Northwestern University Athletics
Spring Practice: Day Six
4/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 7, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern hit the turf inside Trienens Hall once again on Tuesday for their sixth spring practice, a spirited 20-period session with the 'Cats remaining in full pads.
Although nearly all of NU's coaching staff remained intact following the 2008 season, one change came in the form of Bob Heffner, who takes over as Northwestern's new superbacks coach. Heffner, who spent the last eight seasons as the offensive coordinator at Lafayette, replaces former superbacks coach Adam Cushing, who made the shift to offensive line coach this season.
Superbacks play an integral role in Northwestern's offense year in and year out, and 2009 figures to be no exception. Although featured superback Drake Dunsmore is still recovering this spring from an injury suffered at the start of last season, players such as Josh Rooks, Mark Woodsum and Brendan Mitchell have become increasingly comfortable with how they are incorporated into the offensive gameplan.
"We had a lot of receivers graduate so we've been trying this spring to use players that have some experience," Rooks said after practice Tuesday. "You'll see guys in different positions getting spread out a little bit more. Coach Heffner and our guys have been growing together, he's been a great asset to our position group so far and spring practice has been a great experience for us."
The complete video interview with Josh Rooks is linked at the top of this page.
SPRING NOTES
Northwestern senior John Gill has spent much of his spring preparing for the NFL draft later this month but took time to chat with the NFL Draft Bible Web site about his aspirations for the future and his experience as a Northwestern football player ... A reminder to Wildcat fans that you have eight more days to cast your vote for the new Illinois-Northwestern rivalry trophy. Fans can click here to vote for their choice for the new trophy ... Also, Wildcat fans can still register for the upcoming "Walk for Randy." It takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, just prior to NU's spring game at noon ... The Valero Alamo Bowl announced today that their upcoming bowl game will be played on Saturday, Jan. 2. This is the first time in the bowl's 17-year history that it will be played outside its traditional Dec. 28-31 window. Last year's Alamo Bowl matchup between the Wildcats and Missouri Tigers was one of the most-watched bowl games in ESPN history ... Senior defensive end Corey Wootton has been named to the 2009 Lott Trophy Watch List.
