Pat Ryan, a member of Northwestern University's Board of Trustees and a former Wildcat football player, addresses the team following their scrimmage Saturday.

'Cats Cap Strong Week with Camp Kenosha Scrimmage

8/18/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football

Aug. 18, 2012

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KENOSHA, Wis. -- Bouncing back from a rigorous experience with the U.S. Navy SEALs Friday, Northwestern staged a productive intra-squad scrimmage Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha. The session included 45 offensive plays from scrimmage in addition to live situational drills to practice kickoffs, punts and field goals.

"I wanted as always to come out injury-free which we did, but No. 2 I wanted to see some of the young guys go out and compete with the coaches completely out of it," said head coach Pat Fitzgerald. "There was ebb and flow, good and bad. We had a couple turnovers and we'll take a look at why. But I'm encouraged with what our attitude is, we had a pretty hard workout yesterday so to see the way the guys came out with some heavy legs, they handled it well."

With many veterans on both sides of the ball kept out of the scrimmage, the Wildcats defense held the upper hand through much of the day, surrendering just one touchdown to the offense. That score came on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by freshman running back Michael Odom to complete an 11-play, 64-yard drive led by quarterback Zack Oliver.

The NU defense forced three turnovers on the day, all three of them coming through the air with two interceptions by cornerback Mike Eshun. True freshman Terrance Brown also secured an INT after linebacker Eric Wilson deflected a pass over the middle high into the air.

Defensive end Dean Lowry, another true freshman, was active up front for the Wildcats, collecting four tackles, one tackle-for-loss and a pass deflection at the line of scrimmage. Senior linebacker Roderick Goodlow matched Lowry's four tackles to tie for the team lead.

Oliver and fellow quarterback Trevor Siemian received the majority of reps under center and posted a combined 111 yards on 12-of-16 passing. Oliver accounted for the longest completion of the day when he fired over the middle to wide receiver Kyle Prater for 27 yards.

Sophomore tailback Tim Hanrahan finished as NU's leading rusher on the day with 38 yards on five carries, including a game-long 14-yard run to his credit.

On special teams, senior place-kicker Steve Flaherty booted the longest field goal of the day when he connected on a 41-yarder, while Jeff Budzien was true from 36 yards on his longest attempt.

See below for complete stats from Saturday's scrimmage.

Scrimmage Notes
• The extensive list of players held out from today's practice included: QB Kain Colter, WR Demetrius Fields, WR Rashad Lawrence, OL Brian Mulroe, RB Venric Mark, LB David Nwabuisi, S Ibraheim Campbell, CB Nick VanHoose, DE Tyler Scott and DT Brian Arnfelt.

• Two great supporters and fans of Northwestern Football had the opportunity to speak to the Wildcats in the huddle after practice: NU president Morton Schapiro and former chairman of the Board of Trustees Pat Ryan. Both spoke to the pride they take in the Wildcats' success on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

"Mr. Ryan has been part of Northwestern Football for seven decades and to see where we're at today, kind of in our heyday but not totally satisfied with where we're at, that's what's so exciting," Fitzgerald said. "To hear him say we have 100 percent backing from the Board of Trustees, those are strong statements. We know that, and the guys know that, but to hear it from Mr. Ryan is something special."

• Following a day off the practice field Sunday, Northwestern will return to Evanston on Monday, making a stop along the way at the Naval Station Great Lakes to share a lunch with sailors at the military base.

Total Offense
45 plays -- 199 yards (4.4 yds/play)

Passing
Zack Oliver: 6-9 for 77 yards (2 INT) (long of 27)
Trevor Siemian: 6-7 for 34 yards (long of 13)
PJ Carollo: 0-1
Christian Salem: 0-2 (1 INT)
Total: 12-19-0-3, 111 yards

Rushing (carries-yards)
Tim Hanrahan: 5-38 (long 14)
Michael Odom: 6-20 (1 TD)
Michael Panico: 5-14
Zack Oliver: 3-10
Mike Trumpy: 2-7
Tyris Jones: 3-0
Trevor Siemian: 2-(-1)
Total: 26 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD

Receiving (catches-yards)
Pierre Youngblood-Ary: 2-31 (long 26)
Kyle Prater: 2-29 (long 27)
Andrew Scanlan: 2-15
Tyris Jones: 2-9
Christian Jones: 1-13
Cameron Dickerson: 1-10
Mike McHugh: 1-4
Trevor Siemian: 1-0
Total: 12 receptions, 111 yards

Defense
Dean Lowry: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU
Roderick Goodlow: 4 tackles
Jared Carpenter: 3 tackles
Terrance Brown: 3 tackles, 1 INT
Traveon Henry: 3 tackles
Connor Mahoney: 3 tackles, 1 QBH
Ifeadi Odenigbo: 2 tackles, 1 sack
Collin Ellis: 2 tackles
Timmy Vernon: 2 tackles
Max Chapman: 2 tackles
Quinn Evans: 2 tackles
Eric Wilson: 2 tackles
Jaylen Prater: 2 tackles, 1 TFL
Damien Proby: 1 tackle, 1 PBU
Mike Eshun: 1 tackle, 2 INTs
Daniel Jones: 1 tackle
Deonte Gibson: 1 tackle, 1 sack
Davion Fleming: 1 tackle
Hunter Bates: 1 tackle, 1 TFL
Jarrell Williams: 1 tackle
Troy Sheppard: 1 PBU

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