Northwestern University Athletics
Spirited Scrimmage Highlights Midway Point of Spring Practice
4/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 9, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Prior to the start of spring practice, Randy Walker stated that the Wildcats' passing game could be a strength in 2005. Following a 79-play scrimmage on Saturday at NU's outdoor practice field, that forecast looks like it will hold up.
Northwestern's first- and second-string offenses completed a combined 27-of-42 passes (64.3 percent) for 245 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Fourth-year starting quarterback Brett Basanez (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator) was 11-of-22 passing for 124 yards while redshirt freshman C.J. Bacher (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit) completed 16-of-20 for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"I like what I see," said Walker. "I think we are working hard and that we are going to be alright. Our offense is making some strides."
The Wildcats also received a strong running performance from sophomore Brandon Roberson (Pearland, Texas/Pearland), who gained 47 yards and one TD on eight carries (5.9 ypc). He also caught a pair of passes for 22 yards.
"Brandon played well today," said Walker. "He has had an impressive spring and we are excited about where he is at. We like his vision and productivity. He is not going to move the pile two yards, but he's got a burst of power."
Northwestern also received 24 yards (seven carries) from Akeem Hunter (Chicago, Ill./Leo), 20 (six carries) from Gerard Hamlett (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) and 18 (six carries) from Chris Malleo (Wall Township, N.J./The Hun School). Senior Terrell Jordan (Clarkston, Ga./Tucker) missed the scrimmage with a leg injury.
Defensively, several starters (Tim McGarigle, Loren Howard, Nick Roach, Jeff Backes, Herschel Henderson) did not play due to injuries. Despite playing without some of their top players, the Wildcats did come up with defensive stops on seven of the 12 offensive series. In one series, Eddie Simpson (Houston, Texas/North Shore) and Marquice Cole (Hazel Crest, Ill./Hillcrest) both notched impressive pass breakups.
"With the injury situation on that side of the ball, we're getting to take a long, hard look at several young players right now," said Walker. "We anticipate that all the guys who are sitting out right now, will be ready to go in August."
Joseph Ferguson (Overland Park, Kan./Pembroke Hill) led the receiving corps with seven catches for 47 yards, which included a 9-yard TD grab. Tight end Frayne Abernathy (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta) had three catches for 44 yards. One of his receptions -- a 19-yarder -- went for a TD.
Place-kicker Joel Howells (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) was perfect on his PAT and field goal attempts.
Approximately 300 area coaches, most of them from the high school ranks, attended a clinic prior to the start of the scrimmage in Trienens Hall.
PRACTICE NOTES
Saturday's scrimmage marked the Wildcats' eighth practice of its' 15-session spring season. This week, Northwestern conducts practices on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (Friday's practice is closed to the media.) ... NU's annual Spring Game, presented by Yellow Book USA, is slated for noon on Saturday, April 23. A tailgate will be held in the West parking lot for all NU football letterwinners.
