Adam RittenbergESPN Senior Writer September 3, 2023, 6:07pm ET6 minutes read
Northwestern coach describes ‘relief’ about start of season
Northwestern interim coach David Braun says he felt a sense of relief when he was finally able to play a game following the program’s hazing allegations.
PISCATAWAY, NJ – Northwestern interim coach David Braun experienced the usual disappointment, frustration and self-criticism that comes from a largely no-contest loss to open the season on Sunday.
But Braun felt something else after a tumultuous summer that forever changed the program, the university and his own life: a sense of relief.
Northwestern fell to Rutgers 24/7 at SHI Stadium and avoided its first shutout since 2019 by scoring a touchdown with 19 seconds left in the game. It was the Wildcats’ 12th straight loss.
It was also the program’s first game without longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired July 10 amid hazing allegations.
The result against Rutgers was unacceptable, Braun said, but the contest brought familiarity to a team that has had few normal days since Fitzgerald was fired.
“This is the easiest thing I’ve experienced since I took over, just from the perspective of how we play football,” said Braun, who was promoted from defensive coordinator on July 13. “It’s an opportunity to look around, look at these guys. “They’ve worked so hard to get to this point. Are there a lot of things I need to work on that I’m obviously taking notes on as the game progresses? In any case. I need to get a lot better at it. I’m going to take on this role and I’m looking forward to getting a lot better.
“But given the gravity of the matter, it was more of a relief to get to match day.”
Northwestern interim coach David Braun tried to find a silver lining after the team’s 12th straight loss last season, saying it was “a relief” to finally play in a game after a tumultuous summer for the program play. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Braun made it clear that Northwestern came to Rutgers to win and “significantly missed” its goal. He also remained confident that the team would respond despite no wins on U.S. soil since October 16, 2021 and the coaching change occurring in July.
Other than Fitzgerald, no coach or player has been disciplined over the hazing allegations, and athletic director Derrick Gragg told ESPN he doesn’t expect any further personnel changes unless new information emerges.
Northwestern lost only a few players to the transfer portal in the month following Fitzgerald’s firing. Fitzgerald’s son Jack, a freshman tight end, remained with the team as a student assistant and attended Sunday’s game.
“The resilience of this group … a loss, we will not accept the result,” Braun said. “We are frustrated and completely dissatisfied with the result. But I have no doubt about the way our guys are going to progress.”
Northwestern allowed 16 touchdown plays on Rutgers’ first two possessions, with the Scarlet Knights carrying the ball 21:44 en route to a 17-0 halftime lead. The first half for Northwestern included a successfully executed pass on a fake punt that went just past the first-down marker and a late interception by quarterback Ben Bryant, who did not appear ready for the snap before completing his pass accelerated.
The Wildcats prevented big attacks on defense but struggled to get off the field as Rutgers converted eight of 18 third-down chances and all three fourth-down chances.
“At the end of the day, everything comes back to me,” said Braun. “I’m looking forward to watching the film and seeing where I can get better. We have enough talent on this team. People will tell us otherwise, but we have enough talent on this team to win football games. There will be no excuses or explanations.
Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan’s 1-yard pass to running back Caleb Komolafe prevented the shutout, but Northwestern finished the game with just 201 yards, committed three turnovers and needed the final drive to post a positive net rushing total (12th). yards). Northwestern’s offense also struggled in 2022, ranking 127th nationally in scoring at 13.8 points per game – the worst among power conference teams – and 123rd in average yards per game (4th). ,54).
Rutgers had five different players record sacks and finished with 8 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and interceptions by Max Melton and Robert Longerbeam. Northwestern’s yardage total was the fewest Rutgers has allowed in a Big Ten game.
“There were plays we just didn’t make, and to keep our drives going, we didn’t have much of the ball today,” said Bryant, a transfer from Cincinnati who made his Northwestern debut and had 169 passing yards and more touchdowns.
Linebacker Bryce Gallagher, who totaled 19 tackles, agreed with Braun and said the game was “very relieving” after the summer. But he added that simply reaching the season isn’t the goal for a team that has lost 17 of 19 Big Ten regular-season games since reaching the conference championship game in 2020.
“Unfortunately, some things happen in football and you don’t always get the results you want, but I know we have a winning football team in the locker room,” Gallagher said. “We have a winning attitude and we will come back and turn things around this season.”
Braun, who had never coached in the FBS before joining Northwestern in January, made his head coaching debut while also serving as defensive coordinator. He said he regretted several calls, particularly in the first half, but praised the defensive staff for good communication and helping when his attention needed to be focused on Northwestern’s offense.
Last month, Braun spoke about how the team was “worthy of doing something great” after what they had been through. Asked Sunday if Northwestern just needed a good day, he said, “The day is coming, I can’t wait.”
The Wildcats open their home game Saturday against UTEP.
“It’s really easy to get emotional and passionate and say, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ “You start talking about this linear growth, but that’s not what a season looks like,” Braun said. “It doesn’t matter if you win a national championship or are fighting for your first win of the season. There must be ups and downs. We just started the season with a disappointing loss.”
“Our guys are going to recover, they’re going to get back on their feet.”