Cats name captains

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Following a team vote on Thursday, Northwestern Football today announced the four individuals who will serve as captains for the Wildcats during the upcoming 2012 campaign. The group consists of three seniors -- offensive lineman Brian Mulroe (Glenview, Ill./Loyola Academy), defensive lineman Brian Arnfelt (Lake Elmo, Minn./Stillwater) and linebacker David Nwabuisi (Houston, Texas/Episcopal) -- as well as junior quarterback Kain Colter (Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek).

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald announced the quartet to a strong showing of Wildcats fans at Meet the Team Night Friday evening at Ryan Field. All four are first-time captains for NU.

"Very similar to everything we do, I think it's important for the players to have their voice heard," Fitzgerald said. "The guys that they respect and believe in should be captains. We believe in doing it after camp, after we've gone through all the preparation phases we can go through. By now the guys know exactly the most respected and trusted individuals on the team that will be given the honor and responsibility of being team captain."

Northwestern opens the season Saturday, Sept. 1 at Syracuse (11 a.m. CT) before making its Ryan Field debut in primetime vs. Vanderbilt on Sept. 8. Season and group tickets for all seven Northwestern home games are available by calling 888-GO-PURPLE or by accessing NU's online ticketing center.