Pat Fitzgerald frustrated over Northwestern’s close losses
When Pat Fitzgerald first arrived at Northwestern as a freshman linebacker, the Wildcats were overmatched against most every opponent.
Those days are well in the past. Now as a coach, Fitzgerald is struggling with the frustration of being good enough to win games, but not always getting it done.
The latest example was Saturday’s 31-17 loss to Michigan State at Ryan Field. If not for a fumble at the MSU 3-yard line in the second quarter, or allowing a punt return touchdown with 34 seconds left in the first half, the result could have been different.
Fitzgerald spoke loudly and let his emotions flow when he met with reporters after the contest.
“We’ve got a long way to go, as far as a program, to get ourselves to Indianapolis,” he said, referring to the Big Ten title game. “But I don’t think we’re that far away. I don’t think we’re that far away at all.
“That’s probably what’s most disappointing to me right now. How darn close we are and for us not to coach our guys well enough to get over that point is incredibly disappointing for me, for our seniors. We will coach our tails off this next month (leading up to the bowl game).”
Northwestern (6-6, 3-5) is bowl eligible and will find out its postseason fate on Dec. 4. With Michigan beating Ohio State on Saturday, the Big Ten is likely to get a second BCS invitation, which could leave one of the lower-level conference tie-ins, such as the Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit, available for NU.
But the Wildcats left the field with an overwhelming feeling that this season should have been better. The graduating seniors were part of more victories (36) over a five-year stretch than any class in school history.
Yet, this result falls right in line with the inexplicable loss to Army, the 18-point blown lead at Illinois, the game-turning 98-yard interception return at Iowa — one play, one mistake making a big difference.
“I can’t stand it. It drives me crazy,” Fitzgerald said. “It drives me up the wall, not to be on the successful end. I expect to win. I expect to win everything we do. Not to (win) six times this year is disappointing.”
Senior linebacker Bryce McNaul followed Fitzgerald to the interview room and wasn’t surprised by his coach’s demeanor.
“That’s Fitz. I’m sure everyone here knows that’s him every day he wakes up,” McNaul said. “That’s who you get is that passionate coach. It’s the guy Danny (Persa) and I, and all of our senior class, wanted to play for.”
Another tough break for Northwestern was losing its best cornerback, senior Jordan Mabin, late in the first quarter with a right shoulder injury.
Mabin was expected to cover Michigan State’s best receiver, B.J. Cunningham, on most every snap. With Mabin on the sideline, Cunningham piled up 120 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 catches.
Northwestern was within 24-17 in the fourth quarter when Michigan State faced a third-and-17 at the NU 29-yard line. Cunningham opened a couple steps against Wildcats defender Daniel Jones on a post pattern, juggled the ball twice, but finally grabbed it with both hands to complete a backbreaking touchdown pass with 5:17 remaining.
Wildcats quarterback Dan Persa finished his career at Ryan Field by completing 23 of 32 passes for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns. But he was sacked 6 times as NU’s offensive line struggled with Michigan State’s imposing front four.
“We had high expectations coming into the season, but I’m just proud of our guys, the way we fought back and didn’t just cave in (after starting 2-5),” Persa said.
The score was tied 3-3 when Northwestern put together a 15-play drive that came up empty. Treyvon Green coughed up a fumble at the 3-yard line and the Spartans took advantage by driving 97 yards for ago-ahead score.
The real turning point, though, was Keshawn Martin’s 57-yard punt return that made it 17-3 with 34 seconds left before halftime. The Wildcats had allowed just 3 punt return yards all season until that play.
Michigan State (10-2, 7-1) had already clinched a spot in the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin, but avoided sharing the Legends Division title with Michigan by winning on Saturday.
“We wanted to play like big boys today and we came and played,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio said.