2004 Statistics

Quarterback
After returning to form in '04, fourth-year starter Brett Basanez will look to elevate his game that much further. With the dislocated shoulder he played through now mended, and with solid performers around him, there's no reason he shouldn't be better. That will make a solid offense explosive, as Basanez was already good enough to rank second in the Big Ten in total offense, passing yardage and completions per game. He also ran for 361 yards, a necessity in Randy Walker's spread attack. Basanez has 28 straight starts under his belt, making him one of the country's most experienced passers, and his coaches said he had his best spring. Backup C.J. Bacher, a redshirt freshman, shined this spring against a defense, though, missing several key faces. Bacher, a dual-threat who ranked No. 14 at his position by Rivals.com, has the physical tools to run the offense. But, realistically, the Cats would take a step back while he got his feet wet.

Running Back
One of the key position battles this spring, quick soph Brandon Roberson emerged as the likely heir apparent as senior Terrell Jordan remains on the mend. The Texas native ran for 141 yards and a TD on 18 carries in the second intrasquad scrimmage (the spring game was canceled due to bad weather). He impressed the staff with his speed and instincts. Still, Walker said after spring practice that he might not name a starter until the Sept. 3 opener. So, expect Jordan, another smallish speedster who has averaged 5.1 yards per carry, to be in the mix, along with incoming freshmen Tyrell Sutton and Omar Conteh. Sutton, almost a physical clone of Roberson, was Mr. Ohio Football last fall. One of the most critical needs here is good hands: Walker makes his RBs a crucial part of the passing game (departed RB Herron had 36 grabs).

Receiver
This should be a strength, with five of Basenez's top targets back, all at WR. The key is senior Mark Philmore, who still led the team in receptions (54) despite missing the last four games with a sprained knee. The entire passing game dropped off in his absence (and with Basanez's shoulder hurting). Philmore is a solid route runner who should be the possession guy out of the X spot. Junior Shaun Herbert, who led the team with 14.5 yards per grab, is somewhat of a deep threat out of the H. Kim Thompson and Brandon Horn give Basanez a pair of big targets at the Z. There's plenty of depth here, which allows Walker to use those preferred four-wideout sets. If Philmore stays healthy, this could be one of the better groups in the Big Ten.

Tight End and Fullback
These spots can be lumped together because, when on the field, these guys are mostly used as blockers. Plus, at NWestern, FBs often play TE, and vice versa. Taylor Jones, who had seven catches, didn't come out for his fifth year, leaving Erryn Cobb and Frayne Abernathy to man the TE spot. Abernathy takes over for Cobb at FB. With some holes to fill on the line, their blocking will come in handy (if/when they're on the field).

Offensive Line
A real strength last season, this was a point of emphasis during the spring as three spots need to be filled. Early on, at least, a unit that allowed just 12 sacks (third in Big Ten) while spearheading the conference's No. 3 run offense could struggle. The good news is Basanez has quick feet, and there's plenty of speed (though not much power) in the backfield. The foundation is RT Zach Strief, a 6-7, 335-pounder who was a consensus second-team all-Big Ten pick. Junior C Trevor Rees should step up some more in his third year as starter. The blindside could be a big problem early until soph LT Dylan Thiry (6-8, 300) and either Joe Tripodi or Austin Matthews (too close to call) gel. None of those three has a career start.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The continuing maturity of Basanez and the development of the O-line are the keys, but by the start of the Big Ten slate, this should be an improved offense. By now, Basanez has the kind of cohesion with his receivers that leads to big numbers. Herron was a big loss, but Walker has had a 1,000-yard rusher in five of his six seasons at NU, and in 24 of his 29 seasons as a coach, which leads one to believe someone will emerge. The speed in the backfield is perfect for a spread attack, especially one with plenty of capable receivers to open up the middle and TEs/FBs who can handle any assignment. Once this multi-dimensional unit starts clicking, it will be a chore to slow down, even against their tough schedule.

Defensive Line
Despite losing first-round NFL pick Luis Castillo and tackle Colby Clark, this group should be solid. DE Loren Howard, who missed the first six games last fall, could be a better pro prospect than Castillo if he stays healthy. Big and quick, Howard had decent sack and TFL totals despite only five starts. He missed the spring due to ankle injures, which isn't a promising sign (he also missed last spring with bad ankles). DT Barry Cofield, who moves inside after starting at DE, will be one of the nation's best, according to Walker. A 300-pounder who can genuinely move, Cofield could make Walker look prophetic. Together, Howard and Cofield should form one of the Big Ten's better inside-outside combos. The problem is depth (or lack thereof) and finding someone to step in for Cofield at DE. The staff was disappointed that no one stepped up (yet) to fill that void. Look for a possible surprise this fall, likely from the three DTs and two DEs who signed on this winter.

Linebacker
All-Big Ten MLB Tim McGarigle won't have quite the same strength up front to keep blockers off of him, which should prove to NFL scouts whether (or not) he's the real deal. McGarigle, who led the nation in tackling, leads a deep and quick corps that will be tough against the run and decent in short-passing coverage. Adam Kadela, who won the starting job in the middle last fall before breaking his leg three games in, moves to SAM. Junior WILL Nick Roach was a breakout performer with a co-team-high five sacks. There's experienced depth with junior Demetrius Easton, who got plenty of reps in Kadela's absence, and soph Eddie Simpson. The No. 8 ranking in the conference in run defense is a little misleading, considering opponents averaged 139.2 yards on the ground. Look for those yards, and that ranking, to decrease.

Defensive Back
Plenty of experience returns here, but is that really a good thing? The secondary has killed this team the past few years, including in '04, when they was 98th in Division I-A. The Cats simply have to cut down on allowing the big plays (foes threw for 25 TDs and 152 first downs with only eight INTs). The key is on improving the safeties, who were too often burned down the middle. Former walk-on Bryan Heinz has moved from free safety to strong safety to better suit his tackling ability. Quicker alternates Reggie McPherson and Herschel Henderson are battling for Heinz's old post. The corners look decent, with improving senior Jeff Backes growing into the top-cover role, while the fastest player on the team, junior Marquice Cole, lines up on the opposite side. Cory Dious and Deante Battle provide nice depth at corner, but overall lack of size is a problem.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The run defense should continue to be solid, which means offenses will go after that typically weak secondary early and often. There's speed and athleticism back there, which DC Greg Colby will try to capitalize on with nickel and dime looks. Expect plenty of blitz packages and stunts as Colby tries to slow down the pass anyway he can. It should help, seeing as the team's top two pass rushers are LBs. But the bottom line is about how vets like Heinz and Backes need to improve, and newcomers such as Dious and Battle have to mature quickly, or the offense will have to dramatically increase its scoring output.