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Northwestern Wildcats (2000: 8-4) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programThis will be the year the country’s football fans get to know coach Randy Walker, because his Wildcats are the preseason favorites to win the Big Ten.One reason that they’re so highly regarded is that Walker has crafted an offense that maximizes the unique skills of two of the country’s most exciting offensive players, running back Damien Anderson and quarterback Zak Kustok. The ‘Cats wound up 3-8 in Walker’s first year, but after installing a wide-open spread offense, last year’s team shocked the nation, going 6-2 in Big Ten play and winning a share of the conference title. The ‘Cats controlled their own destiny with two games to play, but their Rose Bowl dreams fizzled when they fell flat at Iowa and lost by 10 to the Hawkeyes. After a 61-23 drubbing of Illinois, the lack of a consistent defense caught up with Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl, where Nebraska ran wild in a 66-17 blowout in San Antonio. This year’s priorities obviously center on finding a better way to stop the opposition, because the Wildcats seem to have this whole offense thing figured out. “We have to become a better defense,” Walker said. “We were near the bottom in many defensive categories last season in the Big Ten. We feel we have better personnel and a better plan than that indicates." The possibility that the offense could be even better this year along with a better defense, the Wildcats could take that next step for Walker this fall, to an outright Big Ten title and a BCS bowl But first, the Wildcats must deal with the tragic loss of safety Rashidi Wheeler, who collapsed and died from asthma during conditioning drills Aug. 3. "It's exactly like they lost a brother; that's exactly what it was," Walker said. "Words can't describe the grief that we all share together.
OffenseKustok (6-1, 201) started all 12 games last year and helped the Wildcats win in a variety of ways. His 2,389 yards passing were second in the conference. His 505 yards rushing set a school record, and his nine rushing touchdowns tied a mark held by Otto Graham. He ran the no-huddle, multiple set offense with dazzling efficiency, taking play-calling signals from the sideline, relaying them to his teammates, and then executing with deadly precision.“… I think he’s the best quarterback in the Big Ten,” Walker said. “I know there are a lot of good quarterbacks, but I wouldn’t trade him for anyone.” Another player who made a name for himself nationally with his play last year is senior running back Anderson (5-11, 204). He set or tied 23 school records en route to piling up these eye-popping statistics: 2,063 yards rushing, 6.6. yards per carry and 23 touchdowns. He rattled off 219 yards at Michigan State, 230 at Minnesota, 240 against Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl, 268 against Michigan and 292 against Indiana. Toss in four more games over 100 and all those touchdowns, and you can see why he received a slew of All-America honors and finished fifth in Heisman voting. Any team that rushes for 3,062 yards must be doing something right up front -- like putting together an experienced, athletic line capable of clearing holes for a thoroughbred like Anderson. Junior Austin King (6-4, 281) is probably the best in the conference with Ben Hamilton and Casey Rabach now playing on Sundays. He and junior guard Jeff Roehl (6-4, 299) are candidates for postseason honors. The only offensive starter not returning is wide receiver Teddy Johnson, who led the team with seven touchdowns. But the team’s leading receiver was senior Sam Simmons (5-10, 201), who hauled in 38 passes and five touchdowns, including back-to-back game-winners against Minnesota and Michigan.
Defense and special teamsFor all the impressive numbers posted by the Northwestern offense, the picture isn’t so pretty on the other side of the ball. The Wildcats were near the bottom of the Big Ten in a number of significant categories -- 10th in scoring defense, 10th in rushing defense, ninth in total defense, ninth in passing defense efficiency and 10th in opponent first downs.The ‘Cats lost five starters on defense, including defensive end Dwayne Missouri, defensive tackle Javiar Collins and end/linebacker Conrad Emmerich, who were 1-2-3 in sacks last season. Senior Salem Simon (6-4, 270) and junior Pete Chapman (6-4, 294) will anchor the line at the tackle position. The defense’s strongest unit, linebacker, is loaded with experience and talent, and might be the Big Ten’s best. Senior Billy Silva (6-3, 248) was second in the Big Ten last year with 124 tackles, while senior Napoleon Harris (6-3, 243) was third with 117. Junior Raheem Covington (5-9, 182) looks like the new leader of the defensive backfield. Starting all 12 games at right corner last year, Covington made 81 tackles, broke up four passes and had one interception. Junior David Wasielewski (5-10, 229) and sophomore Brian Huffman (6-1, 202) will battle it out for the kicker position. Wasielewski is a transfer from Florida and should get first crack at the job, but at this point it’s still wide open.
Bottom lineNo team in the Big Ten can boast a quarterback-running back-wide receiver trio like Kustok, Anderson and Simmons. Put them behind a line that’s working together for its second straight season as starters, and they should be even more potent than last season.The schedule has a few potential landmines to keep an eye on. The season opener is no picnic, a trip to the desert to take on a UNLV team that won the Las Vegas Bowl last season. And the season finale at cross-state rival Illinois could be trouble -- a Thanksgiving Day matchup against a team the ‘Cats humiliated, 61-23, last year. However, if Northwestern can avoid those pitfalls, don’t be surprised to be sharing your thoughts on Randy Walker and how his spread offense will look on New Year’s Day when you visit your water cooler next December. |
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