Northwestern University Athletics
Coach Walker Q&A
10/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -- 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:
David from Chicago: Now that the Wildcats have won two games in a row, how do you get the team motivated for the next game?
Coach Walker: Well, nothing is better than winning. Obviously, I think we have improved the way we play fundamentally. The key is to take it one week at a time and continue to get better. Good football teams improve every week of the year and all season.
John from Rochester, N.Y.: Are you concerned with the wide receiver position after the injuries to Ashton Aikens and Mark Philmore? Also, what are you thoughts on using redshirt freshmen and bringing back Jeff Backes to the wideout position?
Coach Walker: Obviously we are concerned about our depth at the receiver spot, those two guys are huge loses and two of our best football players. It is going to require the rest of the wide receiver corps to step up and play well, but I believe those kids are ready to take that step and I believe that we will play well in the passing game in the upcoming weeks. And, as of today there are no plans to see Jeff Backes at the receiver spot.
Mark from Chicago: Great defensive intensity last week! Why do you continue holding the offense on the field on fourth down, and then have the punting team sprint onto the field when it is obvious to everyone that we are punting?
Coach Walker: Well, there are a few reasons, Mark. First, the referee has not put the 25-second clock in play. The biggest reason, however, is that I don't want our punt team out on the field sitting over the ball for an extended period of time. Usually, once the official starts the 25-second clock we send them out and punt thereafter.
Ken from Highland Park, Ill.: What is the kicking situation? Will Brian Huffman continue as your place-kicker?
Coach Walker: At this time Slade Larscheid is still working his way back, he has kicked some this week. But, we will go into the Purdue game with Brian Huffman doing the place-kicking.
Tyler from Barrington, Ill.: What's the outlook for making a bowl game?
Coach Walker: Honestly, I have been asked that question a lot lately. But, right now that is not the most important thing on our agenda. What is important that we play our best at Purdue and continue to get better as the season goes on.
Sean from Chicago: What's your answer to Purdue's 'basketball on grass'? And, do you have any more of the fastball plays up your sleeve?
Coach Walker: Well, first and foremost, Purdue is a complete football team. They do as good a job running the football as anyone we will face this season. They rush and pass well. Hopefully we can make a couple big plays on defense, like the fastball play from last week.
John from Chicago: Your team's defense seems to be have trouble when they face a team with a good passing game. What special prep work are you doing to prepare for Purdue's passing game?
Coach Walker: Well, we are going to try and do a number of things. Obviously, the most effective thing will be to get a good pass rush. Secondly, we are going to try and mix coverages, change looks and not give them anything they can hang their hat on. If we can do that were going to have a chance to defend their very powerful offense.
Brian from Arlington Heights, Ill.: At the end of the Wisconsin game, why didn't you attempt a field goal instead of running on fourth down and giving them the ball back?
Coach Walker: We gave the ball back to Wisconsin with less than 30 seconds left in the game, inside the 10-yard line with no timeouts. There was a much greater chance of them scoring off a blocked field goal than scoring from scrimmage with that amount of time left in the game. The risk wasn't worth it.
Jeff from La Crosse, Wis.: So far, how effective do you think the spread offense has been overall? Obviously, it's let Jason Wright run rampant, but Brett Basanez has only three TDss compared to nine interceptions. Are you planning to change anything about the air game?
Coach Walker: Jeff, the first thing we are trying to do is execute better. The running game has been productive and we are trying to get the passing game to the same level. You saw in 2000 how successful it can be, leading us to a Big Ten championship. Now, we just need to put it all together, and when we do that, I think we can be a very successful offense.
