EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Wildcats travel to Champaign this week to take on Illinois in the annual Land of Lincoln Rivalry game. Coach Pat Fitzgerald addressed the matchup and more at his press conference Monday:
- Many of Northwestern’s players will spend Thanksgiving at teammates’ houses before returning to campus Friday morning for the trip to Champaign, Fitzgerald said.
- A question was asked about Fitzgerald wanting more “strength” on the offensive and defensive lines. He said one of the main issues over the past couple of years has been offseason injuries, especially on the offensive lines.
- With Kain Colter graduating, Northwestern’s quarterback situation will be different next season. Redshirt freshman Matt Alviti, a highly-touted recruit who had scholarship offers from Nebraska and Notre Dame, among others, may have a chance to win the starting job. “Let’s see how he does in spring ball,” Fitzgerald said when asked whether Alviti has a chance to win the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.
- Rivalry pride will be on the line when Northwestern faces Illinois this weekend, but at least two of the Wildcats seem more concerned with the fact the game will be the final one for this senior class. "We want to send them out with a victory," junior running back Treyvon Green said of the seniors. Junior safety Jimmy Hall, the other player who spoke to the media, articulated a similar message.