Ad Disclosure
Pat Fitzgerald addresses Northwestern’s unthinkable loss to Southern Illinois
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern did the unthinkable Saturday, dropping the Week 3 matchup to FCS program Southern Illinois. To make matters worse, Southern Illinois entered the game with an 0-2 mark on the season.
Needless to say, the loss for the Wildcats is a debacle in the truest sense of the word. After a win over Nebraska in Week 0, thoughts for a strong campaign were circulating through the program.
Unfortunately, the Wildcats have since lost to Duke and SIU – both at home – to fall to 1-2 on the season. The trajectory of Nebraska since Ireland has also clouded the true nature of that win in Dublin.
After Saturday’s loss, Fitzgerald took to the podium and admitted the loss was a disappointing one. He also said his team needs to learn how to perform as the hunted after being the hunter in Ireland.
Fitzgerald also said his team needs to see consistency out of the offense while complimenting SIU’s different offensive looks for rattling the defense. We’ll see if the Wildcats can regroup and prepare for B1G play down the road.
Fitz: "A disappointing outcome to say the least. The guys have got to learn. We were the hunters when we went across the pond, and today they were the hunters."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) September 17, 2022
Fitz says he would've liked to see consistency in his offense, and would've liked to see the team settle down.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) September 17, 2022
Fitz credits the "exotic" formations thrown by SIU that confused the defense.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) September 17, 2022
Fitz: "Knowing that group, as competitive as they are, they will use this to get better."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) September 17, 2022
Fitz: "We can't continue to beat ourselves, and that's what happened today."
Also said it looked like his guys had some "heavy legs" today.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) September 17, 2022
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.