PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Northwestern interim coach David Braun on Sunday had the usual disappointment, frustration and self-critiquing that stems from a largely noncompetitive loss to open a season.
But Braun felt something else after a turbulent summer that forever changed the program, the university and his own life: a sense of relief.
Northwestern fell 24-7 to Rutgers at SHI Stadium, avoiding its first shutout since 2019 by scoring a touchdown with 19 seconds to play. It was the Wildcats' 12th loss in a row.
It also was the program's first game without longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired July 10 amid hazing allegations.