Are you ready for some football?

It's time to get those keys ready, find that oversized purple sweatshirt and learn the words to the fight song. It's only five weeks until the Northwestern football season's opening game at Ryan Field, and the team is already preparing for a winning season.No one knows what to expect of the Cats this season. They had a disappointing season in 2006, but Coach Pat Fitzgerald is optimistic about new recruits and veteran players who just found their game too late last time.As the players head to training camp at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, The Summer Northwestern takes a look at last season and talks to Coach Fitzgerald about what to expect from Northwestern football this fall.The beginning for FitzgeraldLast season was one of the worst NU has had in recent history, beginning with the death of Head Coach Randy Walker. Fitzgerald told the Racine Journal Times that as he was tucking his son Jack into bed, he got a call on his cell phone telling him Walker had died of a heart attack.Fitzgerald was named NU's head coach a week later. Even though it was assumed he would succeed Walker in the position, Walker's early death made Fitzgerald the youngest head coach in Division I history, at the age of 31.Although they started off strong with a win against Miami University of Ohio, the team quickly lost momentum after losing to the University of New Hampshire, a Division I-AA school, a smaller division than NU's Division I-A. Things got worse during the Michigan State University game in the middle of the season. In 2005, NU beat the Spartans 49-14, and the 2006 game seemed to be going the same way until after halftime. In the third quarter, while trailing the Wildcats 38-3, Michigan State scored 38 unanswered points, winning by three and achieving the greatest comeback in Big Ten football history.Running back Tyrell Sutton, a Communication junior, said the defeat came because of "a lack of focus" during the game."When you're up by 30 points, you tend to get lackadaisical, and (it was) the same thing with New Hampshire. They were a I-AA team, so we figured there was no way they were going to come out and be serious," Sutton said.After Michigan State, the Wildcats suffered two more defeats - once against Michigan, and again versus Ohio State."I thought there was a lot of inefficiency, not problems," Fitzgerald said about last season. "We need to improve third downs quite a bit. We were too inconsistent (with our) kicking game. A lot of guys are stepping up for that."The Wildcats ended the season 4-8, with no bowl prospects. Still, the end of the season was a highlight for Fitzgerald, who thought the way the team rallied and won two of the four games after Michigan State was an improvement, not just for the team but for its coach as well."I don't have any regrets," Fitzgerald said. "The only disappointment is (that) we didn't go to a bowl game."But that's the goal this year. The Rose Bowl may be too ambitious, but Fitzgerald still wants to give his graduating players a bowl game to remember.The official football season opens September 1 with a game against Northeastern University. Although NU faces Big Ten power teams Michigan and Ohio State back-to-back, the coaching staff isn't worried."We're not going to look past our first game with Northeastern," Fitzgerald said.Player-by-playerBefore the season opener, though, the team will report to training camp on August 11 for 11 days in Wisconsin. Sutton laughed when asked what camp is like."Hell," Sutton said. "It's in the middle of nowhere. It's hot, it's humid. It's just long. It's only 11 days, but it's the longest 11 days of your life, and it's all football. That's all it is."CJ Bachأ©r, a Communications senior and one of NU's quarterbacks, echoed Sutton's sentiments."It's grueling," he said, "but the players really come together a lot more, being up in Wisconsin, not really getting to see anybody but your teammates and coaches. It's really a bonding experience."Camp is also a chance for the new freshmen to get to know older players, and for coaches to decide starting positions for the opening game."We need to take care of Northwestern first in our camp," Fitzgerald said.The player lineup Fitzgerald has in mind will feature several veteran Wildcats. On the offense, Bachأ©r will return as quarterback, although Fitzgerald said he will be greatly challenged for that position by other players. Bachأ©r injured his leg with a stress fracture in 2006's pre-season, but came back to start in the final five games of last season.Sutton, named this summer as a