Northwestern University Athletics
The 2001 Football Outlook
8/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 17, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - With one of the top theater departments in the country, Northwestern can boast a stable of famous actors and actresses among its alumni base. So it would not take long to find someone on campus who knows the prevalent credo in the world of show business: "always leave them wanting more."
Ryan Field might be a good place to start.
The 2000 Wildcat football season left an indelible chapter in the program's annals. Picked at or near the bottom of the Big Ten by nearly every preseason forecaster, Northwestern turned the conference on its ear the very first weekend, scoring a 47-44 double-overtime win at Wisconsin against a Badger team that was defending its second straight Big Ten title and ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
That early win set the Wildcats on a ride that ultimately led to a share of the Big Ten title -- a ride that, at times, defied belief. A Hail Mary pass to beat Minnesota and punctuate a 21-point comeback? Please. A 54-51 win over Michigan on national television? You have to be kidding.
Those things happened, though, before the season ended with a loss to Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl. The team plane had not even landed at O'Hare following that game, though, and the question was being thrown around by fans and media members alike:
What will the 2001 Wildcats be able to do for an encore?
The months of debate are coming to a close, and as the Zero Hour approaches, head coach Randy Walker has one goal -- that history repeats itself.
In 1995, Northwestern shocked the college football world by earning a share of the Big Ten title and a berth in the Rose Bowl. However, what was equally impressive was the following season, when the Wildcats again claimed the conference crown en route to a Citrus Bowl appearance (at the time, Big Ten teams were not allowed to make back-to-back appearances in the Rose Bowl).
Fast forward five years. The 2001 season approaches, and with a number of key returnees in place Northwestern faces heightened expectations -- just like 1996. Will this year's squad take a lesson from its predecessors?
More to the point -- to borrow from one of Coach Walker's many analogies -- are the Wildcats ready to be the hunted instead of the hunter?
A look at the depth chart reveals a lineup that should be as close to answering those questions as any Coach Walker could ask for.
As opposed to the defense-driven success of 1995 and 1996, last year's title run was bolstered primarily by the strength of Northwestern's no-huddle, spread offense. With all but one starter back on that unit, Walker is hoping to unveil an even more eye-popping show this fall.
"Offensively, we were very productive last year, but we think we can be more complete," said Walker. "Despite leading the Big Ten in total offense and scoring, we think we can be more of a complete and balanced offense. And that's the direction we want to take."
Any talk of the offense has to start with running back Damien Anderson. The senior became the first back in NU history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark for a single season last year -- he had 2,063 -- and was a consensus All-America. This year, he will be the man teams start with when coming up with a defensive plan.
"We know Damien Anderson is a great player," said Walker. "He is an All-America on just about everybody's list, and he's certainly a legitimate candidate who will be considered strongly for the Heisman Trophy. Two thousand yards is no small feat."
Kevin Lawrence was an able backup last year, with 361 yards on 72 carries (5.0 yards per carry), and Torri Stuckey gave hints that he will be a player to watch in the future after averaging 4.7 yards per carry as a true freshman in 2000. Stuckey's classmate, Noah Herron, could also bolster this unit -- he was injured during much of the 2000 season but looked good in spring drills.
Fullbacks Vincent Cartaya and Gilles Lezi are the leading candidates to join Anderson and Co. in the backfield, clearing paths in their blocker roles.
The quarterback spot has plenty of depth, but as the 2001 season begins there is no doubt who will lead the Wildcats onto the field. Senior Zak Kustok seemed tailor-made for the new offensive scheme last year, as he set a school record with 2,894 yards of total offense (505 rushing, 2,389 passing). He also completed 19 touchdown passes, another school record, and ran for nine more scores to tie Otto Graham's QB mark. After gaining honorable mention All-America and All-Big Ten honors in 2000, Kustok is considered by many to be among the top quarterbacks in the conference in 2001.
"Zak Kustok had a tremendous year in 2000 and I think he's the best quarterback in the Big Ten," said Walker. "I know there are a lot of good quarterbacks, but I wouldn't trade him for anyone. He is a versatile player who throws the ball as well as he runs it, and that gives the defense a lot of problems."
Three prime candidates will back up Kustok. Sophomore Tony Stauss is a highly regarded gunslinger who looked impressive in spring ball, while Matt Danielson showed his capabilities in limited action last year behind Kustok (13-26 passing for 164 yards and a TD). Freshman Brett Basanez, one of the most highly touted QBs in the Midwest, will join the mix in preseason practices.
One of the biggest keys to the offense's success last year lay in the depth and ability of the wide receiving corps. Ten players caught passes in the season-opening win against Northern Illinois, jump-starting a unit that ultimately saw 15 players catch passes and nine snare TD receptions. Of those 15 players, 13 return.
