Northwestern Wildcats Football coach Pat Fitzgerald meets the media after slowing down #2 Ohio State in a 21-7 loss last Saturday

Pat Fitzgerald (courtesy Northwestern Athletics)

Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern HC 11 5 2022 Postgame Press Conference #2 OSU 21 NW 7.mp3

Game Notes

» Northwestern outgained Ohio State 285-283, including a 79-76 advantage through the air.
» Northwestern converted 9 of 20 third downs while Ohio State was successful on 4 of 15.
» Northwestern didn’t allow a sack in the contest.
» Northwestern won the time of possession battle 36:26 to 23:34.
» Sullivan completed 71.4% of his passes on the day, going 10-for-14.
» Northwestern forced a three-and-out on Ohio State’s opening drive. It marked the Buckeyes’ first opening drive three-and-out this season and the first time they haven’t scored on an opening drive since the season opener against Notre Dame.
» Northwestern scored a touchdown in the first quarter, just the third first quarter touchdown Ohio State has allowed all season.
» NU’s defense forced a turnover on downs in the first quarter, Ohio State’s first unsuccessful fourth down conversion of the year (previously 10-for-10).
» The Wildcat defense did not allow a completion on CJ Stroud’s first five pass attempts, forcing the Ohio State QB to start 0-5 passing.
» Northwestern jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, just the second time Ohio State has trailed by 7+ points this season.
» Northwestern held Ohio State scoreless in the first quarter, the first time the Buckeyes haven’t scored in the first frame since the 2022 Rose Bowl against Utah.
» The Wildcats broke up five passes, their second most this season since defending six against Duke.
» Northwestern forced Ohio State to punt six or more times in a game for the first time since Dec. 28, 2019 against Clemson (six punts).
» The ‘Cats forced 16 incompletions, their most since forcing 17 against Nebraska on August 27, 2022.
» Northwestern outgained Ohio State 206-195 through the first three quarters, the first time the Buckeyes were outgained through three quarters since 2018 against Purdue.
    » Ohio State’s 195 yards through three quarters was its fewest at that mark since the 2016 CFP semifinal against Clemson.
» Northwestern held CJ Stroud to a 38% completion percentage, the lowest of his career and the lowest of any Buckeye Quarterback since Sep. 6, 2014 against Virginia Tech.
» Northwestern’s 17 first downs are the most allowed by Ohio State this season.
» Northwestern’s 200 rushing yards are the most allowed by Ohio State this season.
» Ohio State produced 80 or fewer passing yards (76) for the first time 2015 against Michigan State (46).
» Today marked the first start in CJ Stroud’s career in which he failed to complete a passing touchdown.
» Ohio State did not record a passing touchdown for the first time since the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game vs. Northwestern.

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