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Coach David Braun's Northwestern Wildcats will face a team many believe is on the same level, the Colorado Buffaloes, this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill. 

The game is a big one as it represents the Wildcats' final game at the stadium before a road test at the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers next week and the opener of the new Ryan Field on Oct. 2 vs. Penn State. 

On Wednesday, Northwestern cornerback Montae Pate shared his thoughts on why he joined the Wildcats' program and received praise from defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle, himself a former star on defense for Northwestern. 

Pate Makes Presence Felt as Grad. Transfer

Pate has impressed defensive coordinator McGarigle with his improvements leading up to Saturday's game. He made his presence felt against a dangerous South Dakota State Jackrabbits passing attack last week in a 34-18 win, finishing with a pass break-up and five tackles.

"Montae got better every play of every quarter, and he's gotten better every day of practice," McGarigle said. "I'm excited to see his progress and I think he's going to truly get better every single week." 

The former Weber State Wildcats defender has unusual size for a cornerback at 6-foot-2, giving him chances to make plays others typically can't make. 

The former All-Big Sky First-Team All-Conference selection is known for his love of chess, which he says helps him at the cornerback position. 

"The thing that I love about chess is it kind of correlates with cornerback," Pate said to NUSports.com. "You have to dictate the relationship and be one step ahead. If you're reacting, you're losing." 

Hicks Impressed Pate on Visit 

Northwestern defensive backs coach LaMarcus Hicks impressed the Wildcats' transfer Pate on his visit to Evanston during which he drew up defensive tactics on a whiteboard. 

The Wildcats' tight-knit, family style atmosphere under coach Braun also drew Pate to Evanston as he bought into what the team is trying to accomplish.

"What made Northwestern the perfect fit for me was the physicality, mentality and brotherhood that the team plays with," he said. "It's like you are playing for the man next to you. That's ultimately how teams win, when you are playing for your brother." 

Northwestern's cohesion and good locker room vibes will be put to the test this weekend against a Colorado team with sky-high confidence after their opening week road win over Georgia Tech. 

Pate and the Wildcats' secondary might not be tested as much in the passing game as they were against South Dakota State, but the Buffaloes' strong running game will test Pate's strategic approach to the game in a whole different way. 

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