Wildcats claw their way back into the polls

Northwestern climbs back into polls

Screen_Shot_2015_11_08_at_3.37.44_PM.jpg — Northwestern Wildcats cornerback Keith Watkins II (3), left, celebrates with linebacker Anthony Walker (18), linebacker Nate Hall (32) and linebacker Josh Roberts (49) after he recovered a fumble at the end of the second half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Following a last-second win over Penn State on Saturday, Northwestern climbed back into both the AP and Coaches Polls.

The Wildcats are ranked No. 24 in both polls after being unranked in last week’s editions.

Northwestern kicker Jack Mitchell drilled a 35-yard field goal with seconds remaining to lift the Wildcats to the win.

Jack Mitchell drilled a go-ahead 35-yard field goal with nine seconds left in the game to give the #B1GCats a win. https://t.co/FzjtsDm8Hq — #B1GCats Football (@NUFBFamily) November 8, 2015

Mitchell had previously missed an extra point as well as two field-goal attempts (39, 47) earlier in the game.

Clemson took the top spot in the AP rankings for the first time this season, knocking unbeaten Ohio State from its perch. The Buckeyes remained No. 1 in the Coaches Poll.

Undefeated Iowa rose to No. 8 in the AP, followed by Michigan State (14), Michigan (15) and Wisconsin (23).

Northwestern, No. 21 in the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, will take on Purdue on Saturday.

Despite the rise, the Wildcats still have less than a one-percent chance to win the Big Ten or make the College Football Playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.

[FBTW]

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