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Northwestern Football: Can Pat Fitzgerald turn Wildcats around in 2020?

By Shane Lunnen

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 5: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats waits with the team to enter the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 5: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats waits with the team to enter the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

New offensive coordinator brings breath of fresh air

The Wildcats were bad on offense last season and we are probably overselling it. Look no further than the stats. They averaged less than 300 yards and 16 points per game. Scored 10 points or less in half of their games. It was a miserable offensive output so for a turnaround to happen, the offense must get better fast.

To kickstart changes, Pat Fitzgerald replaced long time offensive coordinator Mick McCall with Mike Bajakian, who spent last season with the same position at Boston College and has NFL experience.

Bajakian has his work cut out for him with an offense that was 126th in scoring and 128th in passing touchdowns with just six scores through the air.

The quarterbacks were not very good and the Wildcats went through four of them. The quarterback room may get a shot in the arm with the transfer of Peyton Ramsey from Indiana. Ramsey threw for over 2,500 yards and 13 touchdowns last season for the Hoosiers but saw his playing time cut down when Michael Penix was on the field. Ramsey could be the starter when the season begins.

Most of the wide receivers are back and the unit could be a lot better this year with better quarterback play. The Wildcats welcome the return of Isaiah Bowser to the backfield. Bowser was hurt a year ago but was the leading rusher on the 2018 Big Ten West championship team.

With running backs Drake Anderson and Evan Hull also in the mix plus an offensive line returning four starters, the rushing attack should be set and help power the Wildcats offense. There really is no where to go but up after last season.

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