Northwestern University Athletics
Coach Walker Q&A
10/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 22, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a one-week break, we're back with another Wednesday edition of 'Ask Coach Walker.'
Don't forget, you can ask Coach Walker a question by clicking on 'Ask Coach Walker' on the right column of the NUsports.com home page. Fill out the form below and press send, then check back every Wednesday to see if Coach Walker has answered your question.
Here are today's inquiries:
Todd from Mundelein, Ill.: I liked the play calling on Saturday against Indiana; however, I'm curious why we run the option? It seems like we get nothing or a loss out of it just about every time.
Coach Walker: We have not run it all that much; in fact, not a lot lately. Still, it continues to be a play we would like to run. It is a play we have had success with, out of the spread offense, in the past. For us to be the offense we need to be, I think it is important we at least carry some aspect of option football.
David from Chicago: How positive was it for the team to not have any turnovers in the Indiana contest? Coach Walker: The turnover ratio is the best correlation to victory. When we win the turnover ratio, we give ourselves a great chance for success. As evidence, we scored off both of Indiana's turnovers, which obviously were a big aspect in helping us win the game.
Greg from Chicago: With the departure of Pat Durr after the season, do you foresee Tim McGarigle taking over the middle linebacker position?
Coach Walker: We will evaluate at the end of the season where we go from here. There are some very qualified contenders, like Tim, to replace Pat, as we have many quality linebackers in our program.
Carl from Evanston, Ill.: It seems likes every time Brandon Horn touches the ball, a big-time play follows. Are we going to see him on the field more often during the rest of the season?
Coach Walker: Brandon has made some big plays, but he needs to be a more complete football player, and that includes blocking and executing. When those things catch up to his pass-receiving skills, he will probably be an all-the-time player for us.
Jonathan from Palmdale, Calif.: What is causing the second-half breakdowns? How is it that we can come out so strong in the first half, then collapse?
Coach Walker: We are concerned about our performance in the second half. We have not seen anything unusual out of our opponents, so it is not like we are getting surprised. We have taken some steps in the last couple of weeks to try to get the correct response to certain situations as we begin play in the second half. The last five games of the season will show a better second-half football team.
Edward from Evanston, Ill.: The no-huddle offense is exciting, but I don't recall you using it this year. Will we see more of it?
Coach Walker: We have stepped up work on the no-huddle offense this year. For a lot of reasons we have not gone to it this year, but I think in the last five games of the season we will see more of it. The no-huddle offense will be something we go to now and then, but not all the time.
Kevin from Highland Park, Ill.: I noticed that we threw the ball downfield twice in the Indiana game, and both times we completed them. Will we be seeing more of the offense taking chances downfield to mix it up?
Coach Walker: Most of our passing game has down-the-field aspects to it. As always, our quarterbacks are coached to take the best choice. We are going to continue to take shots down the field, and hopefully we will be able to make some big plays against Wisconsin.
Brian from Evanston, Ill.: I've been watching mostly every game so far, and there hasn't been any trickery. In the upcoming games, can we expect to see any of that?
Coach Walker: We've run at least a reverse in every game. As far as real craziness, we have not resorted to a lot of it. There have been, however, some things in every offensive game plan to take advantage of overplay by the opposing defense.
