Northwestern University Athletics
Camp Kenosha: Day Six
8/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2003
KENOSHA, Wis. - With the grass still wet from the night before, NU began day six of Camp Kenosha with the same vigor and attitude that has become a custom at every practice. Today had a little twist, however, as NU brought in officials to oversee the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
With an 8 a.m. start time for the morning practice, things started a little slow. Neither the offense nor defense seemed to click on all cylinders. But like good teams do, the 'Cats bounced back and turned in solid performances on both sides of the ball.
One performer, wide receiver Ashton Aikens, had a stellar practice catching an 11-yard TD pass during 11-on-11 drills. Aikens, a junior from Detroit, Mich., is poised to have a breakout year for NU.
NUsports.com caught up with Ashton after the morning practice to see how things were progressing.
NUsports.com: You were recruited as a tailback out of high school and then moved to wide receiver when you got to Northwestern. What has been the biggest adjustment?
Aikens: "The biggest adjustment is I used to be a running back, now I'm a receiver. Most of all it's the speed. It's a different game on this level and now that I have a couple years under my belt and have had a lot of people to watch and learn from, I'd say I've adjusted pretty well."
NUsports.com: There are 17 wide receivers listed on NU's current roster, how have the wide receivers, as a group, progressed in the first six days of Kenosha?
Aikens: "Right now everyone is trying to learn the offense. The older guys have a good handle of things from the spring so there doing a good job of bringing the younger guys along, keeping everyone on the same page and on a productive pace."
NUsports.com: What is the best part about being up at Camp Kenosha?
Aikens: "Catching TD's!!"
NUsports.com: As an offensive player, who is the best defensive back you've faced in practice?
Aikens: "I don't know -- they all do different things well. I just try and go out and do my best, no matter who is lined up against me. They all make me work, that's the most important thing."
