Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Set for Saturday's Spring Game
4/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 24, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After 14 spring practices, Northwestern is ready to unveil its new offense and defense -- or at least parts of it -- to its fans on Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field.
The Wildcats wrapped up their 14th practice session Thursday morning, going through 19 periods in full pads. Northwestern's 15th and final spring practice is Saturday's scrimmage in Ryan Field. After several warm-up periods, the actual scrimmage will get underway at approximately 12:35 p.m.
Click here for all the details on Saturday's events.
The Wildcats have made steady progress throughout the spring, and with new coordinators running both the offense and defense, NU players have had to learn and absorb more than some other springs.
Offensively, head coach Pat Fitzgerald and first-year coordinator Mick McCall have repeated more than once that the Wildcats plan to improve their rushing attack, which ranked 97th nationally and last in the Big Ten. But don't forget about the Wildcat passing game, as NU returns three experienced senior wide receivers -- Ross Lane (Ft. Myers, Fla./Bishop Verot), Eric Peterman (Sherman, Ill./Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) and Rasheed Ward (Chicago, Ill./Harper). The trio has combined for 279 receptions, 3,447 yards and 17 TD's.
The class of senior wide receivers is even more impressive when you throw in Tyrell Sutton's career receiving numbers (114 receptions for 939 yards, 4 TD's). Needless to say, the Wildcats' aerial game is in great shape heading into 2008.
After Thursday's practice, NUsports.com talked with the 'Cats' three senior receivers about the new offense, Coach McCall, and of course, Eric Peterman's spring blog!
Watch the interview on NUsports.com
PRACTICE NOTES:
• The Wildcats will be thinking about linebacker Chris Jeske (Yorkville, Ill./Joliet Catholic) on Friday as he undergoes surgery on his knee after injuring it in practice last week. Unfortunately for Jeske and the Wildcats, he has been riddled with injuries (back, knee) throughout his NU career. We wish Chris a speedy recovery!
• Friday morning, several members of the Wildcat football team will be collecting money for the annual Misericordia Candy Days at the corner of Chicago and Sheridan on the southeast edge of campus.
• Northwestern ended Thursday's practice with another Wildcat Games' contest. Each team competed in a dizzy bat race that ended with its final participant having to eat (and keep down) some hot dogs. Prince Kwateng's team, with Kevin Frymire anchoring the final leg, won Thursday's big prize.
