Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck holds a special place in his heart for Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
Fleck, who grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago, will revisit the historic landmark when Minnesota (6-4) visits Northwestern (5-5) on Saturday afternoon.
The game will take place at the Cubs’ 111-year-old stadium, where Northwestern also played last week as its new stadium is constructed about 15 miles north in Evanston, Ill.
The Golden Gophers secured bowl eligibility and are attempting to improve their postseason standing with two games to go. Meanwhile, the Wildcats need one more win to become bowl eligible for the second time in the past three seasons.
Both teams hope to bounce back from disappointing losses.
Minnesota is coming off a 42-13 loss on the road against No. 8 Oregon. The Golden Gophers fell behind 28-6 at the half and never threatened to make a comeback.
Fleck pointed to the return of running back Darius Taylor as a bright spot in the loss. Taylor finished with 57 yards on 10 carries, and he will look to take another step forward this weekend as he prepares to face Northwestern.
“You want to make sure you give him enough, but you also want to make sure you continue to have him the rest of the year,” Fleck said. “… He just adds a different dynamic to our offense.”
Meanwhile, the Wildcats will try to regroup after a heartbreaking 24-22 loss against No. 18 Michigan at Wrigley Field last weekend. Northwestern lost on a 31-yard field goal as time expired, spoiling what had been a mostly impressive performance by the team.
Northwestern coach David Braun wants his team to focus on the remaining challenges instead of lamenting one that got away against a nationally ranked rival.
“None of us want to hear, ‘Hey, good effort, guys. You gave Michigan a run for their money,'” Braun said.
Preston Stone has passed for 1,706 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season for Northwestern.
Minnesota’s starting quarterback is Drake Lindsey. He has thrown for 1,881 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in his first season as a starter.
–Field Level Media
