After Northwestern’s 54-40 upset win in East Lansing, a satisfied Pat Fitzgerald and some offensive and defensive reps addressed the media.

Pat Fitzgerald

• On the team’s slow start: “The game didn’t start the way we wanted to. We knew they wanted to knock us out early.”
• Fitzgerald also commended his team’s endurance: “We didn’t flinch. We kept battling.”
• After Thorson’s pick, Fitzgerald said his quarterback stayed even-keeled: “He didn’t lose his composure. He didn’t get upset. ... Bad things happen. It’s more about how you respond then what happens.”
• On his team’s ability to run the ball and stretch the field: “A year ago, we couldn’t do that.