Amid high emotions and many questions, the Wildcats won their first football game under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, beating Miami of Ohio, 21-3.

Northwestern University athletic director Mark Murphy speaks at ceremonies honoring former Northwestern and Miami, Ohio head football coach Randy Walker Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, in Oxford, Ohio. Walker is the all-time winningest head coach in Miami football history. Walker, who had been the head coach at Northwestern since 1999, passed away suddenly on June 29, 2006. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

The game started with a tribute to Randy Walker, which was fitting.  Coach Walker played his college ball at Miami and later became the winningest head coach in Miami history.  He left Miami for Evanston when Northwestern came looking for a new head coach following the defection of Gary Barnett to Colorado.  Coach Waker then led the Wildcats to three consecutive six win seasons and three bowl games, the only Northwestern coach in modern era history to do so. 

Coach Walker was also in the process of mentoring his successor.  He'd already decided to retire in 2012 and he'd also determined who his successor would be.  And so he began mentoring Pat Fitzgerald who would, indeed, be his replacement.  Two months and four days ago, nobody would have expected that that day would be yesterday.  But there he was on the sidelines, head coach Pat Fitzgerald: Randy Walker student, colleague and protege.  And there he was winning his first game against Coach Walker's alma mater, Miami of Ohio.

Pregame was a solemn affair with everyone observing a moment of silence in memory of Coach Walker.  The opening coin toss was handled by Coach's wife, Tammy.  And, apparently, the solemnity flowed on into the game itself as both teams played rather sluggishly throughout the first half.  When the whistle blew ending the second quarter, the score was 0-0.

In my opinion, this sluggishness was not a fitting tribute to Coach Walker.  Oh, sure, being an ex-tailback, he loved the smash-mouth, three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust type of football but this is the guy who turned NU's stodgy offense into an explosive 500+ yard, 40+ point per game juggernaut.  It just didn't seem right.

Fittingly enough, however, the scoring was opened on special teams.  As head coach, Walker handed off offensive and defensive coaching duties to others but he kept special teams for himself.  Fitzgerald is doing the same.  And I think there was some kind of spiritual logic in play when, in the third quarter, Erryn Cobb blocked a Miami punt, grabbed the ball on a bounce, and ran eight yards for the game's first score. 

Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka is tackled by Miami, Ohio defenders Robbie Wilson (6) and Joe Coniglio (51) after a short gain during the first half of their college football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

This seemed to be what the teams' offenses needed.  The Wildcat's quarterback, red-shirt freshman Mike Kafka, seemed to find his game after that as he led Northwestern on two long scoring drives of 69 and 80 yards culminating in a Tyrell Sutton 19 yard touchdown reception and a Terrell Jordan 4 yard scoring run, respectively.  And while the Redhawks scored only a field goal (with one missed), the Miami offense was also able to put together a couple of long drives of 77 and 66 yards. 

It will be interesting to watch the rest of the season unfold.  This isn't last year's team; things have changed.  The run defense, and the defense in general, seems to have improved from last year.  Mike Kafka appeared to have the physical talents to adequately replace Brett Basanez but, as we saw from his first half play, he's still not exactly comfortable at the position, yet.  The game was also played a bit sloppier than I would have liked and I'm sure Coach Walker would not have been thrilled with the silly penalties that the 'Cats took at times.  There definitely is some work to do.

Considering the Wildcats have one of the toughest schedules in the country this year, it'll take some doing to reach post-season play.  However, if Mike Kafka can grow into his position, I certainly think it's possible.  I'm going to enjoy watching it all come together.