Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503568
8 8 A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M One of the more durable coaching regimes in recent college football history im- ploded with breathtaking speed when Northwestern fired Pat Fitzgerald on July 10. Fitzgerald had been in charge of the Wildcats football program for 17 seasons and had won 110 games. His coaching tenure was going to be tied for the fourth-longest in the FBS in 2023, but he was sus- pended on July 7 following an investigation of alleged hazing within the program. A subsequent story in the school's student newspa- per added more specific- ity to the allegations and prompted the Northwest- ern administration to dis- miss Fitzgerald just two days later. Where the program goes from here is anyone's guess. The day after Fitzgerald's ouster, the Wildcats appeared set to name defensive coordinator David Braun their interim head coach. It's going to be a tough job no matter what, because in addition to the leadership vacuum that Fitzgerald left behind, the team has been trying to break out of a boom-or-bust cycle in which it has been trapped the past few years. Northwestern has reached the Big Ten Championship Game twice since 2018, but it has also finished 1-8 in conference play three times during that same span, including last year. Quarterback development has been at the root of Northwestern's competi- tive difficulties. Last year, Ryan Hilinski completed 55.8 percent of his attempts for 1,644 yards, with just 6 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. He's return- ing this fall for his junior season but is expected to back up sophomore Brendan Sullivan. Last season, Sullivan showed dual- threat potential after taking over the position following an injury to Hilinski in Week 6 against Wisconsin. He ended up starting four games and completed 74 percent of his attempts (71 of 96) for 589 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 3 in- terceptions. Sullivan also added 97 yards and a touchdown on the ground. One priority on offense will be to cut down on turnovers. Five quarterbacks saw action for Northwestern last sea- son, and each of them threw at least 1 interception. Cole Freeman threw 5 picks in 45 passing attempts. As a team, the Wildcats tied for the league lead with 17 interceptions while managing only 10 touchdown passes. Those numbers go a long way toward explaining how they won only one game. If they can rein in the turnovers this year, the offense will have a chance to be better. Cam Porter, Anthony Tyus III and Joseph Himon II comprise a solid backfield, and the receiving corps should benefit from the addition of Arizona State transfer Cam Johnson. The defense is under new manage- ment, with Braun having arrived from North Dakota State to coordinate a unit that surrendered 191.3 rushing yards per game, worst in the league a year ago. — Matt Herb S E P T . 3 0 | T I M E T B A | T V T B A | R Y A N F I E L D | E V A N S T O N , I L L . Junior quarterback Ryan Hilinski passed for 1,654 yards last year before an injury in Week 6 against Wisconsin knocked him out for the season. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE GAME 5 NORTHWESTERN WHAT COULD GO RIGHT Brendan Sullivan could take another step forward at quarterback, giving the Wildcats more balance on offense than they've had in recent years. WHAT COULD GO WRONG It's impossible to know what the morale is like within the program right now, but it's not hard to imagine this team struggling to regroup after such a swift and unexpected change in leadership. QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Penn State leads 15-5 Last Meeting: Despite turning the ball over 5 times on a rainy afternoon in Beaver Stadium, Penn State held off Northwestern 17-7 on Oct. 1, 2022 Head Coach: David Braun (interim) 2022 Record: 1-11, 1-8 Big Ten Returning Starters: 8 (2 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist) RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: RB Cam Porter (286 yards, 2 TD) Passing: QB Ryan Hilinski (1,644 yards, 6 TD) Receiving: WR Bryce Kirtz (212 yards, 0 TD) Tackles: LB Bryce Gallagher (100) Sacks: LB Xander Mueller (2.5) Interceptions: LB Xander Mueller (2) 2023 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2022 Result Sept. 2 at Rutgers — Sept. 9 Texas El Paso — Sept. 16 at Duke L, 31-23 Sept. 23 Minnesota L, 31-3 Sept. 30 Penn State L, 17-7 Oct. 7 Howard — Oct. 21 at Nebraska W, 31-28 Oct. 28 Maryland L, 31-24 Nov. 4 Iowa L, 33-13 Nov. 11 at Wisconsin L, 42-7 Nov. 18 Purdue L, 17-9 Nov. 25 at Illinois L, 41-3