Utah Utes' Holiday Bowl opponent 'not your father's Northwestern'

SAN DIEGO — "We're not you father's Northwestern." That's how Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald describes the program that will face Utah in the Holiday Bowl on Monday.

Fitzgerald would know. He was a star linebacker for Northwestern, winning both the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy in 1995 and 1996. A decade later, Fitzgerald became the head coach of his alma mater. That's when things elevated, especially when it comes to bowl appearances. Since 2008, the Wildcats have gone nine times — as compared to just six in team history prior to that.

Despite early struggles, Northwestern has fared better as of late — winning three of its last for bowl games, including two straight.

This season, the Wildcats won the Big Ten West title, earning Fitzgerald conference coach of the year honors. They went 8-1 within the division before losing to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game.

Overall, Northwestern is 95-70 in 13 seasons under Fitzgerald.

"They're physical. They're disciplined. They don't make mistakes and they don't beat themselves," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "That's the mark of a really well-coached football team and that's exactly what they are."

The 22nd-ranked Wildcats, who have only lost to powerhouses Notre Dame and Ohio State since a 1-3 start, have the full attention of the Utes.

Utah tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham noted that Northwestern presents plenty of challenges.

"There's sometimes, honestly, you come down to a bowl and the opponent you are playing doesn't seem to really want to be there and it shows up on the field. You kind of wonder how they prepared," he said. "But with Northwestern, knowing their coaching staff and their players, they're going to come to this game prepared. We've got our hands full. This is a really good team — very disciplined and very physical. Continuing the bowl streak here will mean beating a very good Big Ten team."

Northwestern has a veteran quarterback in senior Clayton Thorson. He's passed for 2,942 yards this season with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Senior Flynn Nagel is the top receiver with 66 catches for 759 yards.

The Wildcats have a dangerous running back in Isaiah Bowser. The freshman stepped in for injured starter Jeremy Larkin after three games and netted 796 yards rushing.

Statistically speaking, Northwestern's offense ranks 58th nationally in passing (239.3 yards) and 117th in rushing (117.5 yards). Pass efficiency offense, total offense and scoring offense rank 104th or worse.

The latter, though, has the Wildcats almost breaking even. They average 23.7 points per game and give up 23.5 points.

Defensively, Northwestern is 32nd against the run (132.6 yards) and 106th versus the pass (258.1 yards). Individual standouts include sophomore linebackers Blake Gallagher (120 tackles) and Paddy Fisher (103 tackles). Junior defensive end Joe Gaziano enters the Holiday Bowl with 11.5 tackles for loss.

*****

SDCCU Holiday Bowl

No. 22 Northwestern (8-5) vs. No. 17 Utah (9-4)

SDCCU Stadium — San Diego

Dec. 31, 5 p.m. (MT)

TV: FS1

Radio: ESPN 700AM

from Deseret News http://bit.ly/2EUuJdZ