Northwestern University Athletics
Day Five in Kenosha
8/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 15, 2007
KENOSHA, Wis. -- Light rain fell for most of the morning practice in Kenosha, but that didn't hinder the 'Cats efforts as they prepare for Saturday's 3 p.m. scrimmage at Carthage College. The team displayed a high level of energy throughout the morning session, much to the liking of head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
"We came out with a focus to get better as a football team," Fitzgerald said. "Not everything was perfect, but I liked the energy and enthusiasm the guys showed this morning."
The practice ended with the annual watermelon eating contest, won this year by offensive lineman representative Keegan Grant.
The evening practice moved back to Carthage where the 'Cats practiced under the lights for an hour and a half in shells. Afterwards NUsports.com caught up with senior offensive lineman Dylan Thiry to ask him a few questions.
NUsports.com: What's with the constant yelling during practice?
Thiry: Someone's got to do it. I've always been that guy to get the noise going, get the juices flowing in practice.
NUsports.com: Talk about the leadership you provide as a fifth-year senior and the difference to when you were younger.
Thiry: You come in and learn. You've got to look to the upperclassmen and learn and know when to lead by example and bring someone with you. It's a fine line. But once you can lead yourself, you can bring someone with you. So definitely becoming a leader myself, doing the
things right, doing the things the coaches expect, I can be a leader to others.
NUsports.com: What do you think about being a preseason All-Big Ten selection (by CollegeFootballNews.com)?
Thiry: I didn't even know that, but that's good. Hopefully I can end the season being All-Big Ten and hopefully All-American.
NUsports.com: What do you think about how your high school teammate, (Louisville quarterback) Brian Brohm is doing right now?
Thiry: He's a great player. He was a great player in high school. He's a workaholic and is dedicated in the film room to learning everything he can and he's doing well down in Louisville. I wish him the best of luck this season.
NUsports.com: What's your favorite part of Camp Kenosha?
Thiry: Believe it or not, two-a-days. We get after it in the morning and give it another go later. I like two-a-days. There are sometimes we don't condition, so it's good.
NUsports.com: What are your thoughts on the offensive linemen winning the annual watermelon eating contest?
Thiry: Critical. It was iffy with the linebackers and the specialists, but Keegan Grant came through and got us the win.
NUsports.com: What have you been working on the most during camp?
Thiry: Fundamentals. The first step, getting the second step in, pre-snap reads, making sure the whole line sees it. We've got a lot of young guys rotating in. Hopefully we can get some more looks as camp goes in. As we start scrimmaging and going live, we go at full speed, so
it'll be good.
NUsports.com: What should Northwestern fans expect from this team?
Thiry: Big things.
MULTIMEDIA: NUsports.com had the chance to film an inside look into the Wildcats' practices at Camp Kenosha. NUsports.com was on the practice field, in the training room and inside a Wildcat position meeting. to watch the video.
REMINDER: The Wildcats wind down their preseason practices with a scrimmage at Carthage College at 3 p.m. this Saturday. The best part? It's totally free! Arrive early to receive Wildcat goodies and enter to win tickets to Wildcat home games. Stick around after the game to meet the team and talk with head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Catch the Wildcats before they leave Kenosha by stopping by their scrimmage at 3 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 18, at Carthage College in Kenosha on Sheridan Road. For more information e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu ... Saturday's extended forecast calls for some fall-like weather -- temps in the mid-60s with cloudy conditions and a chance of showers. Bring your umbrella and sweatshirts! ... Purchase your 2007 NU football media guide online, or at Saturday's scrimmage. Guides are being sold for $10 at the scrimmage or Meet the Team Night (Aug. 25). If you purchase a guide online, or through NU's ticket office, a $5 shipping fee is added.
