Northwestern University Athletics
Camp Kenosha Day Two; Howard Questionable for 2005 Season
8/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2005
KENOSHA, Wis. -- After four days in shorts, things got a little more physical for Northwestern's football team Friday at Camp Kenosha. The Wildcats strapped on the full gear for the first time this season for the three-hour practice session.
"Today was a good day for our first practice in full pads," said senior linebacker Tim McGarigle. "I thought we (the defense) did a good job of flying to the ball, but we have a lot of work to do before we start playing games."
"It was a warm, humid day," stated senior defensive lineman Barry Cofield. "It's a change from what we've been used to the last four days, but I'm real excited about it (being in full pads), that's how football is played."
After losing running back Terrell Jordan for an indefinite period due to a hamstring injury Thursday, there was another obvious player absence Friday: senior defensive end Loren Howard. Howard is suffering from ongoing tendinitis in his right leg and will be out indefinitely, perhaps the entire 2005 season.
"We all thought that Loren was ready to go physically, but after a few days of practice, that is not the case," said head coach Randy Walker. "He is going to take a few days to figure what direction to take -- whether that involves surgery remains to be seen. A couple days into practice it was obvious that Loren, when taking on a 300-pound offensive lineman, was not the same player he was two years ago."
NU's first game is Sept. 3 vs. Ohio University at Ryan Field in Evanston.
Camp Notes
* The Wildcats received a brief scare when linebacker Eddie Simpson sustained an apparent neck injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit during Friday's practice. The Northwestern sports medicine staff treated Simpson before he was taken to a nearby hospital for X-rays. Simpson's tests came back negative and he returned to camp later in the afternoon. Simpson was diagnosed with a neck strain and is expected to return to practice next week.
* There was an extremely spirited "board drill" during today's first full-pads practice. Freshman defensive end Corey Wootton was one of NU's newcomers who scored an impressive victory.
* Senior defensive back Marquice Cole notched two pass breakups vs. the No. 1 offense.
* Freshman tailback Tyrell Sutton broke off a 25-yard run vs. the No. 2 defense.
* Freshman Kevin Frymire caught a 20-yard pass from redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Bachér.
* Northwestern holds its first two-a-day practice session Saturday, with practices scheduled for 8 a.m. (8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and 4:45 p.m. (4:45 to 6:45 p.m.)
