Northwestern bowl eligible months after firing Pat Fitzgerald during hazing scandal

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The Northwestern football program faced uncertainty when Pat Fitzgerald was fired in July in response to accusations of hazing among players.

Four months later, the Wildcats are bowl eligible.

The Wildcats defeated Purdue, 23-15 to become eligible for a bowl for the first time since 2020.

The accomplishment came just days after the school named interim coach David Braun the program's head coach.

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Northwestern wide receiver Cam Johnson, right, celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Bryce Kirtz during the second half of a game against Purdue Nov. 18, 2023, in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern won 23-15.  (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Most sportsbooks had Northwestern's win total at over/under 3½ after it finished 1-11 last season. Saturday's was its sixth win of the season.

"It’s been an incredible week," Braun said after the game. "We accomplished something special today."

Xander Mueller intercepted Ryan Browne's pass at Northwestern's 25-yard line as the Boilermakers were threatening on a potential game-tying drive. The pick came with 21 seconds left, so the Wildcats were able to take a knee to end the game.

The Wildcats seem to have put the Fitzgerald controversy behind them.

Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun is mobbed by fans before a postgame interview after a game against the Purdue Boilermakers Nov. 18, 2023, at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill. (Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Fitzgerald filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university and its president, Michael Schill, last month.

Fitzgerald is seeking more than $130 million for reputational and punitive