As Steve Spurrier stated earlier today, and amidst his astronomy dissertation, it’s the talkin’ season.
The latest to do some talkin’ is an unexpected source: Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald. At a charity golf outing Tuesday, the Wildcats head coach not only took a shot at the coach of his team’s season-opening opponent but managed to offend an entire state for good measure.
In the season opener last August at Cal, the Wildcats (somewhat) easily dispatched the Golden Bears to the tune of 44-30. Following the game, Cal head coach Sonny Dykes infamously confronted Fitzgerald during the traditional postgame handshake as the former felt the latter’s team feigned injuries in an attempt to slow down Cal’s offense.
That confrontation left Fitzgerald in a feisty, predicting mood nearly a year later.
“The way it went last year,” Fitzgerald said according to the Chicago Tribune, “I look forward to shaking that coach’s hand after we beat ‘em.”
OBC Lite, though, wasn’t done.
Nebraska will visit Evanston this year for a conference matchup Oct. 18. For whatever reason, Fitzgerald decided to take a shot at the entire state -- while also acknowledging the likelihood of a significant ‘Husker Nation presence on his home turf this fall.
“It’s a pretty boring state, so they’re really excited to see Chicago,” Fitzgerald said. “I talked to the state senator about putting state troopers out on I-80 (to block them).”
OK then.
And stock up on some popcorn. Just in case.