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Wildcats' Bowl Win Sparks Big Interest In Tickets, Souvenirs

EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) -- Fans are reacting to Northwestern's victory in the Gator Bowl by buying tickets and souvenirs – lots of them.

Northwestern waited 64 years for a bowl victory. The 34-20 win Tuesday in the Gator Bowl over Mississippi State was historic, and Deputy Athletic Director Mike Polisky says ticket sales for next season are, too.

"It's been a tremendous, tremendous 24 hour period of time," he said. "In fact, it's probably the most historical selling period in the history of our football program."

Bowl Win Spikes Interest In Wildcats

Northwestern has been playing intercollegiate football for more than 120 years.

Across the street from Ryan Field, at the Northwestern memorabilia shop known as The Locker, the phone has been ringing off the hook for Gator Bowl champion merchandise, but owner Ross Kooperman said maybe he will have something Friday. For now, fans are snapping up replica Kain Colter #2 and Venric Mark #5 jerseys.

"It would be neat to have one or two items from a bowl game, especially a victory," said Jim Miksis, back in Evanston and visiting The Locker with his wife from their current home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where they're fully aware that they will probably be the only ones wearing purple as the University of Alabama football team prepares for its national championship showdown Monday with Notre Dame.

"You don't see much purple (in Tuscaloosa) unless you're an LSU fan," Miksis said.

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