Wildcats look to prove skeptics wrong again
NU faces its biggest test by far in Big Ten title game
NORTHWESTERN 28, ILLINOIS 10
Northwestern beat rival Illinois 28-10 on Saturday at Ryan Field in a game that had no real meaning for the Wildcats other than the annual Land of Lincoln Trophy awarded to the winner.
So naturally the focus afterward was on what’s next: the Big Ten championship game against No. 4 Ohio State.
Unarguably the top team in the Big Ten and one of the best in the nation, Ohio State only is a participant in the title game because the conference changed its rules Wednesday to accommodate the Buckeyes, allowing a team with five games to qualify instead of the mandatory six.
Otherwise, the cancellation of Saturday’s Michigan-OSU game because of COVID-19 concerns would’ve left the Wildcats with amuch less
daunting task, namely beating Indiana.
“To Ohio State’s credit, they’re undefeated,” Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said after Saturday’s win. “They’ve beaten everybody they’ve been asked to play.
“Regardless of what would have happened today in the Michigan game, like we earned (a spot), they would’ve earned the privilege out of the East to play in the Big Ten championship game. I fully support the decision.”
Northwestern likely will go into the championship game as a three-touchdown underdog while trying to avoid a repeat of the 2018 title game that resulted in a 45-24 Buckeyes rout. Ohio State needs to prove its worthy a College Football Playoff berth, so a blowout is in its best interest.
Fitzgerald said hewould have ranked Ohio State No. 2 if he had a vote and lauded every phase of the Buckeyes’ game, including the punting.
“I’m sure we’re going to be underdogs by like 70,” he said. “We’ll try to put together a good week and get ourselves prepared, represent the Big Ten West now, again. Any questions for me aboutmy team?” No thanks. We’re good.
Playing the “respect” card has been Fitzgerald’s mantra all season, whether it’s alleged disrespect by the media, opposing players or ESPN analyst Joey Galloway.
One year after a 3-9 season, his team went 6-1 in its abbreviated schedule to win the West Division, setting up the showdown in Indianapolis almost no one believes the Wildcats can win.
But Northwestern has proved everyone wrong in 2020, so dealing with naysayers is something to which the Wildcats have grown accustomed. Once again Fitzgerald and his players were upset by a remark that turned into bulletin-board material, this time from Illini linebacker Milo Eifler, who called Northwestern an “awful school,” said the color purple is “disgusting” and added itwas good to play a team in state so “we can beat up on our little brothers.”
At least he didn’t say anything bad about the ribs at Hecky’s Barbecue.
“I made sure that (remark) was conveyed to the guys, very crystal clear, the level of disrespect,” Fitzgerald said. “That is what it is. The (Land of Lincoln) hat stays in Evanston.”
It probably should be noted that the Illini were 2-4 coming in and hadn’t had a winning season since 2011.
“We take it personal,” Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher said.“We look at it as a sign of disrespect. We’re not going to let anyone disrespect us. We basically said if they want to call us the little brothers, we’ll go out there and showthem.”
While the Wildcats were “showing” the Illini, Ohio State scheduled a light practice Saturday and reportedly planned towatch the Northwestern-Illinois game at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. If the Wildcats had hoped to get the Buckeyes overconfident before the game in Indy, they likely succeeded during an uninspiring first half.
A Northwestern team that harbored dreams of an unbeaten regular season only twoweeks ago— until blowing the game at Michigan State that Fitzgerald referred to as a “stubbed toe”— got off to another inauspicious start against the beleaguered Illini.
Metaphorically, Illinois is the equivalent of a piece of gum on the bottom of Northwestern’s shoes. Eventually you knew the gum would be scraped off, but watching the process play out was difficult.
On Illinois’ opening drive, Northwestern defenders had a chance at an interception of Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters’ pass, all on the same play. On the Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage, sophomore running back Drake Anderson fumbled inside their own 10 before Illini kicker James McCourt muffed a 32-yard field-goal attempt.
But fortunately for Northwestern, the Illini continued to self-destruct thereafter, a recurring theme in the Lovie Smith era. And once they got the offense going, the Wildcats didn’t stop.
Northwestern wound up with 493 total yards, including 411 on the ground, thanks mostly to freshmen Evan Hull and Cam Porter. Northwestern came in averaging 130 rushing yards per game, ranked 10th in the conference.
Porter had eight carries and 32 yards all season but ed gain 142 yards on 24 attempts Saturday, while Hull finished with 149 yards on 13 carries after entering the game with only 50 yards on 10 attempts.
The time for patience with his other backs apparently is over for Fitzgerald.
“They all want to carry the ball and they all want to play, and I get it. I understand it,” he said. “But it’s a production business, and two guys obviously, Evan and Cam, played outstanding football today.”
The Illini, meanwhile, were a complete mess. A couple of late hits, including a targeting penalty on Derrick Smith that got the Illini safety ejected, showed what an undisciplined team is capable of under a coach with nothing to lose.
After punter Blake Hayes rambled 20 yards on a fake punt in the second quarter with the Illini trailing only 7-3, another drive stalled. Smith inexplicably called for a 53-yard field-goal attempt McCourt had no chance of making on a rainy, windy day.
That basically was the end for the Illini, who have suffered through five straight losing seasons since Smith took over the program in 2016. He’s also winless in the rivalry game played for Lincoln’s hat, which made the trash-talking by his senior linebacker even more inexcusable.
“If anybody would like to say anything derogatory to our players, please say so repeatedly thisweek,” Fitzgerald said. “I’d really appreciate the motivation.”
Facing the Buckeyes, he’ll need all the help he can get.