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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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Linebackers will be the key to the Wildcat defense

Despite the abysmal performance from the offense, the Wildcat defense was good a year ago, finishing 25th overall in total defense. This year’s edition could be even better.

The strength of the defense is the linebacker corps, led by All-Big Ten selection Paddy Fisher. He led the Wildcats last season with 89 tackles. Right behind him in tackles are Blake Gallagher and Chris Bergin. All three guys are seniors and bring loads of experience.

Most of the losses on this side of the ball will be felt along the defensive line. Three of the four starters are gone, including Joe Gaziano who led the team with nine sacks a year ago and finished his career as the school’s all time sack leader.

Defensive end Samdup Miller however is back and the Wildcats will rely on some veteran presence like tackle Jake Saunders but will expect younger guys to fill key depth roles.

The secondary was good a year ago, not allowing a single quarterback to throw for over 300 yards. Although both Ohio State’s Justin Fields and Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan threw four touchdowns against the Wildcats. Three starters return including senior safeties Travis Whillock and JR Pace. This unit can keep control of the passing yards but it needs to cause more turnovers. The secondary only recorded three interceptions last season.

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