"We are extremely deep at the wide receiver position," said Walker. "We feel like we have a lot of very good football players back. It is important to us to have a balanced offense, so it's important to have those guys in the mix."
The top threat last year was senior Sam Simmons, who caught a team-high 38 passes for 498 yards, a 13.1 average, and had five touchdown receptions in earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. He is slotted to line up in the H-Back spot this year. Roger Jordan will back him up after catching 26 passes for 225 yards (8.7 average) as a true freshman last year. Louis Ayeni was set back by an injury last season after a spectacular freshman campaign, but he is back and healthy. Ayeni caught a pair of passes in six appearances in 2000, including a 35-yard score against Purdue.
Junior Jon Schweighardt, a regular in the lineup since his first game in uniform at Northwestern, is a superb possession receiver who caught 35 balls for 348 yards (9.9 ypr). He is the frontrunner as Northwestern's X-receiver. Junior Ronnie Foster had just four catches last year, but he is a speedster who showed during spring ball that he can fill Teddy Johnson's shoes as the Wildcats' top legitimate long-ball threat. Jordan could also see time at the X spot.
Last year, junior Kunle Patrick came out of nowhere to become one of Kustok's primary targets in 2000. After redshirting in 1999, Patrick grabbed 34 passes last year for 369 yards (10.9 average) and earned Freshman All-America honors. He will line up as the Wildcats' Z-Receiver. Sophomore Jason Wright played in 10 games as a true freshman last year, catching two passes. He is a superb athlete who looked very strong in spring ball and will see plenty of time on the field as a receiver in 2001. A key addition could be Jovan Witherspoon, who transferred to Northwestern from Notre Dame.
The current edition of Northwestern football has grown up together, and nowhere is that more apparent than on the offensive line. After two years of solid and steady football, the line enters the 2001 season considered not just the top unit in the traditionally power-driven Big Ten but among the top groups in the country. The youngsters who were thrown into the fire a few years ago are now a punishing band of veterans -- all five starters return from last year.
"The offensive line is the strength of our football team," said Walker. "Returning all five starters is a positive. And we have some exceptional players up there."
The tackle positions are anchored by a pair of fifth-year seniors, Mike Souza on the right side and Leon Brockmeier on the left side. Brockmeier was a second team All-Big Ten selection last year and enters the 2001 season considered one of the top tackles in the conference. The backups at those positions are Derek Martinez, a junior who saw limited action last year, and Ikechuku Ndukwe, a redshirt freshman who can match up with anyone in the Big Ten physically.
At the guard positions, Lance Clelland is another fifth-year senior, while Jeff Roehl made an immediate impression in his first year on the right side. Roehl, a transfer from Notre Dame, earned honorable mention All-America and All-Big Ten honors and was the recipient of Northwestern's Offensive Newcomer Award. Fifth-year senior Adam Fay, a former starter, and redshirt freshman Matt Ulrich bolster the guard position.
At center, Austin King has been a starter since early in his true freshman campaign. Now a junior, he is established as one of the finest centers in the Big Ten and the nation. After earning Freshman All-America honors in 1999, King was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick last year by both the coaches and the media. Classmate Carl Matejka provides backup at that position.
The defense returns a number of solid second- and third-year starters, but some key losses will give the unit plenty of holes to fill.
"We have to be a better defense," said Walker. "We were near the bottom of the conference in many defensive categories, and we feel we have better personnel and a better plan than that would indicate. We have some quality players returning to that side of the ball."
Nowhere is that more evident than on the line, where three of last year's four starters have graduated. The lone returning starter is tackle Salem Simon, who recovered from a knee injury last year to play in 10 games and record 37 tackles (five for loss). He will anchor the defensive line. The other tackle will likely be junior Pete Chapman, who was a regular in the rotation last year and played in every game. Sophomore Colby Clark will look to earn playing time, as will juniors George Woods and Matt Anderson.
At the end positions, fifth-year senior Pete Konopka and senior Onaje Grimes are hoping to fill the shoes left by NFL signees Dwayne Missouri and Conrad Emmerich. Konopka played in every game last year and had 15 tackles, while Grimes played in nine contests. Look for junior Ben Kennedy to move into the rotation here after a few years of shifting to many different positions, as well as junior Ray Bogenrief. Also, do not be surprised to see Napoleon Harris slide into one of the end positions from his normal spot as an outside linebacker.
"We suffered some casualties on the defensive line because of graduation," said Walker. "By the same token, I think we have some guys who are going to step up. The young guys need to step up and show us what they can do."
Walker can afford to experiment with Harris up front, as he boasts one of the top linebacking units in the country. This unit has proven time and again its ability to make the big play when needed. "That is the strength of our defense," said Walker. "We return four quality and proven performers, and they will certainly be the anchor."
