2008 Northwestern Wildcats Preview

When Pat Fitzgerald arrived at Northwestern as a freshman linebacker in 1993, the prospect of a six-win season would not have simply met expectations. It would have blown them away. Back then, even the glass-half-full Fitzgerald couldn’t envision the day when six wins would be labeled a disappointment. But last fall, it was. Northwestern went 6–6 in Fitzgerald’s second season as head coach, but several slip-ups — the most glaring a home loss to Duke — and a bunched Big Ten resulted in no bowl game and a long winter. The offseason brought several changes, notably two new coordinators in Mike Hankwitz and Mick McCall, but the two-deep remains mostly the same. So does the expectation level. 

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Wildcats

The pieces are in place for the Wildcats to finish what they couldn’t last season. They have experience at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, but a new-look offensive line could hamper things. Northwestern loses three starters up front and has only one player (right tackle Kurt Mattes) returning to the same position, so building chemistry is critical. If the line jells, running back Tyrell Sutton stays healthy and C.J. Bachér trims his interceptions total, the offense should be among the league’s best. The defense needed new leadership and got it with veteran coordinator Mike Hankwitz. A line that returns all four starters must generate a better pass rush, especially from the edges. There are once again questions at linebacker after Adam Kadela’s graduation, but Northwestern usually finds capable replacements there. The secondary boasts decent depth and young talent but needs playmakers like safety Brendan Smith and cornerback Sherrick McManis to step up. The schedule once again features seven home games, but the Wildcats must avoid their annual non-conference stumble. They have a favorable opening to the Big Ten slate, but getting bowl eligible before Nov. 8 is key, as Northwestern finishes with Ohio State, Michigan and Illinois.

The Wildcats have a three-year starter at quarterback (C.J. Bachér), a two-time 1,000-yard rusher at running back (Tyrell Sutton) and a coach in Fitzgerald who is starting to brand the program as his own. “The attitude and the expectations of this program are that of a winner, of a team that competes for championships and bowl games,” Fitzgerald says. “Anything less is unacceptable.”

After another disappointing season on defense, Fitzgerald fired coordinator Greg Colby and scored a mini-coup with Hankwitz, who was surprisingly axed by Wisconsin. The 60-year-old brings an assertive style rooted in varied blitzes that could kick-start a unit that looks perpetually passive.

To replace departed offensive coordinator Garrick McGee, Fitzgerald hired McCall from Bowling Green, which runs a similar shotgun spread offense that emphasizes short routes and mobile quarterbacks. “Philosophically, we’ll be similar,” Fitzgerald says, “but there will be some new wrinkles.”

Quarterbacks

No player mirrored Northwestern’s inconsistent season more than Bachér. He threw as many touchdowns (19) as he did interceptions. He led the Big Ten in passing average (304.7 ypg) and engineered dramatic comebacks against Nevada, Minnesota and Indiana, but his highlights were offset by mistakes. He set single-season school records for passing (3,656 yards) and completions (318) but threw multiple interceptions in seven games. Not surprisingly, decision-making became the focus for Bachér during the offseason. He has the arm and the experience to guide a dangerous offense this fall, but the senior must take fewer risks and become a better game manager. “Checking it down, letting a guy that needs to get four (yards) catch it at three and fall down is just as good as trying to force a shot in there,” Fitzgerald says. “I’ve really been proud of his growth.” Junior Mike Kafka will back up Bachér, and quarterback-of-the-future Dan Persa also will be available.

Running backs

Northwestern should return to its running roots after finishing last in the Big Ten in rushing offense a year ago (119.8 ypg). The biggest reason for the drop-off was an ankle injury to starter Sutton, who missed the better part of seven games. Though backup Omar Conteh filled in nicely, McGee went pass-heavy and abandoned the run late in games. McCall figures to restore balance with the offense, and with a healthy Sutton and Conteh in the fold, Northwestern’s run game should recharge. Sutton will be featured, but the Wildcats have had success using two backs, most recently with Jason Wright and Noah Herron. Both Sutton and Conteh are excellent receivers, combining for 50 receptions last season, and provide the play-caller increased options. Sophomore Stephen Simmons also will take on a greater role after showcasing his speed on special teams, most notably with a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown against Ohio State.

