Portal:Chicago/Selected biography/87

Michael John "Mike" Kafka is an American football quarterback who played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats. Kafka attended St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, Illinois where he played both football and baseball. Kafka lead St. Rita Cascia to three conference championships. He ended his high school football career with 1,816 total yards and 16 touchdowns. After his senior season, he moved onto Northwestern University where he redshirted in 2005. In his first collegiate appearance, Kafka threw a 19 yard touchdown pass against Miami. Against Bowling Green, Kafka suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out until the Ohio State game. In 2007, Kafka was the backup to C. J. Bachér and played in only two games. Despite being the backup quarterback again in 2008, Kafka threw for 330 yards and finished second on the team in rushing yards with 321. Following Bachér's graduation after the 2008 season, Kafka became the starter for 2009. Before the season he was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. Against Syracuse he set the school record for most pass completions in a row with 16. In the same game, he became the first Big Ten Conference player to score a passing, receiving and rushing touchdown since Zack Mills from Penn State in 2004. He was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. Kafka received second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2009. In the 2010 Outback Bowl against Auburn, Kafka set the all-time bowl record with 47 completions and 78 passing attempts. He set Northwestern and Outback Bowl records with 532 passing yards and an Outback Bowl record with five interceptions.