Northwestern University Athletics
Spring Football Is Underway!
3/27/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 27, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Spring football is finally here, as the 2000 Big Ten Champion Northwestern Wildcat football team -- led by Heisman Trophy frontrunner Damien Anderson -- began spring workouts Thursday in Evanston. A REMINDER THAT ALL PRACTICES DURING SPRING BALL ARE CLOSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. The Wildcats will hold 15 practice sessions, culminating with the Spring Game Presented by Ameritech Yellow Pages at noon on Saturday, April 21, at Ryan Field.
Head coach Randy Walker has some specific points of emphasis for this spring, where the Wildcats are scheduled to go in full pads for 12 of the 15 sessions.
"We have to become a better defense," he said recently. "We're going to have to go to work this spring and become a much better defense. Offensively, we were very productive last year, but we think we can be more complete. There are some things on offense that right now we don't do very well. We think we can be more of a complete and balanced offense, and that's the direction we want to take."
Spring practice will also give the players their first on-field chance to adjust to the coaching changes that have occured in recent weeks. Former Northern Iowa head coach Mike Dunbar has joined the staff as the coach of tight ends and fullbacks as well as special teams coordinator, while James Patton has become the offensive line coach. The moves were made to offset the loss of former offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, who took a job with the NFL's Oakland Raiders.
