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Here’s what Pat Fitzgerald said as Northwestern prepares for B1G West matchup vs. Wisconsin
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After the loss to Iowa, Northwestern will now have to win out to become bowl eligible. The winners of the B1G West in 2020 are now facing elimination from bowl season at 3-6.
It won’t get any easier for the Wildcats with their last three games being against No. 21 Wisconsin, Purdue, and Illinois.
The Wildcats are coming off a close one against Iowa that they lost 17-12 after the Hawkeyes made a quarterback change. Alex Padilla came in for Spencer Petras, who injured his shoulder during the Wisconsin game in Week 8. Padilla went 18-28 for 172 yards passing in the win.
It’s unsure whether the Hawkeyes made the change because of how Petras played, or the previous injury.
Wisconsin’s last game was a 52-3 rout of Rutgers to keep its win streak at five games. The Badgers rushed for 305 yards, but may be without running back Chez Mellusi, who is listed as questionable for the game after an apparent leg injury.
The Badgers are 60-37 all-time against the Wildcats. However, Northwestern was able to beat Wisconsin 17-7 in Evanston last season.
Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald discussed what it takes to win a game like this, Paul Chryst’s program, what went wrong in the Iowa game, and other things at the weekly presser.
Here’s what he had to say:
Fitz says that he thinks Evan Hull is having “an All-Big Ten type of season”
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 8, 2021
“There’s explosive athletes across this league. At wide receiver I think there’s some first round talent. I know watching tape, a lot of those DB’s are making good contests, but the receivers just make plays.” – Fitz on the wide receiver talent throughout the conference.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 8, 2021
“He’s explosive. He runs great routes. He’s a tough guy, and he’s been so diligent working hard to get back on the field. I’m just proud of him and I look forward to a great and strong finish from him.” – Fitz on Stephon Robinson
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 8, 2021
“You get into Big Ten West games in November. It’s fundamentals. It’s taking care of the football. That’s a Paul Chryst football program we’re playing. They’re tough, they play complementary football and they’ve got a great homefield advantage.” – Fitz on preparation for Wisco.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 8, 2021
“We got three more weeks to go in season so before I make any statements about how we did, I’ll let the three last chapters of this season be written.” – Fitz, after being asked whether he thinks the offense’s problems this year are the fault of the QB or the player around.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 8, 2021
Fitz stressed how the offense last week had far too many self-inflicted wounds and squandered good scoring opportunities.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 8, 2021
“Paul (Chryst) has been there at Wisconsin as long as I’ve been here at Northwestern if you include his time there as an assistant, so there’s a lot of familiarity and respect.” – Fitz
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 8, 2021
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.