Fitzgerald takes his share of blame for Wildcats' defeat
Accountability was the overriding theme for Northwestern less than 48 hours after the Duke disaster.
Pat Fitzgerald went first, claiming responsibility for arguably the most egregious error of his young coaching career -- taking 3 points off the scoreboard to attempt a fourth-and-3 late in the first half Saturday. Northwestern lost 20-14 to Duke and could have used the field goal as it frantically tried to reach the end zone in the fourth quarter.
"If I were to have to do it all over again, I would have kept the points," Fitzgerald said Monday. "That's on me. I take full responsibility for that. I really felt like we needed a momentum boost there. They were having some success (on offense) against us.
"On top of that, I need to do a great job making sure we come out of the gates ready to play. For back to back weeks, we haven't done that."
Northwestern has been outscored 44-17 in the first half of the last two games, only to rally after halftime. The Wildcats have allowed only 7 second-half points all season.
Linebacker Adam Kadela expects the defense to alter its preparation for Saturday's Big Ten opener at No. 8 Ohio State (2:30 p.m., Channel 7) .
"We've got to do something," Kadela said. "You can't afford to give teams a head start. We need to reevaluate what we're doing pre-game, maybe. I don't have the answer right now.
"I'm not saying in terms of our game plan or how we structure practice. It's on the players, how we get ourselves there mentally and emotionally."
Fitzgerald will schedule team drills earlier in practice this week, hoping to "jump-start" his players. NU will stress third-down play on both sides and the need to finish drives after failing to score on three red-zone trips against Duke.
Sutton lurking: Junior running back Tyrell Sutton likely will return against Ohio State after missing the Duke game with a right ankle injury.
"I feel pretty confident he's going to play," Pat Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald reiterated that Sutton couldn't have played against Duke, saying the team's top offensive weapon was only about 70 percent recovered by Thursday. Reserve Brandon Roberson filled in well with 80 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, but the Wildcats could have used Sutton down the stretch.
"He's definitely a leader on our offense, and sometimes, that's what you need," wide receiver Ross Lane said. "We didn't have him last week, and that could have been a factor."
Inches to go: Northwestern's Big Ten home opener against Michigan on Sept. 29 will kick off at 11 a.m. and be televised by the Big Ten Network. … Because of a Cubs conflict, the WGN radio broadcast of Saturday's game can be heard online at wgnradio.com. … Senior linebacker Eddie Simpson removed the protective walking boot from his injured left leg last Thursday and will be reevaluated this week. "Hopefully, he'll feel good to go," Pat Fitzgerald said. … Northwestern fell from eighth nationally in fewest penalties per game to 70th after being flagged 13 times against Duke.