2002 Statistics

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

Coach Randy Walker has stuck with the single-back, spread offense since arriving at Evanston, and there's no indication of change in 2003. The Wildcats do return several promising performers at the skill positions.

The running back position in the spread offense usually requires a durable, big-back type with pass-catching and blocking abilities. Senior Jason Wright certainly fits the bill. He is backed by junior Noah Herron, who also brings needed muscle into the backfield with his 230-pound frame.

The Wildcats were actually respectable on offense in 2002. Brett Basanez made quite a splash as one of the best freshman quarterbacks. He will improve on his 2,202 passing yards and seven TDs.

The spread demands a deep crew of receivers, and the leading pass-catcher from 2002 (Jon Schweighardt) has been lost to graduation. But seniors Kunle Patrick and Roger Jordan are returning starters, while young Mark Philmore received some quality action as a freshman. Philmore posted the second-best reception total (31 receptions) by a true freshman at Northwestern. Throw a few others in the mix (such as Ashton Aikens), and this gives coaches seven receivers with considerable experience at wideout in the 'Cats spread offense.

A position that continues to be a work-in-progress for the Wildcats is tight end. Sophomores Joe Wohlscheid and Taylor Jones return to this position after getting their feet wet in 2002. The biggest off-season move on offense, however, involves senior Ray Bogenrief, who is moving from defense to offense. The former defensive end was an all-state tight end in high school, so…

Perhaps the Wildcats' biggest offensive question rests in the trenches-who will replace center Austin King and guard Jeff Roehl, a pair of All-Big Ten honorees that have been mainstays on the OL the past three years? Soph Zach Strief and junior Trai Essex finished 2002 starting at tackle. Essex, who played the left side last season, needs to hit 300 pounds during the off-season to give the Wildcat line a little more muscle and/or bulk. Returning starter Matt Ulrich is emerging as a top player. He had as many championship performances last year as anyone while playing the guard position.

Walker's spread offense depends on giving 1) the QB time to throw and 2) the RBs open lanes in which to cut. Two starters are gone from the offensive line and Walker spent much of the spring trying to put together an improved blocking combination. We will see about this and report back. But until proven, this is considered a weakness.

WR Kunle Patrick

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

If there was any place on defense where the Wildcats were at least decent last year, it was the secondary. The Wildcats were middle-of-the-pack in the Big Ten pass defense statistics, but mainly because opponents could run with such ease they rarely needed to throw much. Northwestern did, and still does, have some talent in the defensive backfield.

At the safety positions, junior Dominique Price returns, along with senior Torri Stuckey and junior Jarvis Adams. Price played in 10 games last year and notched 68 tackles and three fumble recoveries. His physical presence is a must in the secondary. Adams missed the spring season with an injury after starting much of 2002. In a move to bolster the Wildcats' defense, and in particular the secondary, sophomore Jeff Backes is going to get an opportunity to play cornerback. The former running back and wide receiver could still move back to offense at any time, but Walker says Backes is too good an athlete to be playing on a part-time basis. Junior corner Herschel Henderson, at 6-3 and 195, has the size necessary to cover some of the conference's rangier wide-outs. The Wildcat secondary has decent speed and tackling ability, but too often is put in fire-drill situations due to breakdowns up front.

At defensive end(s), Loren Howard (13.5 sacks) and David Thompson started last season as freshmen. Thompson, at 6-2, 255, was at a considerable size disadvantage against almost every opponent and still had 73 tackles and two forced fumbles. Experience, coupled with their ample progress, will make this position a strength, at least for these starters. Other incumbents have been battling for Thompson's spot all spring. Howard is the bright spot and will be a likely candidate for post-season conference awards.

The Wildcats were awful on the defensive side of the ball in 2002. Only three starters were lost to graduation, but after last season's debacle - which saw opponents average a blood-curdling 41.1 points and 502.3 yards per game against the Wildcats- it's safe to say that most starting spots are open for competition. They should have improved with age - they'd better have, or this team is in trouble before the season starts.

The line was the starting place for Northwestern's defensive headaches. The 'Cats gave up an appalling 313.6 rushing yards per game, and that will be cut, but how much remains questionable. Walker stacked the box at times last year, but almost every Big Ten opponent had one or more deep threat(s), which made this tactic a liability. Junior DTs Luis Castillo and Colby Clark will easily fill their slots, yet struggle to dominate week-to-week.

Northwestern had the dual blessing and curse in 2002 of starting a pair of freshman OLBs. Tim McGarrigle at the WILL and Braden Jones at the SAM got a baptism by fire during Big Ten action. Both will be "on the spot" to show improvement so as to stay in the starting lineup. Senior Doug Szymul saw plenty of action, which culminated in his team leading 106 tackles. He now has company. The most significant news at this position is the anticipated return of All-Big Ten candidate Pat Durr, the Wildcats' middle linebacker who missed all but six plays of the 2002 season. Durr suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening minutes of the Air Force game. He will sit out the spring season as he completes his rehabilitation.

MLB Pat Durr