Could David Braun end up getting the Northwestern job full-time?

The Wildcats' search for a leader is underway, and Braun remains under consideration.

David Braun has been impressive as Northwestern’s interim coach.

CHICAGO — David Braun was emotional, again. His Northwestern team had come close to winning, again.

This time it was a 52-yard Iowa field goal that did the Wildcats in, less than two minutes after Northwestern, against all odds on this day, tied things up with a third-down touchdown pass.

Northwestern lost, 10-7, to an Iowa team that dealt with its own issues this past week, and whose fans flooded Wrigley Field and drank it dry before going home with a happy ending. The Hawkeyes are now in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten West, lending some semblance of clarity to a division that has lacked just that in its final year of existence.

Had Northwestern pulled this one out, the ‘Cats would have been part of a five-way tie for the division lead with three weeks left, an accomplishment worthy of recognition regardless of how things ultimately play out.

Instead, Northwestern is 4-5 and 2-4 in Big Ten play. One week after upsetting a two-touchdown favorite in Maryland, the ‘Cats played the Hawkeyes to a draw for 58 minutes before letting an anemic Iowa offense get just enough on its final drive to set up the game-winning kick.

“In some ways, speechless,” a spent Braun said of the defeat.

Northwestern still has not put together a winning streak since November of 2020, three years ago. The ‘Cats’ four wins this fall, however, are what they totaled across 2021 and ’22 combined. Much like they did at Nebraska two weeks ago, they came damn close on the North Side to adding to that total.

So, the question must be asked: Does Braun have an actual shot at this full-time job?