Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Don Full Pads on Perfect Spring Day
4/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 5, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- A perfect spring day -- clear skies, light winds and temperatures in the 50s -- greeted the Wildcats as they wore their full pads for the first time this spring.
Saturday morning's session at NU's FieldTurf practice field concluded the first week of spring practice.
"We are certainly not a finished product yet, but I love our direction and where this football team is headed," said NU coach Pat Fitzgerald. "It's a long journey to Aug. 30 (season opener vs. Syracuse), but I'm encouraged with what I've seen after one week."
The first practice in pads, whether it's in the spring or in August, always is a memorable one for the players. Besides taking part in several periods of 11-on-11 team play, the Wildcats also competed in the "board drill" for one of Saturday's 20 practice periods.
After nearly 30 "bouts," the offense and defense ended up in a virtual tie for battles won. Wide receiver Eric Peterman (Sherman, Ill./Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) and tight end Brendan Mitchell (Twinsburg, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) were two of the stars on offense while defensive end Vince Browne (Lisbon, Ohio/David Anderson) and John Gill (Los Altos Hills, Calif./Bellarmine Prep) starred for the defense.
Gill is one of four returning starters while Browne is an up-and-coming redshirt freshman on Long's defensive line that has plenty of experience heading into 2008.
After practice, Long talked to NUsports.com about the progress of his unit this spring. He discussed what attracted him to Northwestern, his coaching philosophy, what he has stressed to his players through the first week of practice and other topics.
Watch Coach Long's interview with NUsports.com
PRACTICE NOTES:
• A large throng of guests were on hand to watch the Wildcats practice on Saturday. Two former Wildcats, superback Nathan Shanks and asst. director of football operations Jamie Walker, were on hand as well.
• Northwestern has a couple days off before returning to practice at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
