Sept. 21--Unbeaten Northwestern continues to move up in the polls, but coach Pat Fitzgerald and his players are trying to deflect the national attention.
Ranked 17th in this week's AP poll after beating Duke, 19-10, in Durham, N.C., the Wildcats (3-0) host Ball State (2-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ryan Field.
Fitzgerald knows his Wildcats are no longer a secret and will be a marked opponent moving forward.
"We expect the best effort from everybody regardless of all that," Fitzgerald said Monday in Evanston. "Like I said last week (when they were 23rd), the only ranking that matters is how you rank against your best self. All our guys have to do is pop on the tape and know that we can play better. And then you watch your upcoming opponent ... and every week is kind of a one-game season.
"What's done is in the rear-view mirror. And what's coming up on the mile marker next has nothing to do with this week. If you get too focused in the rear-view mirror or if you focus too far ahead, you miss your opportunity this week."
Walker honored again: Sophomore linebacker Anthony Walker was named Big Ten defensive player of the week after notching 19 tackles against Duke, including 1 1/2 for a loss. It was Walker's second such honor this season.
