’s journalism residency program. You can contact him through his email.

All content by John Riker
Riker: From start to finish, life at the Daily was always an adventure

Riker: From start to finish, life at the Daily was always an adventure

June 5, 2023
A football player in gray hoodie talks into a microphone.

Football: Northwestern’s four draft prospects shine in NFL Combine performances

March 5, 2023
Player in black uniform prepares to block a defender.

Football: Junior left tackle Peter Skoronski declares for NFL Draft

December 16, 2022
Man in blue hoodie poses with various items.

Riker: My experience perusing Bath & Body Works with 20 bucks

December 1, 2022
Players in purple jerseys tackle player in white jersey on a field.

Football: Riker: Everything we needed to know about the 2022 Wildcats, we learned on their home field.

November 27, 2022
Player in purple jersey and purple pants runs across a football field.

Rapid Recap: Illinois 41, Northwestern 3

November 26, 2022
Athletes in white shirts run on a cross country course.

Riker: Northwestern athletics should consider expanding. Adding women’s track and field is a great place to start.

November 21, 2022
Players in white uniforms dive to tackle an opponent.

Football: Injury-decimated Wildcats can’t complete upset bid to Purdue, suffer 10th straight loss

November 19, 2022
Player in black uniform sprints past a defender in a white uniform on a football field.

Football: What to Watch For: Wildcats aim to stifle Purdue’s passing attack in road contest

November 16, 2022
Players in white uniforms jog across a football field.

Football: Mo Ibrahim and Minnesota pummel Northwestern’s defense as Cats’ skid reaches nine games

November 12, 2022
Player in purple uniform drops back to pass against defenders in white uniforms.

Football: ‘It’s definitely something you learn as you go’: Wildcats detail their approaches to social media amid rough season

November 9, 2022
Players in black uniforms huddle in front of a crowd.

Football: Wild weather becomes game-changer in Northwestern’s loss to No. 2 Ohio State

November 5, 2022
Player in white uniform points forward with a football.

Football: From the trenches to the end zone: Duke Olges emerges as tight end threat

November 3, 2022
A basketball coach throws his hands in the year.

Men’s Basketball: 2022-23 Wildcat entrance survey

October 31, 2022
A basketball player wearing a purple-and-white Northwestern jersey and shorts with the number ‘12’ on it drives down a basketball court dribbling a basketball.

Women’s Basketball: 2022-23 Wildcat entrance survey

October 31, 2022
Players in black uniforms tackle player in white uniform on a football field.

Football: Riker: The Cats got crushed in Iowa. NU fans shouldn’t have expected anything different.

October 29, 2022
Players in black uniforms and black helmets stretch on a football field sideline.

Football: What to Watch For: Northwestern travels west to face defensive powerhouse Iowa

October 26, 2022
Players in black uniforms and black helmets stretch on a football field sideline.

Football: “Iron sharpening iron”: How competition between Adetomiwa Adebawore and Peter Skoronski has strengthened the Wildcats’ culture

October 19, 2022
Players in black uniforms and black helmets stretch on a football field sideline.

Football: From Ducks to Cats: Schill talks football following storied history with powerhouse Oregon

October 16, 2022
Coaches in black shirts talk to football players in purple jerseys on the sideline.

Football: Why is Northwestern football floundering? Five trends that explain the Wildcats’ abysmal start to 2022

October 14, 2022
Players in black uniforms crouch before a play begins.

Rapid Recap: Penn State 17, Northwestern 7

October 1, 2022
Graphic rendering of a football stadium.

Football: New Ryan Field designs look to reduced capacity, state-of-the-art canopy to enhance gameday atmosphere

September 28, 2022
Football players in purple uniforms and a coach in a black shirt walk onto a football field.

Football: “A modern take on a historic look”: Behind the scenes of Northwestern’s offseason uniform upgrade

September 28, 2022
A mascot stands in front of a group of similarly dressed students as they all witness a football game

Football: “All of our goals are still in sight”: Wildcats outline path forward after winless September

September 25, 2022
Player in white jersey attempts to catch a football.

