2002 Joliet Wolves football team

The 2002 Joliet Wolves football team was an American football team that represented Joliet Junior College as a member of the North Central Community College Conference (N4C) during the 2002 junior college football season. In their third year under head coach Bob MacDougall, the Wolves compiled an 11–0 record (8–0 in conference games), won the N4C championship, and defeated Georgia Military College in the Golden Isles Bowl for the NJCAA National Football Championship. The team extended its winning streak to 21 games, which at the time was the longest in the nation.[1]

2002 Joliet Wolves football
Golden Isles Bowl, W 24-14 vs. Georgia Military College
ConferenceNorth Central Community College Conference
Record11–0 (8–0 N4C)
Head coach
Seasons
← 2001
2003 →

The team's statistical leaders included DuJuan Johnson with 798 rushing yards, Jim Peyton with 2,251 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns, and ·Kelvin Hayden with 1,297 receiving yards.[2] Linebacker Rob Ninkovich later played 11 seasons in the National Football League.[3] Defensive end John Chrestman set a school record with 15 sacks for Joliet during the 2002 season.[4]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultSource
August 31at HarperPalatine, ILW 30–7
September 7Rock ValleyJoliet, ILW 38–8
September 14DuPageJoliet, ILW 34–0
September 22at Illinois Wesleyan JV*Bloomington, ILW 45–14
September 28Grand RapidsJoliet, ILW 44–12
October 5at Rock ValleyRockford, ILW 58–7
October 12at DuPageGlen Ellyn, ILW 37–14
October 18Air Force JV*Joliet, ILW 35–6
October 26at Grand RapidsGrand Rapids, MIW 24–14
November 2HarperJoliet, ILW 29–15
December 7vs. Georgia Military College*
W 24–14[5]
  • *Non-conference game

[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Joliet Junior College takes Bowl Classic crown". The Star. December 12, 2002. p. C5 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Joliet Junior College 2002-03 Leaders". National Junior College Athletic Association. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Rob Ninkovich". Southland Star. November 23, 2009. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Redbirds". The Pantagraph. February 6, 2003. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Bud L. Ellis (December 8, 2002). "Joliet Junior College 24, Georgia Military 14: Early lead doesn't hold". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E12 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Joliet Junior College 2002-03 Schedule". National Junior College Athletic Association. Retrieved April 13, 2024.