Northwestern offense gets quite a workout

Northwestern's top quarterback, running back and receiver called it a day after one series of Saturday's wind-swept spring game in Evanston.

But don't worry.

C.J. Bacher, Tyrell Sutton, Eric Peterman and the rest of the Wildcats' offense definitely got in more than their share of work this spring.

They had no choice because NU, under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Mick McCall, reinstalled one of the most recognizable characteristics of the Randy Walker era -- the no-huddle attack.

You might recall Northwestern shared the 2000 Big Ten title in its first year using the no-huddle.

"It was a little fast and hectic in the beginning," said Bacher, who will extend his streak of 17 starts at quarterback, barring injury, in Northwestern's Aug. 30 opener against Syracuse.

"But we're starting to get it down. Things are going a little slower and we're getting it going in the right direction now."

"We'd always thought of ourselves as a no-huddle offense -- until we truly became a no-huddle offense," Sutton said with a laugh. "It definitely was a news flash when we had to run a few plays, come back, run a route, come back, run three runs.

"It's definitely good for us. It's definitely great conditioning for us. Here, we like to beat defenses down and wear them out in the fourth quarter."

That's not how it worked out Saturday in front of roughly 5,000 fans and more than 100 former players at Ryan Field.

The offense went wild in the first half before the defense took control after intermission as Northwestern squeezed in 75 plays over 60 minutes of running clock.

"I handcuffed the defense," said coach Pat Fitzgerald, who held out four defensive starters entirely and removed two others early. "We're a little dinged up up front. But that's what spring's all about: Get everybody mad at me. I like it."

With first-stringers facing first-stringers and second-stringers battling second-stringers -- minus the 22 Wildcats considered too hurt to play -- the offense rolled up 3 touchdowns and a field goal in its first five possessions.

Senior wideout Rasheed Ward got the second-stringers on the board by catching a short pass over the middle from redshirt freshman Dan Persa and turning it into a 20-yard score.

On the ensuing possession, Ward scored for the first string with a sparkling diving catch in the end zone. Mike Kafka eluded pressure and rolled right to set up the 12-yard touchdown pass.

Count Ward, who owns just 1 career touchdown reception in games that count, among the no-huddle disciples.

"The more plays for us, the more plays for our playmakers," Ward said.

Senior running back Omar Conteh (16 rushes, 111 yards) produced the game's other touchdown with a 41-yard cutback down the left sideline.

After that, though, the defense surrendered just 2 first downs on the next six drives combined.

"It was kind of ideal for the head coach," Fitzgerald said. "The offense has a good half, a lot to coach them positively, and not a good second half.

"The defense didn't have a good start but finished strong. There's a lot to build on."

• Northwestern held out 22 of the 82 players on its spring roster, including seven projected starters: Safety Brendan Smith, cornerback Sherrick McManis, defensive tackle Adam Hahn, defensive end Kevin Mims, center Joel Belding, punter Stefan Demos and kicker Amado Villarreal.

Senior Kyle Daley took advantage of his opportunity as the lone kicker. He converted 3 field goals, including a 41-yarder into a fierce crosswind.

• With so many veterans on the sidelines, Northwestern's large redshirt freshman class received ample opportunities to show their wares.

Defensive end Vince Browne personified the group with 1 sack, 1 pass breakup when he hit the quarterback as he threw and several pressures.

Quarterback Dan Persa completed 7 of 11 passes for 59 yards and a score while rushing six times for 25 yards for the second team. Cornerback Mike Bolden cracked running back Scott Concannon and forced a fumble.

Left tackle Al Netter and cornerback Jordan Mabin started for the first-stringers.

"We all just want to get on the field," Browne said. "We didn't come here to sit on the bench. Last year was pretty frustrating for us not being able to play."

• Junior receiver Kevin Frymire, a Burr Ridge resident, suffered the scrimmage's only serious injury.

Frymire had to be carted off the field, his lower right leg in an air cast, after Tyrell Sutton inadvertently rolled up on him from behind as he completed a 22-yard run.

Frymire was blocking when the injury occurred. Two plays earlier, Frymire caught a 12-yard out pass for the first-stringers.

Northwestern spring game statistics

April 26, 2008

Rushing

Conteh 16-111, 1 TD; Kafka 6-36; Persa 6-25; Sutton 3-23; Concannon 9-12; Mauro 3-6; Bacher 1-1; Brewer 1-(1)

Passing

Kafka 7-13-0, 70 yards, 1 TD; Persa 7-11-0, 59 yards, 1 TD; Bacher 3-5-0, 27 yards; Mauro 0-1-0, 0 yards

Receiving

Ward 4-42, 2 TDs; Brewer 3-53; Rooks 2-14; Conteh 2-13; Concannon 2-6; Frymire 1-12; Peterman 1-8; Lane 1-6; Markshausen 1-2