Northwestern University Athletics
Purple Beats White 17-14 in Annual Spring Game
4/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 21, 2007
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern closed the spring season with its annual Spring Game Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field in front of 3,500 fans.
Playing the game on a near-perfect spring day -- sunny with light winds and temperatures approaching 70 degrees -- the Purple beat the White 17-14, with a field goal contest determining the winner after the teams were tied 14-14 at the end of four 15-minute quarters (running clock).
Junior Amado Villarreal (Englewood, Colo./Englewood) converted his 35-yard field goal attempt while redshirt freshman Stefan Demos (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon), who has been battling injuries most of the spring, missed his conversion. That gave the win to the Purple team, which was made up of mostly first-team players.
"First and foremost, we came out of the game injury free," said head coach Pat Fitzgerald. "We ran more plays today than we did in our last two Saturday scrimmages, so I'm happy we're healthy."
The first-string offense, which was led by junior quarterback C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit), scored on its opening drive, the only series that All-Big Ten running back Tyrell Sutton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) played. Sutton had 10 rushing yards on a pair of carries and one catch for 4 yards.
With the Purple on the White's 27-yard line, Bachér threw a ball toward the back of the end zone where sophomore Andrew Brewer (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks) made a spectacular diving catch for a touchdown. Brewer was banged up the play, suffering a stinger, and did not return.
The White evened the score at 7-7 when backup safety Akeem Hunter (Chicago, Ill./Leo), who missed the entire 2006 season with an injury, intercepted Bachér and returned it 30 yards for touchdown.
The White team took the lead on a 2-yard run by redshirt freshman Stephen Simmons (St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis University High). Then, late in the fourth quarter, Bachér directed the Purple down the field and he hit redshirt freshman Sidney Stewart (Farmington Hills, Mich./Farmington Harrison) for an 11-yard score to knot the game at 14-14. Villarreal booted both PAT's for Purple, while Demos had the two PAT's for White.
The Purple started a final drive deep in its own territory, but a Hail Mary pass by Bachér on the last play was intercepted by safety Reggie McPherson (San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro).
Instead of playing the customary college overtime periods, the two teams just kicked field goals to determine the winner.
Defensively, it was an impressive day for Northwestern, which continues to make gains with an improving defense. Although there were several key offensive players sitting out the game (coaches decisions or injuries), the defense, led by cornerback Deante Battle (Fayetteville, Ga./Starr's Mill) and linebacker Chris Jeske (Yorkville, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy), made some stellar plays.
Battle unleashed two big-time hits and had a pass breakup, while Jeske, who has missed the last two seasons with a back injury, broke up two passes and also forced a fumble.
Bachér finished the game by completing 22-of-39 passes for 219 yards, two TD's and two interceptions. Junior Eric Peterman (Sherman, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin), who played for both offensive units, finished with a game-high 10 receptions for 104 yards. Senior Brandon Roberson (Pearland, Texas/Pearland) led all rushers with 35 yards on 11 carries.
"We have a long way to go from an execution standpoint on both sides of the ball," said Fitzgerald. "But one thing that's in the right place is our attitude. We have a hungry football team, and I like that."
For Pat Fitzgerald's complete interview, check out the All-Access link:
Click Here to watch the interview on NUSports.com All-Access.
SPRING GAME NOTES:
• Sidney Stewart was the Wildcats' second-leading receiver with four catches for 41 yards and a TD.
• Northwestern's defense totaled four sacks and had eight pass deflections.
• Sophomore Mike Kafka (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) quarterbacked the second-string offense (vs. the number-one defense) and completed 9-of-17 passes for 88 yards.
• Northwestern's Ryan Field will be used to help film some scenes from the movie "The Express," which documents the life of former Syracuse star Ernie Davis. Ryan Field will be turned into Archibold Stadium, the former football home of the Orange.
SPRING GAME STATISTICS:
PASSING -- Bachér 22-39-219, 2 TD, 2 INT; Kafka 9-17-88, 0 TD; Mauro 2-4-7, 0 TD, Peterman 1-1-9.
RUSHING -- Roberson 11-35, Mauro 2-11, Sutton 2-10, Bachér 2-2, Simmons 6-1, 1 TD, Peterman 1-(10), Kafka 5-(14).
RECEIVING -- Peterman 10-104, Stewart 4-41, 1 TD, Jones 4-39, Simmons 4-38, Roberson 3-22, Frymire 3-20, Brewer 1-27, 1 TD, Bachér 1-9, Sutton 1-4.
