A year ago at this time, despite being just two games into the season, Northwestern may have been at one of the lowest points in program history.
In June 2006, Randy Walker, who had led the Wildcats for seven years, died suddenly of a heart attack. Walker was one the most successful coaches in Wildcat history, leading the team to a share of the Big Ten title in his second season and becoming the only coach in the school's history to win four or more Big Ten games in three straight years.
About a week later, Pat Fitzgerald was named head coach of the Wildcats. At just 31, he was-and still is-the youngest Division I-A head coach in the country. But after starting just 2-7 in 2006, Fitzgerald has gone 4-1 since, including victories in his first two games this year.
The most recent triumph, a 36-31 nail-biter over Nevada, featured a game-winning drive of 80 yards with just 72 seconds left. It was a wild day for the Wildcats, as they gave up 141 yards rushing to Wolfpack running back Luke Lippincott-who had minus-five rushing yards on four carries the week before-and allowed a 48-yard Hail-Mary touchdown pass as the first half ended.
Still, the fact that Northwestern found a way to win demonstrates tremendous growth for the team, Fitzgerald said.
"It's great to be here 2-0 and to win a football game the way we did on Saturday," he said. "I'm very excited about the direction we're headed here into a very important week for us to improve on what we're doing and get one week better in our preparation. I thought last week we learned a valuable lesson as a football team to go into a game week with the sense of urgency to play a new opponent."
Their 2-0 start heading into a matchup with Duke at home is even more significant because the Wildcats have not opened a season with three consecutive wins since 1962.
Unfortunately for Fitzgerald, he may have to go up against the Blue Devils without star running back Tyrell Sutton, who is questionable for Saturday's game with an ankle injury.
Losing Sutton would be a huge blow for the Wildcats. Although a mere 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Sutton has rushed for at least 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in each of his previous two seasons and was a preseason candidate for the Maxwell College Player of the Year Award.
"I think he's feeling better than he did Saturday," Fitzgerald said. "We'll work through rehab and take it one day at a time and get ready for a game-time decision."
Even if Sutton cannot go, the Wildcats still have a quality backup in senior Brandon Roberson, who has rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown off 24 carries this season. Quarterback C.J. Bacher has also performed well, running out of the spread offense for 81 yards and one touchdown off 14 rushes.
Last week against Nevada, Bacher threw for 227 yards with three touchdowns, but his completion percentage was relatively low. The junior went 20-of-45 on the afternoon.
While there is always room for improvement, so far the offense has matured well and made the necessary plays to win, Fitzgerald said.
"Our discipline's been good," he said. "I'd like to see us have a little more disciplined execution along with our disciplined football. Those two combined will be a great asset to us as we move forward in our football season."
And Saturday, with a win, the Wildcats have a chance to move forward in a way they have been unable to for 45 years.
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