Ad Disclosure
What Pat Fitzgerald said as Northwestern looks ahead to Iowa
Published:
After getting blown out by Minnesota, Northwestern now faces an Iowa team coming off a loss to Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes were held to 156 total yards on offense.
Northwestern never really got its footing in the game against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers scored 13 unanswered in the first quarter. The Wildcats made it 13-7 at the start of the second quarter, but that would be the closest they would get.
The Wildcats were then outscored 28-7 to close out a 41-14 loss.
It wasn’t that Northwestern really turned the ball over a lot, the problem was scoring and some risky play calling.
There were a few times where the Wildcats could have taken the points in Golden Gopher territory, but they chose to go for it and turned it over on downs. Combine that with a lackluster offense, and you get a blowout.
The Wildcats stole a win in Iowa City last year, winning 21-20. Northwestern is 4-1 in the last five matchups of the series even though the series heavily favors Iowa, who has a 51-28 record all-time against Northwestern.
Pat Fitzgerald discussed the matchup with Iowa, and what it will take for his team to get back on track.
Here’s what the Northwestern head coach had to say about the Iowa game:
Fitz just said that Iowa’s Tyler Lindenbaum is the, “best center in the country.”
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“It’s not just this year, it’s been throughout his starting career. A guy who is relentless in his work ethic … you have to take care of your body, and he does a fantastic job at that. He does everything he can to be the best he can possibly be.” – Fitz on Chris Bergin.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“With this group [the 2021 team] we just have to get to a level of consistency and execution … our defense had only given up 13 points, then we fumbled the ball. Getting off the field on third down is something we needed to do and couldn’t.” – Fitz on “2019 won’t happen” quote.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“He’s an extension of Kurt Anderson. He understands what we’re trying to get accomplished on each play. He’s just so consistent … he’s relentless in his work ethic.” – Fitz on Sam Gerak.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“They’ve got a brand and style that shows up in all three phases, and they’re consistent year-after-year. It’s what Kirk’s program has always been about, so there’s always been a high level of respect.” – Fitz on his relationship with Kirk Ferentz.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“I think Brandon [Joseph] is just coming into his own. It’s a little different when you have a voice like J.R. Pace next to him as the leader in the back half, and now Brandon’s been thrust into that role. Fundamentally, he’s getting better and better each week.” – Fitz on B Joe.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“You’ve got to be able to run the ball and to stop the run to win the Big Ten West, let alone the Big Ten.” – Fitz
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“They’re different in how they try to do it, but everyone on this side [the West division] wants to establish the run. It opens up explosive plays down the field, and no one’s been better at it the last 20 years than the Hawkeyes.” – Fitz
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
“They close the middle with their pressures and disguise their coverages … when you pop up on the tape and hit pause, they have great spacing and communication. They play smart defense and they’ve got great eyes.” – Fitz on the Iowa secondary and the challenge they pose.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
Fitz said that the Northwestern secondary made some critical errors that cost them against Minnesota, but emphasized that they played well overall last Saturday and that they’re “very close” to being where they want to be with that unit.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 1, 2021
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.