Northwestern University Athletics
Outback Bowl Report: Sunday, Dec. 27
12/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 27, 2009
Dec. 27 Outback Bowl Practice Photo Gallery
St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Visit Photo Gallery
TAMPA, Fla. -- Northwestern held its first Florida practice Sunday at Tampa Jesuit High School within sight of Raymond James Stadium, site of the 2010 Outback Bowl pitting the Wildcats against the Tigers of Auburn at 10 a.m. CT on ESPN.
NU canceled a light workout slated for Saturday after travel difficulties resulted in a late arrival for Northwestern's plane in Tampa. About half of the team took the charter while the other half flew in from their homes around the country following a break for the Christmas holiday. Despite massive snow storms around the country, every Wildcat made it to Tampa on time save for one, who arrived Sunday morning.
Both teams enjoyed an all-you-can-eat meal at the Outback Bowl welcome dinner Saturday night provided by the bowl's title sponsor.
On Sunday, the Wildcats got down to business with their first practice held at the alma mater of true freshman John Plasencia and NU Rose Bowl veteran and current Big Ten Network analyst Chris Martin. A light rain and cool temperatures made it a perfect morning for an intense workout, which is exactly what Northwestern had. Afterward, Outback catering was on-hand to provide a post-practice meal. For a photo gallery of the day's practice, click on the link at the top of this page.
Eight Wildcats and head coach Pat Fitzgerald joined five Auburn Tigers and their head coach Gene Chizik at St. Joseph Children's Hospital for a hospital visit Sunday afternoon, saying hello to the kids and giving them autographed Outback Bowl memorabilia. A photo gallery of that excursion is also at the top of this page.
Following a night off in Tampa, Northwestern gets right back to work with its second Florida practice on Monday morning followed by Busch Gardens in the afternoon.
