Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Concludes Camp Kenosha with Intrasquad Scrimmage
8/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 18, 2006
KENOSHA, Wis. -- Northwestern closed its annual Camp Kenosha Friday afternoon with an intrasquad scrimmage at Carthage College, showing bright spots on both sides of the ball. On offense, all three Wildcat quarterback candidates led sustained drives, while the defense forced three turnovers and allowed just a pair of touchdowns in 15 series.
Just as the Wildcats took the field to begin warm-ups, a steady rain began to fall that grew heavier as the afternoon progressed. The lights at the Carthage College field were turned on to combat the overcast skies.
With freshman Mike Kafka (Oak Lawn, Ill./Chicago St. Rita) handling quarterback duties for the first two series, the offense marched 70 yards for a touchdown on the second drive of the game. Kafka completed passes of 21 yards to sophomore Omar Conteh (Cypress, Texas/Cy-Fair) and 29 yards to junior Kim Thompson (Inkster, Mich./Detroit Country Day). Conteh capped the drive with a 3-yard scoring run.
Freshman quarterback Andrew Brewer (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks) also engineered some impressive drives in the game. On the sixth series of the scrimmage, Brewer ran for five yards on the first play, then completed passes of 19 yards to sophomore Rasheed Ward (Chicago, Ill./Harper), eight yards to freshman Brendan Mitchell (Twinsburg, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) and a 33-yard touchdown strike to junior Sam Cheatham (San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro).
Later in the scrimmage, Kafka directed a 14-play, 58-yard drive that ended in a Joel Howells (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) 24-yard field goal. Kafka was 7-of-10 for 60 yards on the drive.
Brewer also put together a strong series late in the afternoon, going 7-of-8 for 56 yards during an 11-play, 58-yard drive that ended when the defense held on its own 32-yard line.
Kafka finished the afternoon 14-of-22 in the air for 160 yards and an interception. Brewer was 12-of-15 for 139 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Sophomore C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit) also had some impressive moments, most notably a 20-yard strike to Jeff Yarbrough (Richton Park, Ill./Rich South). Bachér ended the day 9-of-24 for 90 yards.
Defensively, junior Deante Battle (Fayetteville, Ga./Starr's Mill) made an interception of Brewer in the end zone. Freshman James Nussbaum (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) also grabbed a pick of his own off of Kafka. Senior Nick Roach (Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee Vincent) recovered a fumble to end the third drive of the day.
On the ground, Conteh saw the majority of the action, finishing with nine carries for 22 yards and a touchdown. Sixteen different Wildcats caught passes, with Sidney Stewart (Farmington Hills, Mich./Farmington Harrison) leading the way on six grabs for 55 yards.
CAT 'NIPS FROM THE FINAL SCRIMMAGE OF CAMP KENOSHA
• Sidney Stewart made a fingertip one-handed diving catch down the right sideline for a 24-yard gain from Kafka during the 13th drive.
• Kyle Daley boomed a 65-yard punt that went out of bounds at the 5-yard line.
• Howells handled placekicking duties, booting an extra point and two field goals (22, 24). Stefan Demos also converted an extra point attempt.
• Marquice Cole had a 51-yard punt return to the 13-yard line.
• Defensive end Corey Wootton had a big day, deflecting two passes and getting one sack.
STATISTICS
Passing
C.J. Bachér: 9-of-24 for 90 yards
Andrew Brewer: 12-of-15 for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception
Mike Kafka: 14-of-22 for 160 yards and one interception
Rushing
Omar Conteh: Nine carries for 22 yards and a touchdown
Nathan Shanks: Five carries for 13 yards
Stephen Simmons: Three carries for three yards
Mark Woodsum: One carry for two yards
Receiving
Sidney Stewart: Six catches for 55 yards
Rasheed Ward: Four catches for 50 yards
Stephen Simmons: Four catches for 45 yards
Jeff Yarbrough: Four catches for 41 yards
Eric Peterman: Three catches for 28 yards
Kevin Frymire: Three catches for 16 yards
Sam Cheatham: Two catches for 39 yards
Tonjua Jones: Two catches for 16 yards
Kim Thompson: One catch for 29 yards
Shaun Herbert: One catch for 25 yards
Omar Conteh: One catch for 21 yards
Brendan Mitchell: Once catch for eight yards
Nathan Shanks: One catch for six yards
Ross Lane: One catch for five yards
Lee Coleman: One catch for two yards
Rob Brown: Once catch for one yard.
Additional Audio from Camp Kenosha Scrimmage. NUsports.com spoke with Pat Fitzgerald, Mike Kafka, Deante Battle and Andrew Brewer. Click player or coach's name to hear their comments
Post game press conference with
talks about the advantages of having the scrimmage.
talks about the performance of the defense.
talks about the offense taking shots down the field in the scrimmage.
