Northwestern University Athletics
Chat Wrap From Coach Walker's Weekly Online Chat
10/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 4, 2001
Scott Feeney, Washington, DC (NU "87): During the MSU game, NU cornerbacks gave up many 10-yard outs to the side lines a few of which could have probably been picked off by more aggressive corners. Were we purposely conceding the short outs to protect against the deep threat, or is our secondary simply young and still trying to gain confidence. (Liked the aggressive D line and linebacker play!)
Randy Walker: It is not uncommon to play coverage that forces the offense to execute. In some cases, we will give up completions on short routes if the ball is well thrown and the receivers makes the catch. At other times, we will challenge receivers and work to get pressure on the quarterback before he can make a good throw.
VACat (Charlottesville, VA): As you have always proclaimed, running the football well wins games at all levels. Against MSU, we never seemed to get it going. To get it going against OSU, will we need to change intensity, assignments, personnel or running play calling, or a combination of the above?
Randy Walker: MSU was a quality defense and forced us to rely more on Zak running the football. This week against OSU we will again work to take what the defense gives us and try to continue to improve our consistency in rushing the football.
Sandeep: Do you think the team is ready to play in the shoe with crowd noise and capacity? (I'm an NU alum) and we'll be there to support.
Randy Walker: It will be very difficult, but our team has great maturity and poise and I'm confident that we will play well and deal with the difficult conditions at OSU.
Jintsjason (Willie the WIldcat): Hey coach! Thanks for making NU your place of employment!!! You've made a lot of us alums very proud!!! No one has written much about the decision to go up the gut three times in a row on the goal line at the start of the second half last Saturday. Any reason you didn't look for Farman or Worley in that situation? And Farman looks great catching the ball! Will you try and get him more involved in the OSU game?
Randy Walker: Obviously, those are three calls we would like to have back. A combination of great defense and lack of execution kept us out of the endzone. We will certainly keep other aspects of our offense ready as we get on the goal line in Columbus
Tom: Faking the option/run and then pulling back and passing (eg. to Farman in the MSU game) seems to work when you use it - do you plan on using it more?
Randy Walker: Dave Farman has really improved as a tight end. I think you'll see his role in the offense continuing to grow.
Windy City Cat Fan: What's Sam status for Saturday and how close to 100% is he. In my opinion, he adds so much to our offense.
Randy Walker: We anticipate Sam being close to 100-percent. He played 40 plays against MSU and has practiced well all week. We will glad to have him back at full speed.
Lake Forest: At the end of the first half of the Michigan State game with three minutes left why did we use the prevent defence on every down permiting State to move down the field with a great deal of time left? This seems to me to have given them a very easy opportunity to score. Thank you
Randy Walker: I know that many people share your feeling, but there are certain risks in playing a more aggressive, attacking style of defense. We chose to force MSU to execute a number of plays well rather than give them the opportunity for a big play. I give them a lot of credit for executing their 'hurry-up-offense' well.
Coach Farley-Cedar Falls: In the offseason you added former Northern Iowa head coach Mike Dunbar to your staff. How has coach Dunbar helped your team this year and how helpful is it to have a former head coach on your staff?
Randy Walker: Mike has a great background and has been a real asset to our growth as an offense. He is also done a great job organizing our special teams and I think you will continue to see improvement in all of these areas.
Ben : You spoke somewhat harshly of our inability to run in the Trib recently - do you look at OSU as a statement game regarding your words about that?
Randy Walker: Good question, Ben. Sometimes my emotions get the best of me. There are many positives about our running game, but there is a constant need to improve. I believe that we can be even more consistent with our rushing attack as the season goes on.
Daniel H. -- NU undergrad: Given the punt and kickoff teams' vulnerability to giving up the big play, what is an acceptable number of yards to give up on an opponent's return? Are you pleased or upset when your opponent begins a drive at the 30 after a kickoff?
Randy Walker: Daniel, I have seen marked improvement with every aspect of our special team play this season. Unfortunately, the last five minutes of the MSU game do not reflect our progress. Depending on the circumstances, we would like to hold our opponents inside the 30 on kickoff return.
Tim: Who do you feel is the sleeper team in the Big Ten right now?
Randy Walker: Tim, Great question! I think this year will be full of suprises. The league is more balanced and more competitive than ever. As I said in the preseaon, there is not one team who does not have a chance to be conference champs. It should be an exciting 2001 season.
Randy Walker: Thank you for joining me tonight. Can't wait to talk to you next week as we prepare for Homecoming and the Golden Gophers
