Northwestern University Athletics
Coach Walker Q&A Answers
10/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 1, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Coach Walker is ready for your questions on a weekly basis.
Here is NUsports.com's second week with the coach and your questions.
Mike from Baltimore, Ma., Other than the game against Miami (Ohio) the defense has played well and has shown huge improvements from the previous years. What has made the biggest difference in this year's team?
Coach Walker: Well Mike, two things. First of all we're a year bigger stronger and faster. A lot of the kids that played last year are still playing and we were quite a young football team a year ago. They all got busy in the weight room and took themselves physically where we need to be. I also think our defensive staff has done a good job, we are pretty diverse in what we are trying to do and I think we've done a good job coaching our guys and they've been playing more decisively.
David from Houston, Texas, Coach, I have been to all the games so far this season and have not seen the no huddle employed. While I think it was a good move to abandon it, is it completely out of the arsenal?
Coach Walker: David, it is still part of what we do. It is by design that we have gone to more a conventional approach. We are still trying to find the right place to reintroduce the no huddle and still carry it in the offense. Perhaps this weekend against Minnesota it will come out.
Robert from Arlington Heights, Ill., Brian Huffman's punting and kickoffs have been outstanding. It makes me happy to see our kickoffs landing deep in the end zone. However, our field goal kicking is going to be our undoing, especially in close games. Is there a quick fix for this?
Coach Walker: I have total confidence in Slade Larscheid. He has practiced extremely well and unfortunately the field goal operation is a three-man deal. In some cases, Slade's misses have not been his fault. I believe he has all the tools necessary to be a great kicker and I think you will see that before the season is over.
Collin from Carol Stream, Ill., After five years as Northwestern's head coach, how has the program improved and how do you propose we'll have more on-field success in the future?
Coach Walker: I feel very good about the quality of football team we have right now, I do think we need to do a better job of executing in some cases, but it's exciting to feel like we're playing better football than we have in recent years with still a very young football team. Most of the guys who are starting for us now will be back next year and in a lot of cases the next two years. I believe the future is bright and I think these kids continue to get better, but the key thing to do now is to learn how to win. I think we are knocking on the door, we are consistently improving and now we just need to find a way to win on a consistent basis.
Eddie from Jacksonville, Fla., According to the ESPN announcers during the NU-OSU game, they said the Buckeye safeties were playing too aggressive. The believed the middle of the field could have been tested. Will we see pass plays in the future that will keep the safeties honest and be more of the downfield variety?
Coach Walker: Ohio State by nature plays downhill. But you still have to beat the corners and the corner play that game was outstanding. They did a great job of holding up our receivers and had good pressure up front. We do need to do a better job of throwing the ball deep. We've made that a priority and hopefully we'll bust a couple loose against Minnesota.
Steve from Lombard, Ill., Coach Walker, is it possible for a walk-on to start for the Northwestern Wildcats?
Coach Walker: Yes, it has happened on a number of occasions. Doug Szymul, who has started a number of games in his career, is a former walk-on. Bryan Heinz, was just put on scholarship, he is former walk-on, now a front-line defensive player for us. I believe over the last five years, 10 walk-ons have earned scholarships and a number of those have started.
Mike from Lindenhurst, Ill., Why are we ranked so low in kickoff returns, excluding all the touchbacks, when we did so well last year?
Coach Walker: We haven't executed as well as we'd like. Honestly it's been a little disappointing to me. We've worked hard this week to tighten that up, we still feel like Jason Wright and Jeff Backes can make some big plays. Hopefully in the next seven games, which are awfully important in the Big Ten, we can spring those guys loose.
