Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Conducts Intense Practice
4/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 13, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Wildcats donned the pads once again for an intense practice out on NU's FieldTurf practice field. Afterwards, NUsports.com caught up with linebacker Nick Roach (Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee Lutheran).
NUsports.com: Your unit has been a little banged up this spring, but overall, how are the linebackers doing and what is the outlook for next season?
Roach: The injuries give the younger guys more reps, which is good for them. For me, it gets me back in the groove since being injured last season. All the other guys who are injured now will be getting back after spring ball is finished, and at that point, the young guys who are in now will have gotten a lot of reps.
NUsports.com: You cracked your sacrum on that big hit against Iowa quarterback Drew Tate last year and ended up playing the remainder of the season. Is there much pain associated with an injury like that?
Roach: There is pain from the scarring on the bone when it healed, but right now, it's just sore. It's nothing compared to what it was during the season. It's hard to ice an injury like that.
NUsports.com: Northwestern lost some great leaders from last year's bowl team. Who do you think is going to help lead this team throughout the summer and into the fall?
Roach: I have to step up. (Adam) Kadela (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), (Bryan) Heinz (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch) now being healthy will step up as well. (Kevin) Mims (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) will lead for the D-line and Marquice Cole (Hazel Crest, Ill./Hillcrest) will step it up in the secondary.
NUsports.com: How is the defensive line progressing this spring?
Roach: The D-line is like our linebackers group in that you have guys who don't have a lot of experience and they have been injured. But, we definitely see a lot of potential.
NUsports.com: What one or two aspects of your game are you trying to improve the most before next fall?
Roach: Right now, the biggest things is being more physical on blockers and making tackles. I need to be more punishing on the opposition. I'm also focusing on getting to know schemes so I can be a bigger factor in the secondary and trying to lead guys.
Practice Notes:
• Sophomore linebacker Malcolm Arrington (Rochester Hills, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep) provided the hit of the day when he put a crushing hit on running back Nathan Shanks (Taylorville, Ill./Taylorville).
• Part of Thursday's practice session included drills to help the Wildcats improve their interior rushing. Northwestern ran "Hamburger," a drill where an offensive and defensive lineman battle 1-on-1 while a skill player from the offense tries to get around the block. The 'Cats also ran "Interior," a drill that sends the running back up the gut while the O- and D-lines battle in the trenches.
• Northwestern will hold its second scrimmage of the season at 10 a.m. Saturday (April 15). The scrimmage is tentatively set to be held in Ryan Field (weather permitting). If the 'Cats are unable to scrimmage on their game field, they will scrimmage at 9 a.m. on the FieldTurf practice field.
