Northwestern University Athletics
Scrimmage Highlights Seventh Spring Session
4/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 12, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern continued spring practice Saturday in Trienens Hall with an intense session highlighted by a series of 40 live 11-on-11 plays. The defense limited the offense and delivered several big plays, including a pair of blocked kicks. Sophomore cornerback Marquice Cole (Hazel Crest, Ill./Hillcrest) batted down an extra point attempt, while defensive linemen Barry Cofield (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) and Loren Howard (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) each got a hand in to block a field goal attempt.
As part of its continuing position-by-position look into the 2003 'Cats, NUSports.com chatted with tight ends coach Jack Glowik and senior Ray Bogenrief (Cedarburg, Wis./Marquette). Bogenrief, currently listed first on the depth chart at tight end, played defensive line during his first three seasons at NU, but moved over to offense prior to the start of the spring practice season. He was an all-state tight end in high school.
Tight Ends/H-backs Coach Jack Glowik
NUSports.com: What does Ray Bogenrief bring to the unit?
Jack Glowik: He understands what we are trying to get done and he brings that to the offense. Plus, he helps us a lot as a blocker. The basics of the (tight end) position are the same as on the defensive line, and he did them well on defense. Now he just has to stay on blocks, which he does a nice job of. I like his progress.
NUSports.com: What is your main focus when coaching such an inexperienced group?
JG: My job is to find out on what they do best and maximize that. We also need to focus on our weaknesses in order to get better overall. We need to see an increased contribution from the position overall.
NUSports.com: How can the group increase its contribution on the field?
JG: I tell the guys that if a tight end has 40 catches in a year, that means he's averaging about four a game. But if we run about 85 plays a game, what's he doing the other 81 plays? You better focus on blocking. That's our meat and potatoes. We want to help our running back get another 1,000-yard season and help Brett and our quarterbacks throw for another two or three thousand yards.
Senior tight end Ray Bogenrief
NUSports.com: You caught a few passes today, but you let one slip through your hands during the scrimmage. What happened?
Ray Bogenrief: I was hoping you wouldn't bring that up. I can't make any excuses, but I will say that I still get a little excited every time I get a ball thrown to me in live action. It doesn't happen too often. Being an old defensive lineman, it is pretty exciting just to touch a ball.
NUSports.com: How did you feel about being switched to the offensive side of the ball?
RB: The coaching staff had talked about it last year, but it would have been really tough to pick up our complex offense during the season. But I've always felt more comfortable (at tight end), and it was a natural transition. I was glad to make the switch, especially because we had a void at the position.
NUSports.com: What are the unit's goals for the season?
RB: We want to run a tight end as much as possible. Generally when you're running with the tight end you're running it right up the gut, and when you're running successfully it's good news.
NUSports.com: How does your experience as a defensive lineman help you as a tight end? And how do you get along with the defensive line now that you are on the other side of the trenches?
RB: When I'm playing tight end, I try to think of the things I hated most when they happened to me on defense. I try to get as low as I can to get leverage, because defensive players tend to be up in the air looking for the ball. It's a great feeling to get one of my old linemates down on the ground. I got Loren Howard good today. But when they get by me for a sack, it's their turn.
Session Seven Notes
NU's passing game clicked at times during live action. Wide receiver Shaun Herbert (Oxen Hill, Md./Bishop McNamara) hauled in four catches for almost 50 yards ... Linebacker Demetrius Eaton notched both a fumble recovery and an interception on the day ... Junior running back Noah Herron (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) ripped off a 10-yard run on a third-and-2 play, just one play after Cofield brought him down for a loss with a tremendous hit ... More than 100 coaches, mostly from the high school level, attended NU's 2003 Spring Coaches Clinic Saturday. The clinic featured drill demonstrations in the morning and guest speakers in the afternoon. The coaches also attended Saturday's practice ... NU's next spring practice will be Tuesday, April 15 at Trienens Hall. The 'Cats will also work out Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18.
