Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Holds Spring Practice No. 10
4/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 16, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- With another scrimmage looming this Saturday, Northwestern shed its shoulder pads Wednesday morning for a shorter 17-period practice.
Practicing under sunny skies once again, and warmer temperatures, the Wildcats had to endure windier conditions on Wednesday.
"I love practicing outside, especially in the spring, as we get to work in the conditions that we ultimately play in during the fall," said NU head coach Pat Fitzgerald. "Practicing in windy conditions is a great learning tool for our kickers, as well our quarterbacks and receivers."
With a bevy of experience returning at Northwestern's offensive skill positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, superback/tight end), the Wildcats' biggest off-season question remains the offensive line. Three starters graduated from last year's unit, which helped the Wildcats to a No. 1 regular-season Big Ten ranking in total offense.
One of the Wildcats' two returning players up front is junior tackle Kurt Mattes, who started all 12 games at right tackle and earned the team's NGN Newcomer of the Year Award on offense. He was named the team's offensive player of the game for his performance against Ohio State.
After Wednesday's practice, NUsports.com caught up with Mattes to get his thoughts on how this year's offensive line is coming together.
Watch Mattes' interview with NUsports.com
PRACTICE NOTES:
• Northwestern's annual Spring Game, scheduled for noon on Saturday, April 26 at Ryan Field, is going to be broadcast online (weather permitting) at www.wgnradio.com. Handling the broadcast will be WGN sports director Dave Eanet and long-time NU football analyst Ted Albrecht. Earlier this month, the Wildcats announced that the Big Ten Network would stream the game live at www.bigtennetwork.com and on NUsports.com.
• Former NU linebacker and current St. Louis Ram Tim McGarigle is being inducted into Chicago's Saint Patrick High School Shamrock Hall of Fame on Friday, April 25, 2008. Tickets to the ceremony, which cover valet parking, dinner and two hours of open bar, are $55 and can be purchased by calling Brian Glorioso at 773-282-8844, ext. 235, or emailing him at bglorioso@stpatrick.org.
