As they begin a brand new season, the Cats will want to start with a win. As a team that struggled overall in its first five games of the season and has tough games like Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State to come later this season, it’s crucial for Northwestern to start strong. In 2022, the Wildcats lost 17-14 at home to the Miami (OH) RedHawks, but now both teams look very different. Here are three things we’re looking for in the 2024 opener:
The scheme of the new offensive coordinator Zach Lujan
After a very lackluster offensive season, the Wildcats are looking to turn the offense around in 2024. After bringing in the 2023 FCS Coordinator of the Year from the FCS national champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits, Zach Lujan is looking to transform the Cats’ offense and not make it a laughing stock. In 2023, the Jackrabbits’ offense led all FCS schools in first downs, yards per completion and yards per pass attempt, had the best red zone offense, was in the top five in rushing offense and had the third-best turnover margin. If Lujan’s offense can translate to the FBS and help take Northwestern’s offense from bad to just average, that’s a big deal.
With the starting quarterback for week one still uncertain, it’s reasonable to assume Lujan will rely heavily on the rushing offense, at least to begin with. With Cam Porter back and young upstart Joseph Himon II, this team could find offensive success that has been lacking recently. Lujan also has weapons on the outside to work with. The Cats’ second and third best receivers from last season, Bryce Kirtz and AJ Henning, are back and ready to make an impact in this offense.
After allowing the third-most sacks of any FBS team last season, the ‘Cats’ offensive line needs to improve. Hopefully, Zach Lujan will improve that, but that’s not the whole story. Northwestern picked up two players in the transfer portal who will start on the O-line right away: Jack Bailey from Colorado and Matt Keeler from Texas Tech. Allowing 51 sacks in 13 games isn’t pretty, and things can only get better from here. With a more mobile quarterback in Mike Wright and the hope of a revitalized offense with Zach Lujan, the ‘Cats could have more scoring opportunities if they can just hold their blocks.
This is what Brett Gabbert looks like after his injury
The Miami (OH) RedHawks had a record of 11-3 last season. They lost to Miami (FL) in Week 1, to Appalachian State in the Cure Bowl, and to Toledo midway through the season on October 21. In that game, RedHawks quarterback Brett Gabbert suffered a right leg injury and missed the rest of the season. The younger brother of NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert is expected to start for Miami (OH), which could benefit the “Cats.”
Gabbert hasn’t played a real football game in nearly a year. In his eight games last season, he threw for 1,634 yards, completed 59.4% of his passes, and scored 14 touchdowns. He also had 140 yards on the ground and two touchdowns on his 49 carries. Gabbert played fairly full seasons in both 2019 and 2021, but his completion percentages and touchdown-to-interception ratio weren’t stellar. His best season was 2021, when he threw for 2,418 yards and 24 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
Gabbert does tend to throw interceptions, though, as he threw five in eight games last season. With their top target from last season, Gage Larvadain, gone, the RedHawks have a void to fill in the passing game. Gabbert needs to find his rhythm early in this game and find his go-to guy, or things could get as ugly for him as Week 1 last year.
Northwestern’s run defense
In 2023, Northwestern allowed the 24th-lowest passing yards per game in the entire FBS. That puts them just behind Alabama in terms of passing yards allowed last season. The defense was in the middle of the pack in terms of points allowed per game, just behind national championship runners-up Washington Huskies. The rushing defense, which is also relatively mediocre, is the area where the ‘Cats will need to dominate to win games. With Miami (OH)’s receivers somewhat inexperienced, Northwestern should try to force Brett Gabbert to throw and let him make the mistakes.
With the first and third leading tacklers no longer on the team, the ‘Cats will have to work together to help Xander Mueller and Devin Turner contain the run attack. Stopping the run will make the RedHawks offense one-dimensional, which could benefit Northwestern. Even after allowing a 65% completion rate last season, the ‘Cats had 11 interceptions last season. With the opposing quarterback’s tendency to throw interceptions, let him throw the ball.
It will also help if the Cats can force a fumble, which they did nine times in 2023. Forcing a fumble or getting an interception will help build momentum, which is huge for a team playing its first game with a new offensive coordinator.
Gabbert’s game also has a secret rushing advantage. If the ‘Cats can plan for this and keep him in the pocket, either by running a spy or using the edge to limit him inside, he will be forced to throw the ball. If Northwestern’s secondary can stay strong and everything goes according to plan limiting Gabbert’s ability to scramble, there will be not only the usual sacks, but also some coverage sacks that will give the ‘Cats more momentum.
