Big Ten Media Day: Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald

Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerland said 17 wins over last two years has provided team with a "foundation of success that has provided us with motivation to take that next step."

Fitzgerald said foundation is three straight seasons with bowl games, something Northwestern has never done.

On playing Illinois at Wrigley Field: "once in a lifetime opportunity."

On expansion: "Whatever is better for the conference is better for Northwestern." Said he trusts Commisssioner Jim Delany to make right decisions.

Said Northwestern is "very fortunate" in team's recent success at Iowa. Mentioned winning turnover battle (remember Iowa's five in 2008) and teams have mutual respect for one another.

Said team must be more efficient running the football and "put a strong focus on it in the spring."

Outback Bowl was a "great infomercial for us." Said former QB Mike Kafka has the best quarterbacking day in Northwestern history in that OT loss to Auburn.

On improving attendance: "We need to keep winning, number one." Improving budget to market in Chicago. "Our desired goal is to take the next step, go to our third straight bowl game."

On QB Dan Persa: understands tempo, makes other 10 guys better.