Saturday's 50-14 win over Illinois was coach Pat Fitzgerald's 49th career win at Northwestern, tying him with Lynn "Pappy" Waldorf for first on the school all-time list, but he wasn't overly impressed with making history.

In fact, he gave the game ball to longtime assistant Jerry Brown, who has been on the Northwestern staff for 20 seasons.

"Today was Jerry Brown's 118th win as Wildcat assistant coach," Fitzgerald said. "I'll start talking about wins myself when I get to 118 or 119. That's what it's all about, men like Jerry who have led and developed so many of our former players in the locker room."

Brown has done some of his best work this season. The defensive backs coach helped a young secondary that looked vulnerable early in the season record five interceptions in their last two games.