Pat Fitzgerald is among the new-school coaches who obsess over a “1-0 each week” philosophy: Don’t look forward, don’t peer back.
But even he paused to reflect Saturday after guiding Northwestern to a stunning 17-10 victory over previously unbeaten Iowa, the Wildcats’ first victory over a top-10 team since they beat Ohio State in 2004.
“We’re very proud,” he said, “but this isn’t the destination. This is a great program win to get ourselves bowl eligible for the third year in a row, and it’s critically important to show the direction to all those recruits throughout the country that, absolutely, Northwestern’s for real.
“You better get on the boat right now because the ship’s leaving the shore.”
Fitzgerald could puff out his chest after a victory that was anything but ordinary.
The eighth-ranked Hawkeyes (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) had won 13 straight games — second nationally to Florida’s 19-game streak among major-college teams — and waltzed into Kinnick Stadium fourth in the BCS standings.
Yet Fitzgerald was bold enough to play weatherman this week, telling his players that the warm, sunny conditions would play into their wheelhouse.
“I sold it hard to our guys,” he said. “This is why we practice at the tempo we practice at — every single day.”
Added linebacker Quentin Davie: “In practice we run, run, run. So we’re always ready for these types of games.”
Something else happened in practice this week: Defensive end Corey Wootton participated all three days, finally free of soreness from knee surgery and a high ankle sprain. More than once, teammates noticed his burst and hollered: “Corey’s back! Corey’s back!”
Wootton made a play early in the second quarter that changed the game and NU’s season.
Iowa led 10-0 and had second-and-10 from its 6-yard line. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi turned around after a play-action fake, and the 280-pound Wootton slammed him and stripped the ball. Senior tackle Marshall Thomas fell on it for his first touchdown at any level.
Not only did Northwestern cut into the Hawkeyes’ lead, but Stanzi was knocked out of the game with a right ankle injury that could sideline him until Iowa’s bowl.
Untested James Vandenberg replaced him and completed 9 of 27 passes for 82 yards and an interception. When his final attempt fell incomplete with 1 minute, 16 seconds to play, Iowa’s national title hopes were dashed.
“I expected something magical to happen,” Iowa receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos said. “That’s the way it has been all year. When the ball hit the turf, I haven’t felt that way in a long time. It hurts.”
For Northwestern, the feeling was jubilation. The Wildcats (6-4, 3-3) are suddenly a candidate for three attractive bowls — the Champs Sports (Orlando, Fla.), Alamo (San Antonio) and Insight (Tempe, Ariz.) — especially if the conference can land two teams in BCS games.
NU’s more immediate concern is at quarterback. Mike Kafka’s hamstring injury robbed him of mobility, and Dan Persa left with a hand injury that will require a second round of X-rays.
Kafka spoke of “tag-team action” on future Saturdays, but Fitzgerald was more guarded in his projection.
“I just want to win, man,” he said with a laugh. “We’ll do whatever we can.”
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Wildcats 2-minute drill
Getting offensive: Northwestern gained a season-low 239 yards, and it didn’t matter. Dan Persa rushed for 67 and threw a touchdown pass, and Mike Kafka completed just enough passes (10 of 18) despite laboring with a hamstring injury.
On the defensive: The Wildcats gave up a 74-yard touchdown pass on Iowa’s third play from scrimmage, then allowed just 3.4 yards per snap and forced four turnovers.
The number: 99. The jersey number of Corey Wootton, who turned the game around with his sack and forced fumble on Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi.
The bad news: Persa injured his hand in the third quarter, perhaps on a giant hit from linebacker Pat Angerer. X-rays taken at Kinnick Stadium were inconclusive, and Persa was to be examined again when the team returned to Evanston.
They’re still talking about: How Northwestern has won three straight in Iowa City.
Looking ahead: Northwestern and Illinois will duke it out at 11 a.m. Saturday in Champaign for the Land of Lincoln Trophy.
— Teddy Greenstein
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tgreenstein@tribune.com
