Northwestern University Athletics
Camp Kenosha: Day Eight
8/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 15, 2003
KENOSHA, Wis. - Day eight -- or more importantly, Day One B.S. (Before Scrimmage). The Wildcats were in shorts this morning and tuned up in preparation for Saturday's scrimmage, which will take place at Carthage College, just down Highway E from training camp at Wisconsin-Parkside.
The end of practice was highlighted by the "Four-Minute Drill," as Head Coach Randy Walker gave the respective offenses and defenses situations inside of four minutes and had them play it as they would a real game. For example, the first offense took on the second defense with a five-point lead, needing to get a few first downs to run out the clock, and worked on making that happen.
Saturday's scrimmage will take place at approximately 11 a.m. and last for about two hours. According to Walker, the scrimmage will serve a purpose on numerous levels.
"Unlike some years -- especially last year -- we have a whole lot more experience and starters returning; there is a certain knowledge and expectation from some of those front-line guys. We know what guys like Jason Wright and the other starters can do. What I am really interested in are some of the younger guys who haven't had as much experience. Which of them are close to being ready to step up and play. So we are going to take a look at them. It won't be long -- it won't be a two-hour bludgeoning -- but it will be spirited. The emphasis as much as anything is to see which of the younger guys are ready to contribute more."
Following practice, NUsports.com took a few minutes with Wildcat defensive coordinator Greg Colby to get his take after the first week.
NUsports.com: What has been the biggest focus during this preseason?
Coach Colby: Getting the scheme in, teaching everything...we kind of overload them early on. We also have been working hard on tackling, getting off blocks and becoming a better tackling football team.
NUsports.com: There have been some injuries in the preseason, as there always are as the guys work their way into the season. Has that helped allow some of the younger, less experienced guys get their shot out there?
Coach Colby: We have had a good chance to see some of the younger players, and the second-teamers are getting a lot of work. That is going to help them down the road, because during the season they're going to need to be ready to play. The more experience they get now the better. That's the positive; the negative is that the first unit isn't getting the work we would like them to get. But we should be OK there."
NUsports.com: How is Pat Durr looking?
Coach Colby: He's looking good -- he's faster than he was before the injury. He was a little rusty at first, but that's understandable; he is getting more comfortable every day and he has been a good leader for us. He is a natural linebacker.
NUsports.com: It seems like there are a lot of guys heading into their second, third and even fourth year playing on this defense. How has that helped you in the last week as you guys get back on the field and prepare for the season?
Coach Colby: It is critical; it has been important since last January. They need to keep it up, keep bringing the young kids along with them and set the tone for the way we do things. They have done a pretty good job at that; there haven't been too many lapses in that.
NUsports.com: Any pleasant surprises so far?
Coach Colby: Individually, it has been pretty much what we expected. The guys had real good retention from last year, we were able to put in some things we had not done before. They are becoming more football knowledgeable, understanding situations and what needs to be done.
NUsports.com: You seemed to be working a bit today on situational stuff, both during pre-practice and again at the end of practice. Is that something you are spending more time on this year?
Coach Colby: We have always done it, but I think this year we are putting more emphasis on it. For example, we are grading our guys in terms of wins and losses in all the situations and talking about it, not just going through the reps in practice. It is something we can do, because they are older and we do not have to spend so much time working the scheme.
CAMP NOTES: Jason Wright will not participate in Saturday's scrimmage, and not due to an injury or a coaches' decision. The 2002 first-team Academic All-American is returning to Evanston Friday afternoon to prepare for an eight-hour MCAT exam on Saturday.
