Between the Wrigley Field scoreboard listing Big Ten games and the Budweiser video board flashing purple, a section of Northwestern fans jumped and waved as Dominic Zvada lined up for his field-goal attempt toward Sheffield Avenue.

For much of the second half Saturday, in front of a heavily pro-Michigan crowd , Northwestern had given its pockets of fans hopes that a rare upset of the No. 18 Wolverines was in the cards.

Three fumble recoveries. Two interceptions of Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood. A spark of offense with back-to-back touchdowns that sent celebratory purple smoke wafting through the clear blue sky on an early-fall-like day in Wrigleyville.

Photos: No. 18 Michigan 24, Northwestern 22 at Wrigley Field

Zvada’s attempt was only a 31-yarder after Michigan steadily inch

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