Nov. 17, 2008

NU Football Game Notes (vs. Illinois)

Press Conference Video
Full Press Conference Archive
Fitzgerald opening statement
Fitzgerald on his Senior Class
Fitzgerald on playing for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
Fitzgerald on the play of Corey Wootton
Fitzgerald on Illinois quarterback Juice Williams
Fitzgerald on Illinois linebacker Brit Miller

For Openers
• Northwestern closes out the 2008 regular season this Saturday, Nov. 22, playing host to instate rival Illinois. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national cable audience. Plenty of good tickets are stil available for this game (847-491-CATS or NUsports.com).

• The Wildcats, who defeated Michigan last week, have won eight season games for the fourth time since 1995. Only four teams have won nine or more games in NU history (with 1995 and 1996 being two of the four). With its victory over the Wolverines, NU also has assured itself of a .500 or better record in Big Ten play for the fourth time in the last six years.

• Northwestern finished the season with a 4-1 road record (3-1 in Big Ten road games). The last time the Wildcats had that much success on the road was 1995, when NU went 5-0 away from home.

• Northwestern and Illinois are battling for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy. Since the trophy was introduced to the rivalry in 1945, Illinois holds a slim lead in the series, 32-27-2.

• Besides the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy, postseason bowl bids are on the line for both teams. Illinois needs a win to become bowl-eligible and give itself an opportunity for a second straight bowl game. Northwestern, which already has secured its first bowl trip since 2005, is trying to improve its bowl resume. The Wildcats' best bowl possibilities include the Outback Bowl (Jan. 1), Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29) or Champs Sports Bowl (Dec. 27). The Insight Bowl (Dec. 31) is also in the mix.

• For the fourth time this season, NU is back in the coaches' top-25 ranking at No. 24.

• Northwestern's defense will get one of its stiffest season tests as the Big Ten's number-one offense visits Ryan Field this week. Led by quarterback Juice Williams, the Big Ten leader in total offense (326.0 ypg), Illinois is averaging 448.3 yards of total offense per game. The Illini also have the league's top pass offense (274.5 ypg).

• NU's players of the game against Michigan were: Corey Wootton (defense), Jordan Mabin (defensive big play), Ross Lane (offense), C.J. Bachér (offensive big play) and Eric Peterman (special teams).

Senior Day
• NU is honoring 23 seniors on Saturday. They are: LB Malcolm Arrington, QB C.J. Bachér, OL Joel Belding, LS Phil Brunner, RB Omar Conteh, H Kyle Daley, OL Ramon Diaz, LB Mike Dinard, S Todd Dockery, DT John Gill, OL Tanner Highlen, DE Rejaie Johnson, OG Keegan Kennedy, LB Prince Kwateng, WR Ross Lane, DE Kevin Mims, CB David Oredugba, WR Eric Peterman, OL Alex Rucks, RB Tyrell Sutton, PK Amado Villarreal, WR Rasheed Ward and WR Jeff Yarbrough. Some of their class (2004-08) highlights include:

• Posted a .500 or better record in four of their five seasons (6-6 in 2004, 7-5 in 2005, 6-6 in 2007, 8-3 thus far in 2008)
• Been a part of three bowl-eligible teams (2005, '07, '08)
• Defeated every Big Ten team at least once
• Totaled 31 wins in their career thus far, most by any five-year class since the early 1900s
• Defeated five nationally ranked teams (Ohio State in 2004, Purdue in '04, Wisconsin in '05, Michigan State in '05, Minnesota in '08)

The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) will carry the game live with its pregame show starting at 10:30 a.m. The radio broadcast can also be heard live via the internet at wgnradio.com. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Ted Albrecht (analyst) call the action. WNUR (89.3), NU's student radio station, also will carry the game live. The contest is also available on the XM Satellite Radio network. (Channel 196).

Television -- The Big Ten Network is televising the game to a national cable audience. Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst) and Charissa Thompson call the action.

(For a complete set of game notes, download the PDF link above.)