Northwestern University Athletics
Football Is Geared and Ready For Saturday's Scrimmage
8/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern football team conducted full-pad practices Thursday evening and Friday morning in preparation for Saturday's scrimmage at Wisconsin-Parkside. Both practices went well, and Coach Walker is pleased with the progress that has been made through the first full week of Camp Kenosha.
One of the biggest question marks surrounding the Wildcats heading into preseason was the defense. However, Walker has been pleased at the focus of the group through the first eight days.
"The defense is significantly different in one respect, our attitude," said Walker. "I promised that we were going to approach the game differently and take on a different attitude. To their credit, the players have accepted that. People are flying around, lifting each other up and caring about each other. The zest and zeal out there has been outstanding."
Walker is excited for Saturday's scrimmage.
"I want to see which of the young guys are going to step up," he said after Friday morning's session. "That will be our big emphasis. A lot of our top players have proven themselves in game situations -- they don't need to do it Saturday. But some of our younger guys have had good camps, and I want to see if they can translate that over to a scrimmage session."
"There is a huge difference between a game, where you're moving the chains, and a practice," he continued. "There is ebb and flow in football, good and bad things happen. Saturday, I want to see how the young players respond to that."
