Northwestern University Athletics
Chat Wrap From Coach Walker's Weekly Online Chat
10/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2001
Randy Walker: Good evening! Let's talk about Wildcat Football!
Brad K. (Troy): Hey Coach Walker! Myself being from Troy, Ohio it is great to see you being very successful at Northwestern. I wanted to know what made you decide on using the spread offense attack? It is so fun to watch. Good luck the rest of the year Coach!
Randy Walker: After our first year we found ourselves without proven players at the tight end and fullback positions. We decided that since they make you play with 11 that we would just have to open up the offense and play with three or four wide receivers. It has worked extremely well due to the hardwork of our offensive staff led by Kevin Wilson. Go Trojans!
Roger (Detroit): Randy, Do you feel as if teams have figured out your offense enough so that you can no longer just outscore teams and that if you don't significantly improve on defense you won't have as much success as you had last year?
Randy Walker: Football continues to be a team game. Our defense held up and played great football against Michigan State and Minnesota, especially in the second half. All three aspects of football, offense, defense and the kicking game, must work in concert for a team to reach its potential. I've often said, I don't care if it's 3-2 or 50-49 as long as we come out on top.
John (Orlando): Coach, As a transplanted Chicagoian I am an avid Wildcat fan. Last year the offense carried the team and with so many returning starters on that side of the ball why has the offense been so inconsistent? Did the defenses learn from last year or is the offense to blame?
Randy Walker: John, we have been inconsistent at times, but I think much of the credit goes to our opponents who have done a great job defending our offense. In spite of getting people's best effort, we are still among the Big Ten leaders in every category. There is a lot of football left in the season and I think we all believe that our best football is ahead of us.
Bob in Charlotte: Coach, I flew in for the game...tough way to lose...It looks to me as though the only times the offencse drove authoritatively was when we were tied or behind. Did the players take Penn State seriously? Thanks, and let's get Purdue!!
Randy Walker: I can assure you our players took Penn State seriously. There is no question in my mind that we got Penn State's best effort of the year. They played hard and executed very well and did not turn the football over the whole day.
Jeff: Hey Coach....I am an NU student and have a lot of respect for your style of coaching. My question is: how do you think Tony Stauss is developing? Will the offense be a different style next season?
Mike...Davidson NC: Coach do you think Penn State has the ability to run the table and win out?
Randy Walker: If Penn State executes like they did against us and continues to win the turnover ratio, there is no question they can win out. They some of the best talent in the Big Ten and can match up with anyone.
Barbara (Chicago): Hello coach Walker, I graduated this past June with an M.A. from Northwestern, and it was really tough! I was wondering how the football players manage to keep up their studies and G.P.A.'s while attending all the practices during the week and games on weekends. Thanks, and keep up the great work! I hope you guys beat Purdue on Saturday!
Randy Walker: It is very demanding for all student-athletes to balance their schedules. Our academic counselors led by Margaret Akerstrom do a great job of assisting our players. We also have highly motivated young men who understood when they came to NU they would face a challenge academically.
Jon (Seattle): What will it take to beat Michigan and win the Big 10?
Randy Walker: Jon, we do not play Michigan this year. But in the balanced Big Ten they will certainly face their share of tough opponents in the second half of the season.
Kevin Gac: Are you guys planning on changing your defensive approach for the Purdue game?
Randy Walker: Kevin, one of the real challenges of football is facing different schemes each week. We face a tremendous opponent in Purdue. Their offense is wide open and they have been among the national leaders every year in scoring and total offense. This will be like every week as we must concentrate on what makes each opponent unique and do our best to stop it.
Jack Pennsylvania: Coach, big fan, watched a good deal of Purdue games and think that the key to their offense is establishing Montrel Lowe. Was wondering if you agree and how we intend to slow him down? Go Cats!
Randy Walker: Jack, I couldn't agree with you more. Almost every offense needs to be multi-dimensional to be successful. As much as Coach Tiller likes to throw, you can believe that he likes to run the ball just as much. It will be difficult to stop a great back like Montrel, but we need to do a good job of containing him.
Randy Walker: Thanks for your interest and support. We look forward to talking with you again next Wednesday after what will be an exciting Purdue game.