Rapid Recap: Southern Illinois 31, Northwestern 24

September 17, 2022
Football player in black uniform dodges defenders in white uniforms.

Football: Inside running back Evan Hull’s emergence as Northwestern’s unstoppable receiving threat

September 14, 2022
Football players in black uniforms run onto a field

Football: Northwestern’s early defensive lapses doom Cats in upset loss to Duke

September 10, 2022
Football player in white jersey blocks defender in blue jersey.

Football: From separated shoulders to contested catches, Gordon and Navarro bring physicality to passing game

September 7, 2022
Players in purple jerseys embrace on a football field

Riker: With thrilling comeback in season opener, Northwestern football feels fun again

August 27, 2022
Players in purple uniforms with white pants run onto a football field.

Football Preview: Riker: Expect innovation and insightful stories from The Daily’s Gameday desk this fall

August 25, 2022
Football player in white jersey stares down two football players in red jerseys.

Football Notebook: Gallagher embraces crucial role on defense, Fitzgerald declines to reveal a starting quarterback

August 22, 2022
Three players in white uniforms tackle a player in a purple uniform.

Football Notebook: Niro honored with No. 1 uniform, Hilinski discusses changes

August 4, 2022
Players in white uniforms look downfield during a football game.

Football: What to know from Big Ten Football Media Days

July 27, 2022
Player in purple jersey looks to pass while defenders in gray jerseys close in.

Rapid Recap: Northwestern 67, Maryland 61

December 5, 2021
A man in blue jacket poses in a department store.

Riker: My experience perusing Macy’s with 20 bucks

December 1, 2021
Player in white jersey stands in front of player in blue jersey

Rapid Recap: Illinois 47, Northwestern 14

November 27, 2021
Orange background with NFL logo and two players in college and pro uniforms

Football: Next level rivalry: Comparing the impact of Wildcats, Fighting Illini on the pro game

November 23, 2021
Player in white jersey tries to pass the ball past player in blue jersey.

Rapid Recap: Northwestern 78, Georgia 62

November 23, 2021
A team of players in white shirts and black hats pose with a golden trophy.

Captured: Field Hockey wins first NCAA Championship

November 22, 2021
A football field located inside a baseball stadium.

Football: Despite another Big Ten blowout, Wrigley football eccentricities made Northwestern-Purdue special

November 20, 2021
Football player runs forward while baseball player reaches for a catch.

Football: Northwestern’s sports history at Wrigley Field

November 19, 2021
Player in purple jersey lunges for a loose ball.

Rapid Recap: Northwestern 83, New Orleans 67

November 16, 2021
Player in white jersey grimaces during a tackle.

Football: Wisconsin defense shuts down Wildcats in 35-7 beatdown

November 13, 2021
Football players in white jerseys pause between plays.

Football: Riker: Northwestern’s defense must prove itself in homestretch

November 11, 2021
Coaches in gray jackets talk on the sideline.

Men’s Basketball: Assistant coach Talor Battle aims to lift Wildcats and brother Boo’s game to new heights

November 8, 2021
Basketball player in white jersey attempts a jump shot.

Men’s Basketball: 2021-22 Wildcat basketball entrance survey

November 7, 2021
Player in purple uniform tackles player in white uniform

Football: Northwestern’s upset bid foiled in 17-12 home defeat to No. 22 Iowa

November 6, 2021
Player in back jersey stands along sideline.

Football: Historic senior class looking for Senior Day upset against Iowa

November 4, 2021
Player in white jersey stands on green grass.

Football: Northwestern returns to Big Ten West action as Minnesota comes to Evanston

October 28, 2021
Coach in black shirt paces the sideline.

Football: Who holds the edge in the third matchup between Pat Fitzgerald and Jim Harbaugh?

October 21, 2021
Player in purple jersey dives to floor to hit ball.

Volleyball: Northwestern suffers regular season sweep to Illinois, loses in four sets

October 21, 2021
Man in suit poses for a picture with man in black jersey.

“A pioneer almost everywhere I’ve gone”: Why Derrick Gragg is uniquely positioned to guide the future of Northwestern athletics

October 20, 2021
Players in white uniforms surround the coach in black polo.

