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Here’s what Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald had to say at his Monday press conference
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After a taxing 2019 season, Pat Fitzgerald’s Northwestern squad has rebounded and then some in 2020.
The Wildcats are off to a perfect 4-0 start. They appear to be the biggest obstacle to Wisconsin winning the Big Ten West outside of the pandemic. That theory will be put to the test on Saturday as Northwestern travels to Madison.
In the midst of the Wildcats preparing for their biggest game of the season thus far, Fitzgerald held his regularly scheduled Monday press conference.
Before getting into the matchup with the Badgers, Fitzgerald awarded his players of the week.
Fitz opening statement: Players of the Week are RCB (3 TDs and blocked well on perimeter), Greg Newsome and Charlie Kuhbander. Big playmakers are Ramsey on O, and Earnest Brown and Eku Leota on D.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Through four games, Northwestern’s defense has been the talk, especially during the second half of games. Up until Week 4 against Purdue, the Wildcats hadn’t allowed a point in the second half.
Fitz says the competitive depth they have on defense is as good as it's been since he's been here.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Fitz: "I've been in this league for 25 years. We've always had good defenses in this league. It's just kinda the Midwestern way. There's really good defensive talent."
Fitz does NOT like 7 v 7 youth football since they don't play physical.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
That defense will be tested on Saturday as Northwestern faces a Wisconsin team that is multi-dimensional.
Fitz says Wisconsin plays a physical, unselfish and complementary style of football.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Offensively, the Wildcats have done enough. But it appears that Fitzgerald is looking for more.
"We've just got to put together a complete game as an offense, which we've yet to do."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Fitz on running the ball: "It's gonna be really tough sledding," says their inside and outside linebackers are fast.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Here’s what else Fitzgerald had to say.
Fitz on Hank: "I think Hank is as good of a coach as there is in the country, regardless of position."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Fitz: "The record is what it is, but we've got to be more consistent in all three phases."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Fitz on Ramsey: "You can't put a price tag on experience. Young quarterbacks might let one bad play fester in their minds…we all saw that last year with our young, inexperienced quarterbacks…I think the guys have complete and total confidence in Peyton."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Fitz on the UW offense: "We've got our hands full…to their players' credit, in both games they executed almost to perfection. It was really fun football to watch. They're Wisconsin, they're gonna have good balance and they're gonna punish you up front."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Fitz's takeaways thus far through the season:
– Haven't been consistent in the three phases
– They've found multiple ways to win which is the hallmark of a good football team
– They're battle tested in close games— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020
Fitz says Kuhbander is kicking the best he has in his entire career and they have good confidence in his range. Says he's hit from 50+ in practice.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) November 16, 2020