Walking arm in arm with fellow captains to center field before the Northwestern vs. Western Michigan football game on Sept. 3, former LT student and football player Matthew Harris ’13 could not believe what he had accomplished.

“It feels great to be identified as a captain” Harris said. “I’m honored to lead the guys on my team because we have what it takes to be great.”

Harris is one of four captains who were all selected by the team. The others include linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., wide receiver Austin Carr and offensive lineman Connor Mahoney.

“I’m so proud of this special group of young men,” head coach Pat Fitzgerald said in a tweet following their reveal.

All the emotion and excitement of the season hit a lull when Northwestern lost to Western Michigan 22 to 21 on Saturday in an evenly fought battle.

“WMU is a great team that came ready to play,” Harris said. “Defensively we just need to get off the field but we will learn from the film and work towards a better outcome.”

Harris spent his first three years of college football playing cornerback and rarely was on the offensive side of the ball; however, this year he has began returning punts and some kickoffs in order to showcase his speed and offensive abilities.

“Returning punts is something that I did back in high school and it feels great to get the ball back in my hands,” Harris said.

The Wildcats play Illinois State at Ryan Field in Evanston Saturday Sept. 10 with kickoff at 2:30pm.