Receivers

This should once again be a strength, as Northwestern returns five of its top six pass-catchers from last season. Gone are Kim Thompson and Tonjua Jones, but the Wildcats regain the services of Andrew Brewer, a projected starter last season who suffered a broken humerus in training camp. Brewer has top-shelf speed and good size (6-3). Eric Peterman could be primed for an All-Big Ten season after tying for seventh in the league in receptions per game (5.5), and Bachér’s red-zone chemistry with Ross Lane is undeniable. Superback Drake Dunsmore provides Bachér a big target, and speedster Jeff Yarbrough adds depth in the slot.

Offensive linemen

No shortage of questions here. Northwestern loses three starters up front, including mainstays at left tackle (Dylan Thiry) and center (Trevor Rees). Senior Joel Belding moves from right guard to center, a position he played occasionally during the 2005 season when Rees was academically ineligible. Consequently, both starting guard spots are open, with Keegan Grant the frontrunner to claim one. Keegan Kennedy moves over to guard from defensive tackle and will compete alongside Alex Rucks and veteran reserve Desmond Taylor. Hopes are high for redshirt freshman Al Netter, who could replace Thiry and protect Bachér’s blind side. Netter will compete with Mike Boyle and oft-injured junior Ramon Diaz for the job.

Defensive linemen

Hopes were elevated last season, but aside from the emergence of tackle John Gill, this group underperformed. All four starters are back, with Gill and Adam Hahn on the inside, bookended by Corey Wootton and Kevin Mims. Gill is primed for an all-conference season but needs pass-rushing help from Wootton, Mims, senior Rejaie Johnson and promising redshirt freshman end Vince Browne. Northwestern applied decent pressure last season but had little to show for it, generating only 18 sacks. “We had more hurries and more quarterback hits than we had the year before,” Fitzgerald says. “Now you have to figure out how to finish those plays.” The arrival of Hankwitz and line coach Marty Long could benefit this group.

Linebackers

Starting with Fitzgerald, the Wildcats have built a nice tradition at middle linebacker and need it to continue after losing Adam Kadela (125 tackles last year). Senior Malcolm Arrington will slide over from weak-side linebacker to the middle. Northwestern also might call upon sophomore Nate Williams. Prince Kwateng and Quentin Davie will continue to jockey at strong-side linebacker. Senior Mike Dinard started five games last fall at weakside backer but needs to bounce back after disappearing in Big Ten play. Dinard must hold off Bryce McNaul, who showed flashes last summer but wound up redshirting with a hamstring injury. Ben Johnson and Chris Jeske, who might finally be recovered from back problems, also will compete for playing time.

Defensive backs

The secondary might finally have the ingredients for a breakthrough. The Wildcats regain playmaking safety Brendan Smith, who comes off a shoulder injury that sidelined him after three games last season. Smith and plucky cornerback Sherrick McManis must set the tone for a group that generated only five of the team’s nine interceptions last year. Junior safety Brad Phillips is back after replacing Smith last season, but he’ll need to hold off David Arnold and Brian Peters to retain a starting job. Arnold would have played last year if not for an injury. The cornerback spot opposite McManis will be hotly contested, as Justan Vaughn and David Oredugba compete with redshirt freshmen Jordan Mabin and Mike Bolden. Vaughn is a good bet to start or play nickel back, and Mabin was the team’s top recruit in 2007 but redshirted because of a shoulder injury.

Specialists

Stefan Demos will resume punting and kickoff duties after offseason leg surgery. He is eventually expected to add placekicking, but Fitzgerald will hold off for now. Senior Amado Villarreal needs to regain the field goal form he showed early last season, when he converted his first seven attempts. McManis and Simmons form a dangerous kickoff return tandem, but the Wildcats need to find someone to handle punts. Peterman, Smith and possibly Brewer will compete there.

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