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What Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald said during his weekly press conference Monday
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Northwestern’s 43-3 win over Maryland was not just a strong statement to start the 2020 season.
It was also head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s 100th career win as Wildcat head coach.
With that win came plenty of celebrating. But now Northwestern sets its sights on a road tilt in Iowa City. Fitzgerald, coming off that historic win, held his regularly scheduled press conference on Monday.
Here is what he had to say.
Fitz says he thought they were explosive offensively and made big defensive plays but says they need to play a lot better. Will be a test this week to handle a normal game week. Stresses the need for urgency.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) October 26, 2020
"You pop on the tape and you see fundamentally" Fitz says. Things to improve on on both sides of the trenches, running cleaner routes, starting faster defensively.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) October 26, 2020
Fitz: "I've been to Iowa City, I think the people really like me."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) October 26, 2020
Fitz lauds the prep and the gameday morning nuances and changes from Mike Bajakian. Said everyone on offense handled it really well.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) October 26, 2020
Fitz says Iowa's defense is outstanding fundamentally and very consistent. Says the front seven is normally one of the best in the country but the secondary is also very athletic and impressive.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) October 26, 2020
On team morale compared to last year, he says "every team is different and has a different DNA."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) October 26, 2020
"I like the adjustments made at halftime," Fitz says of the 17-play, 8.5-minute scoring drive to open up the second half. Said he spent more time than normal with the offense during camp as he learns Bajakian's tendencies.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) October 26, 2020
Despite the first game being a 40-point win for Northwestern, it’s clear Fitzgerald sees plenty of room for improvement. He also probably sees a much better Week 2 opponent in Iowa, which fell in a heartbreaking loss to Purdue on the road.