Senior Billy Silva is a third-year starter in the middle, and is on the preseason Watch List for the Nagurski Award after leading the Wildcats in tackles last year with 124. He also had two interceptions, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Sophomore Ryan Peterson will back him up in the middle.
On the outside, Kevin Bentley remains one of the most dangerous players around. After finishing among the nation's top tacklers in 1999 with 148, he had 86 stops in 2000 to go with an interception and two fumble recoveries. In his career, Bentley has returned an interception (1999 at Purdue) and a fumble (2000 at Wisconsin) for a touchdown.
On the other side, Harris had 115 tackles last year, the second straight year he surpassed the 100-tackle mark. Maybe the best athlete on the team, he finished second on the team with 13 tackles for loss and added three sacks, two interceptions, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Backups at linebacker include Pat Durr, a junior who came on strong last year in place of Bentley when he was injured. Durr finished the season with 62 tackles, an interception and a pair of forced fumbles. Sophomore Dan Pohlman is a great athlete who has made the move over from the offensive side of the ball, while sophomore Syga Thomas showed glimpses of promise last year in limited duty.
Two more holes need to be filled in the defensive backfield, but new position coach Pat Fitzgerald still has plenty of horses to work with.
"The DB's were another area hit hard by graduation," said Walker. "However, we have some quality players and athletes coming along there. There are young players who have not played or received a lot of opportunity -- how big a contribution can they make?"
Raheem Covington started every game last year on the right side and had 81 tackles to finish among the team leaders. On the other side, Chasda Martin is the preseason front-runner to start -- he played in nine games in 2000. Junior Brandon Evans and sophomore Marvin Ward will provide competition in preseason for a spot in the rotation.
At the safety spots, Sean Wieber filled in admirably after injuries decimated the position last year and finished with 39 tackles. He also had an interception and forced a fumble. On the other side, Marvin Brown is a cagey veteran whose time has come. Backups include junior Mark Roush and sophomore Jarvis Adams.
Coach Walker hopes to have an improved special teams unit in 2001, and he has plenty of experience in the specialty spots.
"After last season ended, we went to work and spent a lot of the spring putting together quality special teams," said Walker. "We are hoping that work pays off this season."
J.J. Standring will be looking to punt for the Wildcats for the fourth straight year after averaging nearly 41 yards per kick in 2000. He will receive a heavy challenge from David Wasielewski, a transfer from Florida who becomes eligible this fall. Wasielewski will also battle sophomore Brian Huffman for the placekicking duties, as both try to fill the very large shoes left by consensus All-Big Ten selection Tim Long. Standring remains as the team's primary holder on PATs and field goals. Look for Souza to handle short-snapping duties on placekicking situations and Mike Griffin to handle long-snapping duties as the team makes up for the graduation of snap specialist Jack Harnedy.
Simmons is listed as the team's primary returner for both kickoffs and punts after handling a majority of those duties in 2000. However, several different players could also fill in capably at that spot. Wright will give Simmons a run on kickoffs, while sophomore Ward has shown explosive athleticism and will have an opportunity on punt returns.
Once again, Walker and his staff welcome a freshman class that features some highly regarded talent. According to Walker, some of these players will vie for playing time immediately.
"We signed 13 defensive players, and we did that for a reason," he said. "We think a few of them will be able to compete right away. I also think there is a possibility that one or two of the skill position players we brought in can find a spot in the lineup -- there might be an opportunity at wide receiver or running back."
A quick look at the schedule serves notice that the nation will be watching the Wildcats in 2001. The season opener, at Nevada-Las Vegas, will take place on Friday night, Sept. 7, and broadcast nationally on ESPN. The Wildcats are also scheduled to be on national television against Michigan State (Sept. 29) and at Ohio State (Oct. 6).
"The season opens up with a bang," said Walker. "UNLV is a very well-coached and good football team that beat Arkansas in its bowl game. We will be playing, again, a very demanding Big Ten schedule, and we're looking forward to that. But before we get to that, we'll have to come out and play well early in the non-conference games."
In addition to the Spartans, the home schedule features Navy, a homecoming visit from Minnesota, the first meeting with Penn State since 1998, and a revenge game with Iowa. On the road, the Wildcats meet the Rebels of UNLV and the Buckeyes as well as Big Ten co-champion Purdue and Indiana on consecutive weeks, a non-conference battle at Duke, and a Thanksgiving Day treat at Illinois to close out the regular-season campaign.
One of the most recognizable lines in the entertainment industry is "the show must go on." As the 2001 season approaches, the pieces are in place for the wild 'Cat ride to continue.
Strap in.
