Northwestern transcript makes the rounds in Iowa City

IOWA CITY - The transcript of Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald's weekly news conference is making the rounds around the Iowa football program.

Although Fitzgerald didn't say anything too inflammatory, the questions caught the eye of Iowa players, including cornerback Shaun Prater.

One question reads, "On the potential of posting a statement win vs. Iowa ..." Prater said the words "statement win" have founds their way throughout the locker room.

"We have quotes hanging up in the bathroom and in our locker," Prater said. "It's hanging up all over the place.

"I'm not sure who puts it up. It's probably Coach (Chris) Doyle (Iowa's strength and conditioning coach)."

Northwestern has beaten Iowa four of the last five years. Fitzgerald did nothing but compliment Iowa's program in his news conference. Still those words resonate with Iowa's players like Prater.

"It shows how much they care about beating us and knocking us off and trying to keep on making it a tough game year after year," Prater said. "They're a smart physical team, and they pride themselves on giving us the toughest game possible."