Northwestern University Athletics
Coach Walker Q&A Answers After Wednesday Practice
9/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 24, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - With NU traveling to Ohio Stadium this weekend to play defending national champion Ohio State, NUsports.com asked you, the fans, if you had any questions for head coach Randy Walker about the season or individual players themselves. Here are a handful of questions from around the country.
NUsports.com would like to thank everyone for submitting questions. We look forward to posting Coach Walker's answers every Wednesday evening after practice.
Jeff from Arlington Heights, Ill.,
Coach, I would love to see Noah Herron and Jason Wright in the backfield at the same time. Can we expect more of that?
Coach Walker: No question, Jeff, they have done everything we have asked and we have thought all along that our best 11 include those two guys. I think as the season rolls on, you'll see more and more of those two in the backfield.
Bob from Havertown, Pa.,
What is the injury status of Louis Ayeni and Marquice Cole for the Ohio State game?
Coach Walker: Bob, those two fellas will be evaluated day-to-day. Marquice has been cleared to play and has practiced all week. Louis has practiced this week and actually has been involved in contact drills but has not been cleared as of today and that decision will be made as the week goes, but were very hopeful he'll be able to come and contribute this week.
Bob: Also, could Joel Howells or Brian Huffman be used for field goal attempts?
Coach Walker: We feel Slade has had a great week of practice and while both those guys continue to work at that skill, Slade continues to be out best performer and we expect him to have a great day against the Buckeyes.
Mark from Evanston, Ill.,
Explain the self or reverse scouting (breaking down of your own game tapes) that you perform on a weekly basis to detect the offensive (and defensive) patterns/trends that you may have lapsed into from prior weeks?
Coach Walker: I think that computers have changed the game tremendously in the 28 years that I have been coaching. Self-scouting has become an important aspect that we look at very closely to see what our own tendencies are. Obviously, our opponents are doing the same thing, so we make every attempt to break those keys and make sure we don't get to heavy in certain areas.
LaJuanda from Southfield, Mich.,
I would like to know what role, impact or playing ability will redshirt freshman Kim Thompson, have on the Wildcats next season?
Coach Walker: Kim has been very impressive as a young player. Unfortunately he comes into a situation where there are some wide receivers that are very established. Kim displays great speed, eye-hand coordination, it will just be a matter of him becoming more refined in his route running and his ability to play and block in the wide receiver position.
Dale from Anchorage, Alaska,
Last year assistant head coach Jerry Brown brought in the game ball from NU's last win over Ohio State when he was on the team. Is anything special being done this year along that line to mentally prepare for the win that is due in the shoe?
Coach Walker: It's obviously a big game but we have tried very hard to approach this game like every other game. It's no different from any game we have already played or any game we have left on the schedule. It is a big game and were playing a great team, the defending national champions but we want our guys to trust how we play on an everyday, every game basis and we feel like three out of four games this year we played pretty hard and pretty well. Were going to take that same attitude, same mentality and the same readiness to play in Columbus this weekend.
John from Westchester, Ill.,
Bryan Heinz played safety as a first year walk-on the last two weeks. He seems to be making tackles and playing ahead of some other players. Any comments about him and the other safties?
Coach Walker: Bryan has has the good fortune of being in the program, this is his second year. We could tell a year ago that he had the tools to be a good football player. As preseason wore on it was obvious he deserved to be on the field. Were excited about the progress he is making and I think he has a bright future here.
Robert from Arlington Height, Ill.,
Trevor Rees got some playing time at center against Duke. How well did he play and is there any chance he'll be starting this year?
Coach Walker: Trevor continues to improve and grow as an offensive lineman. I think it's safe to say that we consider him one of out top seven offensive lineman and as a result should get significant playing time. We expect him to play a lot against the Buckeyes.
John from Petersburg, Va.,
Coach, good win at Duke. It seems that the offense has some problems this year with inconsistency. At times, they look fantastic and at others, they look completely out of sync. Even during the Duke game they looked great in the first quarter and out of whack in the second. What do you attribute this to?
Coach Walker: I think that is a fair observation. We have been inconsistent offensively, and I think it's a matter of jelling as an offense and coming together. That kind of thing takes time, and sometime that is a longer process than others. I am convinced that we will be a very good offense before the end of the season. Hopefully in Week 5, as we approach Ohio State, you will continue to see improvement in not only our offensive line but in our skill positions as well.
Sean from Novi, Mich.,
What do you think is the best aspect of the Ohio State football team?
Coach Walker: I think most undervalued aspect is their kicking game. They have always had a great kicking game and people tend to lose sight of that. In addition to that, they seem to find a way to win. No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the events, they find a way to win.
Joel from Indianapolis, Ind.,
It seems like your offensive line has really seesawed from week to week this year. One week Jason Wright goes for great yardage, and the next week Brett Basanez is getting shaken up. What things are the O-line boys working on to improve their consistency and overall performance before this week's Big Ten opener?
Coach Walker: We continue to work with each individual and work to try and find the best five. It's important to understand that while we have three returning veterans, we also have some new faces. That communication and ability to work together as a unit is a constant work in progress. So were hopeful as we continue to go through the season and we continue to come together more and more that we can become more consistent on the offensive line.