Volleyball: Wildcats battle both opponents and fatigue to split four-game away stretch

October 18, 2021
Film strip features stills from the movie “No Time to Die.”

Reel Thoughts: ‘No Time To Die’ delivers on its promise as an epic Bond finale

October 12, 2021
Volleyball player celebrates a point with teammates.

Volleyball: Wildcats finding consistency in fall season after tumultuous spring

October 8, 2021
Linebacker in black jersey pulls down running back in white jersey.

Football: Inside Northwestern’s defensive struggles against big plays

October 8, 2021
Volleyball player aims for a hit.

Volleyball: Northwestern captures first Big Ten win, nearly upsets No. 7 Minnesota

October 3, 2021
Volleyball player communicates to a teammate.

Volleyball: Wildcats search for first Big Ten win in weekend matches against Rutgers, No. 7 Minnesota

October 1, 2021
Player in purple jersey makes hand motions

Football: Northwestern returns to Big Ten action against Nebraska on the road

September 30, 2021
A high school football stadium sits behind two teams on the field in orange and white, preparing for the action to start.

Captured: Wildkits defeat rival New Trier for the first time in ten years

September 27, 2021
Football receiver runs to the end zone.

Evanston Township captures first football victory over New Trier since 2010

September 26, 2021
Football player eyes down the defense.

Football: Ryan Hilinski wins first start for Northwestern, but rushing performance headlines offense

September 25, 2021
Volleyball player reaches up to hit the volleyball.

Volleyball: Wildcats win set against No. 12 Nebraska, but drop Big Ten opener at home

September 23, 2021
Film strip features stills from the movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”

Reel Thoughts: Marvel flick Shang-Chi sheds familiarity and achieves brilliance

September 22, 2021
An empty seat stands in an arena.

Riker: The Daily’s Sports desk is thrilled for this fall. There’s good reason for you to be, too.

September 21, 2021
Player in white jersey throws pass.

Football: Northwestern shuffles through three quarterbacks in 30-23 loss to Duke

September 18, 2021
Running back sprints for the end zone.

Football: “They will not stop the run”: How Northwestern’s running backs are making their presence felt in 2021

September 17, 2021
Football player runs into the end zone.

Football: Northwestern earns 24-6 win over Indiana State behind prolific ground game, stout defense

September 11, 2021
Football player evades opposing defenders.

Football: Twenty years ago, Northwestern saw its world upended by the 9/11 attacks

September 9, 2021
Football player looks for an opening in the defense.

Rapid Recap: Michigan State 38, Northwestern 21

September 3, 2021
A merchandise trailer outside a stadium features a football player flexing.

Football: From the sidelines to the student section, Northwestern welcomes fans back to Ryan Field

September 2, 2021
Basketball coach reacts to play on the court.

Men’s Basketball: Northwestern bolsters backcourt with four-star recruit Brumbaugh

August 30, 2021
Football player prepares to catch a snap.

Football Notebook: Hunter Johnson building rapport with NU offense ahead of season opener

August 28, 2021
Football player rushes through a hole in the defense.

Football: Injuries sideline Porter, Franks for 2021 season

August 17, 2021
Baseball player readies to hit the incoming pitch.

Baseball: After whirlwind 2021, Cats looking to find footing under Josh Reynolds

August 16, 2021
Basketball coach directs players on the court.

Men’s Basketball: After AD switch, 2021-22 could be prove-it year for Collins and Co.

August 16, 2021
A running back carries the football against three defenders.

Q&A: Washington Football Team President Jason Wright (Weinberg ’04) still making history after storied college career

July 7, 2021
Athletic director claps at basketball game with other fans.

Riker: This academic year showed Northwestern athletics at its best. Then, we saw its worst.

June 2, 2021
Reel Thoughts: “Clone Wars” spinoff “The Bad Batch” targets hardcore fans, but leaves casual viewers behind

Reel Thoughts: “Clone Wars” spinoff “The Bad Batch” targets hardcore fans, but leaves casual viewers behind

May 26, 2021
Northwestern player offers a fist bump on the field.

