Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Wrap Up Third Week of Spring Practice
4/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 17, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill - For the second straight session, Northwestern scrimmaged in near-perfect conditions at Ryan Field Saturday, with temperatures in the high 60's and a light breeze off Lake Michigan.
With Terrell Jordan (Clarkston, Ga./Tucker) recovering from an ankle injury and Noah Herron (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) not participating in Saturday's scrimmage, Northwestern's gridders concentrated their offensive efforts on the passing attack. Head coach Randy Walker gave the majority of the repetitions to NU's backups, with many of the starters seeing limited action.
"I want to see some two's play," Walker said. "I want to find out who can contribute on a daily basis. We've lost some key contributors, which gives other guys a chance to step up and make a statement."
Walker also believes that focusing on the passing game is what NU needs to do to become a better offensive football team.
"I haven't said it many times in my life," Walker said, "but I told the kids at last Thursday's practice that I wanted an empty backfield and the ball thrown on every play. It's what we need to get good at and improve upon every time we step out on the field."
One player that made a statement in Saturday's scrimmage was redshirt freshman wide receiver Kim Thompson (Inkster, Mich./Detroit Country Day). Thompson led all NU receivers with 54 yards on 7 catches, including a nice 20-yard touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone.
"I think I can help out our team by stretching the field deep," Thompson said. "Aided by my size, I believe I can string out the defense by being a long-ball threat."
With Brett Basanez seeing limited snaps, redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Malleo (Wall Township, N.J./Wall Township/The Hun School of Princeton) was given a chance to display his passing abilities Saturday. Malleo completed 14 of 21 passes for 79 yards, including the Thompson touchdown pass.
"This spring has really given me a chance to develop my quarterbacking skills with our offense," Malleo said. "With the more time I spend studying film and practicing, I am becoming better and better every day."
Northwestern did rush the football, as Nathan Shanks (Taylorville, Ill./Taylorville), the Wildcats' only available running back, totaled 64 yards on 16 carries.
The defensive play-of-the day came when redshirt freshman safety Reggie McPherson (San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro) stepped in front of a Malleo pass and returned the ball 30 yards to the opposing 9-yard line. McPherson is vying for playing time for a safety position that is marked with experience and talent in Bryan Heinz (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch), Dominique Price (Louisville, Ky./DuPont Manual), Herschel Henderson (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) and Derell Jenkins (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook).
The 'Cats will return to NU's outdoor practice fields Tuesday, with practice slated to begin at 4 p.m. Practices will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Scrimmage Leaders
PASSING -- Malleo, Chris 14-21-79,1 TD,1 INT; Basanez, Brett 8-12-60.
RUSHING -- Shanks, Nathan 16-64; Basanez, Brett 2-7.
RECEIVING -- Thompson, Kim 7-54,1 TD; Bass, Frank 3-25.
