Pat Fitzgerald won't announce starting QB for Week 1 until kickoff
Some coaches love to spill the beans.
And others, well, like to keep things as close to the vest as much as possible. Throw Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald in the latter category.
On Monday, the 13th-year coach said he would not announce his starting QB going into the team’s season opener on Thursday:
At Northwestern today, Pat Fitzgerald says we'll know his starting QB at 8:06 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, when the game at Purdue kicks off. Certainly possible Clayton Thorson starts.
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHBulls) August 27, 2018
Newly married QB Clayton Thorson, who is listed as “OR” on the Week 1 depth chart with TJ Green, asks us what Fitz said about determining a starter.
“He said we’ll find out at 8:06 ET Thursday.”
“That’s good enough for me.” pic.twitter.com/VkmvWHXS0P
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) August 27, 2018
Clayton Thorson, if healthy, is presumed to be the Wildcats’ starting QB. However, when the team publicized its two-deep on Monday, Thorson was shown with the same title as T.J. Green, as it reads, “Clayton Thorson or T.J. Green” under First Team QB. Again, the question with Thorson is his health.
In last season’s Music City Bowl, Northwestern faced Kentucky and during the game, Thorson tore his ACL. This of course is what is leaving the senior wondering if he will be ready to start by Thursday.
In 2017, the 6-foot-4, 224-pound gunslinger threw for 2,844 yards, 15 TD and 12 INT. In 2016, he had a better statistical season, amassing 3,182 yards, 22 TD and 9 INT.
Related: Thorson doesn’t have time for preseason rankings
Northwestern will begin its 2018 campaign at 7 p.m. on Thursday against a Big Ten foe in Purdue. The game will be televised on ESPN.