player to watch for Maxwell Award's College Player of the Year, will return as well. The junior from Akron, Ohio, ran for 1,000 yards last season and started all 12 games. He also had a great offseason, Fitzgerald said.Several NU seniors will be starting as the team's offensive lineup. including Adam Crum, Dylan Thiry, Joel Belding and Trevor Rees. Fitzgerald, however, said he is keeping his options open for other linemen to step up.The defensive line this season has a lot of depth, Fitzgerald said. Several players are competing for the starting defensive end position, and Deante Battle and Reggie McPherson will be returning to their old positions of cornerback and free safety.Having graduated wide receiver, Shaun Herbert in June, Fitzgerald said players like Ross Lane, Rasheed Ward, and former quarterback Andrew Brewer will get the chance to shine.The spring season also allowed some new faces to surface, mostly redshirt freshmen who will be seeing their first playing time this season."I was pleased with the improvement of several players," Fitzgerald said. He mentioned Nate Williams, a linebacker, and Mike Boyle, an offensive lineman, both redshirt freshmen who had good spring seasons.The surprise of last season, though, was cornerback Sherrick McManis. The rising sophomore from Peoria, Ill., ranked 7th last year in the Big Ten for kickoff return average. "McManis was a big surprise last year, a very gifted athlete," Fitzgerald said. "He truly has a chance to take the next step."As for special teams, Kyle Daley, a junior from Arlington, Texas, and Amado Villarreal, from Englewood, Colo., will return after not seeing any action last year."We're (also) going to have two first time kickers for Northeastern," Fitzgerald said. Additionally, Justin Pines, a senior from Media, Penn., and the goalie for Northwestern men's soccer, will try his hand at kicking this season. "(So) we've got a little bit of competition."Recruiting the next team of WildcatsOutside of this year's coming lineup, Fitzgerald is looking ahead to the next set of Wildcats. Recruiting is already in full swing for the class of 2012. Fitzgerald, who was the recruiting coach under Walker, is now aggressively seeking the best high school talent across the country."I text message our recruits every day or every other day, Fitzgerald said. "Recruiting is a 365-day-a-year job."NCAA rules prohibit Fitzgerald from commenting on recruits, but word has gotten out over the Internet about a few future Wildcats. As of July 24, eight have committed to Northwestern after graduating high school, according to Wildcat Report, an online scouting database.Fitzgerald is rumored to have recruited five linemen, as well as Jimmy Howell, ranked as the No. 7 U.S. high school punter, who will join the Wildcats in the Fall of 2008. Jeremy Ebert, from Hillard, Ohio, has beensigned on as a possible slot receiver. Northwestern's 8th rumored recruit, Jeravin Matthews, is capable of running a 40-yard dash in under 4.3 seconds, according to Wildcat Report.Fitzgerald attributes his success in recruiting to his own time at NU."Knowing Northwestern as well as any coach is a great asset in recruiting," he said. "I can tell them what it's like to have the discipline, focus and sacrifice. (College is) a big jump for all of us, especially student athletes. I understand what they're going through. It doesn't mean I sympathize, but I understand."Fitzgerald gains the most satisfaction from his job, however, by following an athlete from recruitment to graduation."To see a student four or five years down the line, developed and prepared for life (is the best part)," he said.Some students he has seen through the years are already succeeding. Nick Roach, who broke his leg during last season's Michigan State game, is now a free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Shaun Herbert, Terrell Jordan, Joe Tripodi and four other former Wildcats are also eligible for the NFL draft this year.Many of the star players on this year's team were recruited by Fitzgerald, and it's easy to see why Fitzgerald has had such success with recruiting. His passion for NU comes across even in a simple conversation."The number one thing I've learned is this is one of the most special places in the county," he said. "It's not for everybody, but if it is for you, it's a great place."As for the coming fall, the players are ready to deliver a winning season, and even a bowl game, to the student fans. Fitzgerald is just excited for the season to start."I look forward to seeing all our students out there wearing purple, cheering on the Wildcats."