The Wildcats are putting up impressive performances, on and off the field

After coming off a 2019 season that saw the team post a disappointing 3-9 record, Northwestern has blown away expectations with a 4-0 start to 2020. That includes a win over previously unbeaten Purdue in Week 4.

Having already surpassed last season’s win total, the Wildcats need just one more win to guarantee a regular-season finish above .500. A win over Wisconsin would also put Pat Fitzgerald’s team in the driver’s seat for the West division.

Looking beyond just the play on the field, the graduation success rate for Northwestern’s football program was announced on Tuesday. According to the university, Northwestern’s football program posted a 97% graduation success rate for this past year.

That mark is tops in the FBS, a spot the Wildcats have held down for four years running:

That mark truly speaks to the values that Fitzgerald tries to communicate with his teams. He recently discussed “the Wildcat Way” as playing as hard as you can for as long as you can. It looks like that mantra also plays out off the field as well.