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 | |
| Conference | North Central Community College Conference |
| Record | 11–0 (8–0 N4C) |
| Head coach |
|
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
edit| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31 | at Harper | Palatine, IL | W 30–7 | |||
| September 7 | Rock Valley | Joliet, IL | W 38–8 | |||
| September 14 | DuPage | Joliet, IL | W 34–0 | |||
| September 22 | at Illinois Wesleyan JV* | Bloomington, IL | W 45–14 | |||
| September 28 | Grand Rapids | Joliet, IL | W 44–12 | |||
| October 5 | at Rock Valley | Rockford, IL | W 58–7 | |||
| October 12 | at DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | W 37–14 | |||
| October 18 | Air Force JV* | Joliet, IL | W 35–6 | |||
| October 26 | at Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | W 24–14 | |||
| November 2 | Harper | Joliet, IL | W 29–15 | |||
| December 7 | vs. Georgia Military College* |
| W 24–14 | [5] | ||
| ||||||
References
edit- ^ "Joliet Junior College takes Bowl Classic crown". The Star. December 12, 2002. p. C5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Joliet Junior College 2002-03 Leaders". National Junior College Athletic Association. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "Rob Ninkovich". Southland Star. November 23, 2009. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Redbirds". The Pantagraph. February 6, 2003. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Joliet Junior College 2002-03 Schedule". National Junior College Athletic Association. Retrieved April 13, 2024.