By Steve SilverThe Daily Northwestern
Northwestern has been too comfortable in the locker room during halftime this season, and coach Pat Fitzgerald said he has a plan to change that.
The Wildcats have been outscored 34-0 in the third quarter of its past two Big Ten games, and their lethargic second-half play has led to opponents scoring 58 points after halftime this season.
NU has only recorded 35 points in the second half all year, 21 of which came in the season opener against Miami (Ohio).
To correct the Cats’ slow second-half starts, Fitzgerald said Monday that he is going to have the team literally practice halftime situations.
“I’m about solutions, so we are going to practice coming out this week,” Fitzgerald said during his weekly press conference. “We are going to go in the locker room, come out and focus on it.
“Hopefully that will be a Jedi mind trick of getting us to come out and play that way in the second half.”
Fitzgerald’s unorthodox approach to practice began as soon as NU returned from its 41-9 loss at Wisconsin.
The Cats practiced in full pads Sunday night, something they have not done all season. Fitzgerald said he would consider keeping the team in full gear for the entire week to make sure they are ready for Saturday’s encounter with the Big Ten’s best offensive unit in Purdue.
The Boilermakers average 33.5 points per game, while NU averages just 14.8.
“Nobody has fun losing,” Fitzgerald said. “We are going to find a way to win, I promise you that.”
Early Decision
Fitzgerald squelched any semblance of a quarterback controversy Monday, naming redshirt freshman Andrew Brewer the starter for Saturday’s game.
Brewer has started the past two games in place of injured redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Kafka. Despite losing both games, Brewer will retain the starting job as Kafka is still nursing a left hamstring injury.
Brewer has completed 30 of 62 passes for 285 yards and two interceptions. He has not thrown a touchdown pass but has run for two scores. He has rushed for 154 yards on 46 carries.
“I think (Brewer) has done some good things the last two weeks,” Fitzgerald said. “He has some pocket presence. He would like to have some throws back and a couple of decisions back.
“But what I like about him is that when he comes off on the sidelines, he can tell you exactly what we are doing, the concept that we have and more importantly, what the defense is doing to us.”
Unlike past weeks, the Big Ten’s worst offense now will be able to practice knowing who the starter will be come Saturday.
“I think it’s always good to have a quarterback that you know who is starting so he can get most of the reps in practice,” senior receiver Shaun Herbert said.
Suuton OK, Thiry out
Sophomore running back Tyrell Sutton suffered a mild concussion during Saturday’s 41-9 loss to Wisconsin, but he is expected to be playing at full speed this weekend.
Sutton, who has rushed for 405 yards this season, did practice Sunday night.
“It’s a touchy issue,” Fitzgerald said about Sutton’s condition. “You have to be smart.
“But we are going to practice this week, and he is going to practice.”
Junior tackle Dylan Thiry also left Madison injured.
Thiry is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game with an injured sternum. Junior lineman Austin Matthews will make his first start of the season in Thiry’s place.
Inches to go
Sophomore strong safety Brendan Smith, when asked whether the Cats are “one play away” from winning as Fitzgerald has said on numerous occasions: “We are a play or two away – it’s just that we are a play or two away every play.” … Junior defensive end David Ngene is listed as doubtful for Saturday with an ankle injury.
Reach Steve Silver at [email protected].
