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n o r t h w e s t e r n f o o t b a l l • D I G I T A L P R O G R A M • N O R T H W E S T E R N v s . M I C H I G A N S T A T E
student-athlete spotlight
On October 28, 2017, the unranked, 4-3 Northwestern Wildcats
outlasted the 16th-ranked Michigan State Spartans 39-31 in a
triple overtime thriller. Despite the final score, the game was
deadlocked at 10 early in the fourth quarter, suggesting viewers
who tuned in for the final 15 minutes didn't miss much action.
For casual fans, that assumption is correct. The opening kickoff,
by comparison, was a highlight from a mostly pedestrian first
three quarters. Michigan State returner Connor Heyward made
a clean catch a step from the goal line and followed his blockers
for a nice return, juking and accelerating down the right sideline
before being sandwiched and dragged down as he crossed the
40-yard line.
Watch that play more closely. The Northwestern players occupying
the L4 and R4 lanes on the coverage unit assume strikingly similar
stances as kicker Luke Otto strides towards the ball; feet wider than
shoulder-width apart, center of gravity low and hands on thighs with
elbows flared out. Roll the tape, and you might notice the primary
tackler for Northwestern was then-sophomore Joe Bergin, who came
down the R4 lane and used his surprising closing speed to regain his
balance and corral Heyward from behind as Otto helped collapse the
runner.
Watch for an additional five seconds, and you will notice the third
Wildcat on the scene also bears the name Bergin on his nameplate.
That is Joe's younger brother Chris, then a true first-year, who came
flying down the L4 lane before losing his footing but recovering in
time to reenter the play as it ended. Though not their first appearance
together on the football field, the kickoff against Michigan State was
a special moment because of the presence of a third Bergin in the
stands–their father Joseph, a former defensive lineman at Michigan
State and a starter on their 1988 Rose Bowl champion team.
"We lined up against the team our dad played for," said Chris. "It's
something you can't describe to anyone except the people you did
it with."
