Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Wind Down Camp With Annual Preseason Scrimmage
8/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 2005
KENOSHA, Wis. -- Youth was on display in many areas Saturday at Northwestern's annual preseason scrimmage, held at Carthage College, close to UW-Parkside, the home of the Wildcats' annual August camp.
The steamy noon-time scrimmage provided the first taste of college football for several underclassmen -- many of whom could play key roles for the Wildcats this fall.
"The young guys are taking a lot of snaps that they might not usually get," senior defensive tackle Barry Cofield (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) said. "The learning curve is increasing rapidly and they are making strides. For an old guy like me, it's rejuvenation. Seeing those kids, the looks on their faces, it's priceless."
Sophomore running back Brandon Roberson (Pearland, Texas/Pearland) led the youth movement, carrying the ball 11 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
"(Running backs) Coach Kevin Johns sat down with me and told me I had to be ready to go," Roberson said. "I'm confident in what I've done today. All I can do is keep learning and keep winning Coach Walker's trust."
Walker's trust certainly appears to be in the legs of his young running backs. He said Roberson, along with freshman Tyrell Sutton and Omar Conteh, will all see playing time this season, with the opener set for Sept. 3 against Ohio.
"Tyrell and Omar showed great talent today," Walker said. "I continue to be real pleased and impressed. In spring ball, I knew Brandon was going to be a good player, but the two young guys are also as billed. I think they are all going to contribute a lot this season."
On special teams, junior Joel Howells (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) knocked a 50-yard field goal straight through the uprights. Not to be outdone, senior Mark Philmore (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Reynoldsburg) highlighted the return teams, returning a punt 68 yards.
In limited action on offense, Philmore took a short pass from senior quarterback Brett Basanez (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator) and cut completely across the field for a 38-yard completion.
Basanez went on to finish 10-of-12 for 141 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three carries for 24 yards. Second stringer C.J. Bacher (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit) completed 12-of-20 passes for 115 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
"Brett Basanez is everything I thought he was going to be," Walker said. "I think he is going to be a special player."
With the Wildcats' entire starting linebacker contingent sitting out, the defense was not playing at the level it needs to be at in two weeks.
"The defense is a little depleted," Walker said. "We need to get our front-line guys back, and our first line of linebackers healthy. I think they should be back rolling next week but we missed them in there today."
Northwestern's defense did force two turnovers, with linebacker Kyle Wagner (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School) making an interception and Cofield recovering a fumble.
CAMP NOTES
Walker announced Saturday that starting safety Bryan Heinz (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch) would miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury in practice Friday. Heinz's MRI showed a torn ACL ... With the loss of Heinz, NU will have a new starter at every position in the secondary this year. The Wildcats, of course, have Marquice Cole and Herschel Henderson back -- two players who have started a number of games throughout their career.
