Following a five-game win streak, which included an FBS record three consecutive overtime victories, the Wildcats sit 23rd in the College Football Playoff rankings, and are far from that proverbial corner.
While he likely did not expect five overtime periods over the course of three games, Fitzgerald is not surprised by his team's resilience.
"Sometimes, you'll go through it, and embrace it, and you won't get the results," Fitzgerald said. "That happens too. ... I don't think (giving up) is in our guys' DNA. I just don't. At least in my 18 years that I've been here, I haven't seen a guy give up ever. I just don't think that's a Northwestern man."...
The Gophers are coming off arguably their best game under first-year coach P.J. Fleck with a 54-21 victory over Nebraska. The 54 points were the most scored by Minnesota against a Big Ten opponent since 2006.
"It was the execution," Fleck said.
"It looked like we were more experienced than we really are. It looked like we've been doing it for a long time. That's what was different about last week. That was the first time all year we played a complete game. That's what it's supposed to look like....
Fitzgerald discussed the challenges in facing multiple ball carriers in a spread offense.
"Number one, you've got to fit gaps right," Fitzgerald said.
"You've got to be sound with what you're doing and have coordination between the front and the back end. You're going to have a lot of one-on-ones, so you're going to have to tackle well, and then they do a really good job with their run-pass option if your back seven gets involved."
Minnesota quarterback Demry Croft helped the Gophers rack up 514 yards of offense, including 409 yards rushing, last week against the Cornhuskers.
Croft, after an up-and-down season in which he was suspended, was named the Big Ten co-Offensive Player of the Week. He is playing with more confidence, Fleck said.
"You can see the difference in his demeanor," Fleck said. "You see the difference in his pocket presence."...
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/no-23-northwesterns-win-streak-on-line-vs-minnesota/
While he likely did not expect five overtime periods over the course of three games, Fitzgerald is not surprised by his team's resilience.
"Sometimes, you'll go through it, and embrace it, and you won't get the results," Fitzgerald said. "That happens too. ... I don't think (giving up) is in our guys' DNA. I just don't. At least in my 18 years that I've been here, I haven't seen a guy give up ever. I just don't think that's a Northwestern man."...
The Gophers are coming off arguably their best game under first-year coach P.J. Fleck with a 54-21 victory over Nebraska. The 54 points were the most scored by Minnesota against a Big Ten opponent since 2006.
"It was the execution," Fleck said.
"It looked like we were more experienced than we really are. It looked like we've been doing it for a long time. That's what was different about last week. That was the first time all year we played a complete game. That's what it's supposed to look like....
Fitzgerald discussed the challenges in facing multiple ball carriers in a spread offense.
"Number one, you've got to fit gaps right," Fitzgerald said.
"You've got to be sound with what you're doing and have coordination between the front and the back end. You're going to have a lot of one-on-ones, so you're going to have to tackle well, and then they do a really good job with their run-pass option if your back seven gets involved."
Minnesota quarterback Demry Croft helped the Gophers rack up 514 yards of offense, including 409 yards rushing, last week against the Cornhuskers.
Croft, after an up-and-down season in which he was suspended, was named the Big Ten co-Offensive Player of the Week. He is playing with more confidence, Fleck said.
"You can see the difference in his demeanor," Fleck said. "You see the difference in his pocket presence."...
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/no-23-northwesterns-win-streak-on-line-vs-minnesota/
