Think you know Northwestern football?

If you think the story of Northwestern football began with a Rose Bowl run in 1995, you’re missing a wild ride through the sport’s foundational history. In fact, there are many more signature wins, colorful characters and legendary high points than modern fans probably realize.

Drawing on old photos, programs, uniforms, game balls and other memorabilia from University Archives to tell a spirited story of Wildcat football, “Break Right Through That Line: Football at Northwestern,” is on display now through Dec. 18 in Deering Library.

“Football has been an important part of the Northwestern experience for a century and a half, and University Archives has done its part to collect and retain the artifacts of the sport as it has been played at Evanston,” said University Historian Kevin Leonard, who curated the display to coincide with the opening of the new Ryan Field this fall.

Leonard described “Break Right Through That Line” as the most expansive exhibition Northwestern Libraries has undertaken, comprising highlights dating back to the early days of the sport, when “Purple wall of wildcats” — a phrase by Chicago Tribune reporter Wallace Abbey — cemented Northwestern’s mascot choice in 1924.

The exhibition tells the story of “Automatic Otto” Graham, who came to Northwestern in 1940 on a basketball scholarship but became famous for football. He played a starring role for the Wildcats before going on to lead the NFL’s Cleveland Browns in 1946. Another display shows the triumph of the 1948 team that came from behind with a trick play from halfback Ed Tunnicliff to win the Rose Bowl over California.

Also central to the story are Ara Parseghian, legendary head coach of the 1950s and ’60s, and Gary Barnett, who, when introduced as head coach in 1992, declared, “We’re going to take the Purple to Pasadena.” He did just that — leading a hard-nosed bunch of Wildcats to a surprise victory over Notre Dame in 1995 and an appearance against Southern California in the 1996 Rose Bowl.