Northwestern University Athletics
`Cats Wrap Up First Week of Spring Ball
4/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 3, 2004
EVANSTON Ill. -- Northwestern's football team concluded its first week of spring football with another enthusiastic Saturday morning session. To begin practice, Joe Wohlscheid (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge) hyped up the 'Cats by doing his best impression of Hulk Hogan -- calling for both offense and defense to hoot and holler -- and then leading the team in a spirited batch of jumping jacks.
With one week of practice under its belts, NU coaches have seen many things that could be improved upon, but believe their players are showing great promise.
"We're still not where we need to be," says defensive coordinator Greg Colby, "but I know it's there, and we have the potential to be something special. The speed and the tempo need to pick up, but a lot of guys are showing flashes of what it takes to be a solid defensive player."
While it may be too early for him to complete a thorough evaluation, there have been a few select players that have stuck out in Colby's mind.
"Tim McGarigle (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick) is doing a good job, as he always does. John Pickens (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Ramapo) is having a really nice spring ball. We've moved Derell Jenkins (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) to safety and he's showing some real promising flashes there."
Offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar expressed feelings similar to Colby, believing that his players are still developing, but progressing in the right manner.
"We have a long way to go," Dunbar says, "but it's only the fourth day. The biggest thing that I'm pleased with is that every day we've gotten better, which is the main thing. We have a lot of work to do, but we're moving in the right direction, which is what the spring season is all about."
Weather permitting; the 'Cats will resume practice at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 6 on NU's outdoor practice fields.
Practice Four Notes
Junior offensive tackle Zach Strief (Milford, Ohio/Milford) and senior linebacker John Pickens will be guests on Chicagoland Television's Sports Page, which will air at 9 p.m. Saturday (April 3). Check with your local cable service provider if CLTV is offered in your area ... Players participated in the "board drill" for the second straight day, highlighted by a intense battle between sophomore defensive end Barry Cofield (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) and sophomore offensive lineman Rick McDole (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville). It appeared Cofield would take the match, until McDole lowered his center of gravity at the last second, driving Cofield to the opposite end of the plank for the victory ... 7-on-7 drills were highlighted by a Herschel Henderson (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) interception, which he returned 50 yards for a touchdown. The junior safety was hampered with a knee injury last year, but has come on strong, and has seen significant playing time this spring ... Later that day, in 11-on-11 drills, senior wide receiver Frank Bass (Minneapolis, Minn./Roosevelt) leaped high into the air, just out of the reach of sophomore cornerback Cory Dious (Atlanta, Ga./Mays, snagging down a Chris Malleo (Wall Township, N.J./Wall Township/The Hun School of Princeton) pass.
