NCAA Football Preview - Northwestern Wildcats
Sports Network | August 12, 2008
2008 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: New offensive coordinator Mick McCall simplified NUs signature spread offense, and even inserted the no-huddle.
"I think if you look across the board in the Big Ten I believe we now have eight offenses that base out of the spread, and each one of those offenses are a little bit different," coach Fitzgerald said at media day. "So really it'll take on the personality of Mick."
The change in scheme should benefit senior quarterback C.J. Bacher, who completed 61 percent of his passes for a Big Ten best 3,656 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. However, Bacher also struggled with his reads, as evidenced by his 19 interceptions. Helping him adjust to McCalls offense will be a veteran-laden receiving corps. Senior Eric Peterman, who last year produced 66 catches, 744 yards and three touchdowns, is the primary target. Also back are Ross Lane (49-649-7) and Rasheed Ward (46-434-0), along with junior Andrew Brewer, who was set to start last year before breaking his arm in the preseason.
Junior running back Tyrell Sutton has climbed to 3,000 rushing yards for his career despite being slowed by an ankle injury last year. Senior Omar Conteh (4.7 ypc) proved quite capable in his absence and will again be counted on this season. However, only two starters return from an offensive line that helped pave the way for the Wildcats to produce 428 total yards per game in 2007. Still, redshirt freshman Al Netter (6-6, 285) has a great deal of promise at the left tackle position.
DEFENSE: Northwestern's defense looked overmatched and undisciplined for long stretches last season. Needing a change of direction, head coach Pat Fitzgerald brought in former Wisconsin coordinator Mike Hankwitz to oversee the defense and is thrilled with the addition.
"Mike's been there and done it. He brings a confidence to our defense, he's run just about every scheme that you can, so his ability to adapt to what our players do best is exciting."
Hankwitz spent much of the spring preaching aggressiveness and fundamentals. However, it was announced in early-August that senior defensive tackle John Gill (8.5 TFL), regarded as the team's top defensive player, is suspended for the team's opener for violating team policy. Fellow defensive tackle Adam Hahn has plenty of starting experience, as do both ends.
At linebacker, NU must replace last years Big Ten leader in tackles, Adam Kadela. Seniors Malcolm Arrington (47 tackles) and Prince Kwateng (45 tackles, three FF) will need to step up.
Starting cornerback Sherrick McManis spent the offseason recovering from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. Holding down the safety positions are Brendan Smith, an honorable All-Big Ten selection in 2006 who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, along with Brad Phillips. There is stiff competition behind those two.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The holder, long snapper, kicker and punter all return. Senior Amado Villareal went 12-of-18 on field goals last year, while punter Stefan Demos played a major role in the Wildcats allowing less than five yards per return. The return jobs are also in good shape. McManis averaged 23.2 yards in his second year returning kicks, while Stephen Simmons is also back after hitting Ohio State with a 99-yard kick return. Brendan Smith will likely return to the punt returner role he held in 2006, although wideouts Peterman and Ward filled in admirably last year.
OUTLOOK: In all, 47 letter-winners are back in the mix for coach Fitzgerald's third year. The 2008 Wildcats will feature more of his recruits, so it will be interesting to gauge the progression in that regard. After all those fourth- quarter lapses, the theme for 2008 is finishing the job. NU needs to take advantage of a light schedule in the early portion of the season, considering whats waiting at the tail end. After back-to-back road games, the Wildcats finish out their schedule home against Ohio State, at Michigan, then home against Illinois. There is certainly plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, and on special teams, but Northwestern can't afford to waste any time while adapting to new coordinators on both offense and defense.
