Northwestern's defense finds its swagger
It happened toward the end of halftime Saturday, as Northwestern defenders assembled in the corner of the locker room.
Some players spoke. Others remained quiet. But when they broke their huddle, one thing became clear: the defense wasn't headed down the same sorry path again.
"That break down was legitimate," junior linebacker Mike Dinard said of the gathering. "There was something in there."
That something was a swagger, which has been lacking at NU for most of a decade filled with defensive struggles.
Saturday's first half against Nevada showed many of the same troubling signs: sagged-off pass coverage, negligible backfield penetration, insufficient speed and a breakdown that led to a 48-yard touchdown as time expired.
But NU transformed in the second half, forcing 2 fumbles and collecting 5 tackles for loss. The Wildcats held Nevada to 7 points, and defensive end Kevin Mims capped the effort with sacks on the final two plays.
"We developed a swagger," said Dinard, who led NU with 11 tackles. "The first game (against Northeastern), we didn't really have an opportunity to have to get our swagger going.
"Finally, we faced some adversity and we really kind of showed what we can be and who we are."
They are, at least on paper, one of NU's most experienced defenses in recent years. Hopes are high for the line and the secondary, but both units struggled early Saturday.
"We haven't played to our potential as a defense in six quarters this year," coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "We need to play the way we did in the second half. We started to have some guys from the defensive line have some production. That's the expectation.
"They're not satisfied or very happy with the way they've performed. I can say that about our entire front seven."
Sutton questionable: Starting running back Tyrell Sutton will be a game-time decision against Duke after injuring his right ankle Saturday. Pat Fitzgerald didn't expect Sutton to practice Monday, but said the injury is improving.
"It was pretty sore (Sunday)," Fitzgerald said, "but we'll work through rehab."
Brandon Roberson appears likely to start against Duke if Sutton can't play, especially after tallying a career-high 128 rushing yards Saturday. But Fitzgerald listed Roberson and Omar Conteh as co-backups behind Sutton on this week's depth chart.
"We'll miss (Sutton) if he's not there," center Trevor Rees said, "but ultimately we get ready the same way no matter who's back there.
"There's not necessarily a huge drop-off from Tyrell to Brandon to Omar."
Balancing act: Pat Fitzgerald wants run-pass balance in his offense, but he didn't condemn a puzzling game plan that featured 34 passes in the first 40 plays Saturday.
Junior quarterback C.J. Bacher admitted to checking out of several run plays. He said that his poor completion ratio (20 of 45) stemmed from some miscommunication with wide receivers on double-read routes.
"C.J. got us in the right play in the first half more times than not," Fitzgerald said.
Inches to go: Senior linebacker Eddie Simpson will miss the Duke game with a left leg injury. Mike Dinard likely starts for Simpson, who will be reevaluated next week. … Despite Saturday's strong effort, Kevin Mims remained behind starters David Ngene and Corey Wootton on the depth chart. … NU's Big Ten opener Sept. 22 at Ohio State will kick off at 2:30 p.m. and be televised by ESPN.