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What Pat Fitzgerald said before Northwestern’s B1G opener vs. Michigan State
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Northwestern is coming off an unexpected first-place finish in the B1G West, and looking to 2021 they appear to be in a similar situation this season in that they are not expected to be at the top of the division as the season starts.
But last season’s loss to Michigan State will be on the minds of the Wildcats as they open the season with the Spartans on Saturday. Outside of their B1G Championship loss to Ohio State, it was the only blemish on Northwestern’s 2020 record.
For the Wildcats, their near 10-month wait since their 2020 season-derailing loss to Michigan State translates to a sufficient amount of time to stew over the loss, and the time for redemption may be at hand.
But there are a lot of new faces on both sides of the field this season. The revenge factor may not have the impact that it would have had had there not been so much roster turnover for both squads, but it does present a challenge for the coaches.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald met with the media Monday morning to discuss the upcoming openers. Among the issues was the preparation for a squad with so many new players, and particularly one that has yet to name a quarterback to prepare for.
Fitz sends his thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by Hurricane Ida in his opening statement.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
"He's more confident, he has a great relationship with Mike Bajakian and a great understanding of what we're trying to do offensively," Fitz says of Hunter Johnson's growth in the last two years.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
"It's been a challenge, there's no doubt about that," Fitz says of preparing for MSU transfers that he doesn't have Big Ten tape on. As for whether he thinks the transfer portal is here to stay: "Yes. I do."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
"You look at the tape, you look at what they did, what we did, and you learn from it," Fitz says when asked about how last year's result against MSU impacts how he talks up this year's matchup with the Spartans to his team.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
When asked if he's had difficulty replacing Slater, Newsome and Earnest Brown, Fitz says that "you can't replace those guys." Notes Skoronski among others as guys he expects to continue stepping up.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
"When you're running that extra 60-yard dash, that extra motivation is there," Fitz says of how opening the season against a Big Ten opponent impacts his team during training camp.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
Addressing the fact that Michigan State is yet to name a starting QB, Fitz is "assuming Mel has already alerted his squad on who the starter is."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
"That's the pageantry of Big Ten football," Fitz says when asked about playing at stadiums full of fans.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) August 30, 2021
More from Fitzgerald:
"You go back, you get the Temple video, you study all that and try to get as prepared as you can. This is my 16th opener and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, no matter what happens in your preparation, you need to get prepared to adjust."
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 30, 2021
Fitzgerald on scouting MSU after roster turnover. “We’ve had to overturn a lot of stones, bud.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 30, 2021
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.