Baseball: Wildcats upset Iowa for first series victory since March

May 24, 2021
Northwestern player looks to first base between pitches.

Baseball: Northwestern drops two against Nebraska, cancels series finale amid health and safety concerns

May 16, 2021
Northwestern player prepares to hit the baseball.

‘Get it to Goose’: Inside Shawn Goosenberg’s emergence as Northwestern’s best batter

May 13, 2021
Man competes in freestyle swimming.

Q&A: Olympian Jordan Wilimovsky (Weinberg ’17) discusses swimming career, unusual 2020 Olympic cycle

April 28, 2021
Baseball players in purple and white uniforms stand in a huddle on the outfield grass.

Baseball: Northwestern falls to .500 after weekend losses to Indiana

April 18, 2021
Player in white jersey dives across brown dirt to white base stood over by player in black jersey

Baseball: Allen earns 100th win, but Northwestern drops two of three to Rutgers

April 12, 2021
Northwestern player fires a pitch from the mound.

Baseball: Northwestern returns to Miller Park for first time in nearly two years

April 8, 2021
Northwestern player crouches on the basepath, leading off from first base.

Baseball: Northwestern drops three of four but holds off No. 25 Michigan in finale

April 4, 2021
Men’s player Michael Trautwein crouches on the basepath, leading off from first base.

Baseball: Three takeaways from Northwestern’s surprising start

April 1, 2021
Men’s player attempts a layup.

Men’s Basketball: 2020-21 Men’s Basketball Exit Survey

March 12, 2021
Ryan Young shoots the ball. Young scored five points and pulled down four rebounds in Northwestern’s season-ending loss to Minnesota.

Men’s Basketball: Disastrous start, finish spell doom for Wildcats in season-ending loss to Minnesota

March 11, 2021
Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) engage in a heated debate in “WandaVision.” The nine-episode series released its final episode on March 6.

Reel Thoughts: “WandaVision” breaks new ground for the Marvel Cinematic Universe

March 10, 2021
Sophomore forward Robbie Beran backs down a Nebraska defender. Beran scored 11 points in the Cats’ win, their third consecutive victory.

Rapid Recap: Northwestern 79, Nebraska 78

March 7, 2021
Sophomore guard Boo Buie drives against Rutgers. Buie led the Cats with 15 points and added a layup in the clutch as NU knocked off Maryland.

Men’s Basketball: Young’s dominant finish lifts Northwestern to upset of Maryland

March 4, 2021
A Northwestern swimmer does freestyle. The Wildcats finished fourth at the Big Ten Championships.

Swim and Dive: Northwestern places fourth at Big Ten Championships

February 28, 2021
Sophomore guard Boo Buie releases a shot against Ohio State on Dec. 26. Buie scored 25 points in Northwestern 67-59 win over Minnesota.

Rapid Recap: Northwestern 67, Minnesota 59

February 25, 2021
Men’s player squats on baseball diamond.

Baseball: Northwestern releases 44-game schedule 11 days ahead of first game

February 23, 2021
Junior forward Pete Nance goes up for a block attempt against Illinois on Jan. 7. Nance scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, but the Cats’ upset bid came up short.

Men’s Basketball: Dosunmu’s late threes doom Cats’ comeback bid against Illinois

February 17, 2021
Chase Audige elevates for a dunk attempt in the Cats’ loss to Rutgers on Jan. 31. NU was unable to avenge their earlier loss in a 64-50 loss to the Scarlet Knights.

Rapid Recap: No. 25 Rutgers 64, Northwestern 50

February 13, 2021
Ryan Young backs his defender down during Northwestern’s loss to Rutgers on Jan. 31. The Cats lost their 10th straight game in a double overtime loss to Indiana.

Men’s Basketball: Cats fall in double OT marathon, suffer 10th straight loss

February 11, 2021
Pete Nance drives inside during Northwestern’s 64-56 loss to Rutgers on Jan. 31. Nance’s emergence has been a bright spot in a turbulent season.

Men’s Basketball: After a rocky start, Pete Nance is living up to the hype. Now he’s a Big Ten problem.

February 10, 2021
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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
John Riker