Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald calls Nebraska a 'pretty boring state'
SEC coaches aren’t the only ones who can do a bit of talking during the offseason.
After participating in a golf tournament with several other coaches and supporters in suburban Chicago Monday, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald urged the fans in attendance to fill Ryan Field on a weekly basis for the upcoming season.
Fitzgerald also alluded to one game in particular – the homecoming showdown with Nebraska on Oct. 18. The Nebraska fan base travels well and Fitzgerald threw a little dig at the Cornhusker State while doing his part to stir up some anticipation for the game.
“It’s a pretty boring state, so they’re really excited to see Chicago,” Fitzgerald said, per the Chicago Tribune. “I talked to the state senator about putting state troopers out on I-80 (to block them.)”
Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten prior to the 2011 season, the Cornhuskers and Wildcats have played three extremely close games. Northwestern came out on top in Lincoln 28-25 in 2011, then the Cornhuskers returned the favor in 2012, winning 29-28 in Evanston with a large contingent of Nebraskans making the trip.
Nebraska won last year’s contest on a last-second Hail Mary pass, so the Wildcats definitely have revenge on their minds.
Fitzgerald might have just upped the stakes with his comments, but he didn't stop with Nebraska.
Fitzgerald also alluded to his team's season opener against Cal. The Wildcats knocked off the Golden Bears 44-30 on the road to open up the 2013 season, and Cal head coach Sonny Dykes accused Fitzgerald's players of faking injuries in efforts to slow down Cal's up-tempo offense.
Fitzgerald wasn't a fan of Dykes' assertion and predicted another victory in the rematch on August 30.
"The way it went last year," Fitzgerald said, "I look forward to shaking that coach's hand after we beat 'em."
Feisty!
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
