Pat Fitzgerald | Draftnasty Magazine

The 22nd-ranked Northwestern Wildcats used a furious third quarter rally to overtake the 17th-ranked Utah Utes, 31-20. Led by a defense that forced timely turnovers and 2018 SDCCU Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP Clayton Thorson, the Wildcats scored 28 unanswered points in the third stanza. DraftNasty’s Corey Chavous takes us inside the game with this photo collage.

Utah’s Army representative flies into the stadium on parachute

The Frog-X parachute team came into the stadium with a focus on entertaining the crowd.

Northwestern’s military representation flying into the field lands on the field 4

This member of the Frog-X parachute team represented the Northwestern Wildcats and landed on the field effortlessly to the delight of the crowd.

Navy holding up the American Flag during the National Anthem Center of the Field

The Navy held up the American flag to give the fans in the stands a full-sized view.

Utah shows respect to each other in the pregame

The Utes' team unity was evident during the pregame.

22 Hansen working pass rush counter with 30 Barton in the pregame

Utah All-Pac-12 linebacker Chase Hansen, pictured, would have been huge for the Utes in this game but did not play due to an undisclosed injury. The player he's doing drills with -Utes captain and LB Cody Barton- finished his 2018 campaign with 116 tackles, four quarterback sacks, 10.5 tackles for losses and six pass break-ups.

18 Thorson just gets rid of the ball as 30 Barton arrives on the blitz 2

Despite Barton's presence most of the night (8 tackles, 1/2 sack, 1/2 TFL), Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson was still able to get this pass off early in the game versus the blitz.

15 Shelley takes a shot from the EZ, 6 Shyne in PP, 7 Whillock blitzing

Utah freshman quarterback Jason Shelley once again started for an injured Tyler Huntley. Shelley passed for 302 yards (60%), 2 TDs and 2 INTs.

4 Green dives to the ball with 41 McGee closing in for the cover

Utah running back TJ Green couldn't quite get to this pass on the sidelines in the first quarter of Monday's action.

97 Gay kicks the FG as 94 Oxley nearly blocks it

Utah placekicker Matt Gay (No. 97 pictured) -the 2017 Lou Groza Award winner- nearly had this kick blocked by Northwestern DL Ben Oxley (No. 94 pictured). Gay had three kicks blocked in 2018.

6 Anae final copy of forced fumble

Utah's Bradlee Anae (No. 6 pictured) forces a fumble versus Northwestern running back Isaiah Bowser (No. 25 picutred) in the fourth quarter. He finished 2018 with 51 tackles, eight quarterback sacks, 15.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and three pass break-ups.

6 Shyne in the Wildcat as 50 Umana about to snap, 42 Fisher focused

The Utes tried to put Armand Shyne in the Wildcat near the goal line, but Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher was on his game most of the night.

42 Fisher with form tackle of 22 Brumfield in the fourth quarter

Fisher (No. 42 pictured tackling Devin Brumfield in the fourth quarter) finished second on the Wildcats in tackles this year (117). In the Holiday Bowl, he had 13 tackles, 1/2 tackle for loss and one forced fumble.

18 Thorson releases for this third quarter TD

The Wildcats were down 20-3 at halftime before a furious third quarter rally featured 28 unanswered points. Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (No. 18 pictured) threw this third quarter pass to offensive lineman Trey Klock (No. 39 pictured) to put the Wildcats up 24-20.

Everyone happy for 39 Klock III after he scores a TD in the Holiday Bowl

What a moment for the senior Klock, who battled injuries as a former offensive lineman for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Northwestern WR Riley Lees scores the TD

Northwestern's Riley Lees (No. 19 pictured) is sort of a jack of all trades for the Wildcats. The team's starting punt returner also lines up in the Wildcat and scored on an eight-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to put the team up 31-20.

18 Thorson injured late in the game after big hit by 13 Blair

Despite getting banged up late in the fourth quarter after a huge hit on the sidelines by Utah safety Marquise Blair, the game was a redemption for Thorson (No. 18 pictured). He was injured (torn ACL) in last year's 2017 Music City Bowl.

Fitzgerald’s fourth quarter Gatorade bath

Pat Fitzgerald enjoyed the Gatorade bath late in the fourth quarter.

Pace and Thorson MVPs

Sophomore safety JR Pace was named the 2018 Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP (7 tackles, 1/2 TFL, 34-yard fumble return, one interception and one pass break-up). Thorson was named the 2018 Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP after completing 21-of-30 passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Fitzgerald and Clayton Thorson celebrate the 2018 Holiday Bowl Trophy

Pat Fitzgerald held up the Holiday Bowl trophy in style as his senior quarterback Clayton Thorson approved.

Pat Fitzgerald kisses the Holiday Bowl Trophy in the rain

Northwestern HC Pat Fitzgerald kissed the Holiday Bowl trophy after the game.

Season outlook

Pat Fitzgerald’s team has won 27 games over the past three seasons but his Wildcats haven’t been able to make an appearance in the Big Ten Championship game. Once again, division foes Iowa and Wisconsin will field strong teams and offer Northwestern tough competition. Senior quarterback Clayton Thorson (6’4, 225) has started every game over the last three seasons and is on the watchlist for the Maxwell Award. The biggest key for Thorson will be how he recovers from a serious injury suffered in the 2017 Music City Bowl. With the departure of Justin Jackson, sophomore running back Jeremy Larkin (5’10, 194) will take over the duties of carrying the rock. On defense, the Wildcats have playmakers at every level. Senior cornerback Montre Hartage leads the charge on the back end, junior defensive end Joe Gaziano (6’4, 280) sets the edge and sophomore linebacker Paddy Fisher (6’4, 245) mans the second level of the defense.

Troy’s player to watch

24 Montre Hartage 6’0 190 CB-Senior

Hartage has started 26 straight games at cornerback and has worked himself into somewhat of a shutdown corner. The senior has eight career interceptions and will enter 2018 as the best defensive back on the roster. The Wildcats return three potential All-Conference players in its front seven, which should alleviate some of the responsibilities on the back end for Hartage. Look for the cornerback to have another strong season, if opposing quarterbacks choose to throw his way.

Game of the season

October 6th at Michigan State

Northwestern has defeated the Spartans in consecutive years. Last year’s contest was a game to remember, as the Wildcats bested the Spartans in a triple overtime 39-31 thriller in Evanston. This year, the Wildcats will have to travel to East Lansing to face a Michigan State team that returns a number of starters. If the Wildcats want to put the Big Ten on notice as a contender in the West division, a win against the Spartans will go a long way.

DraftNasty’s Prospect Watch

32 Nate Hall 6’2 230 LB-Senior

Hall finished 2017 with 79 tackles, six quarterback sacks, 16.5 tackles for losses, two interceptions and six pass break-ups.

Hall throws his body around and reacts quickly versus blockers. Perhaps more importantly, he can react instinctively versus the passing game. The weakness for him revolves around his man-to-man coverage skill. His pursuit angles can be hit-or-miss in pursuit. With all of that said, his ability to rush the passer and make plays in zone coverage provides a unique combination for the Wildcats. If he can drop his pad level with more consistency, look for Hall to take the next step as a prospect.

Prediction: 8-4

Northwestern will start the season 4-0 but will stumble across the finish line, according to Draftnasty’s Troy Jefferson. The Wildcats will lose on the road against Michigan State and Iowa and at home against Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

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2018 SDCCU Holiday Bowl, Photo Gallery, 12-31-18: 22) Northwestern vs. 17) Utah