Wheaton's Trumpy turning heads at NU
Mike Trumpy began Saturday as Northwestern's fourth-string running back.
When the Wildcats open Big Ten play next week at Minnesota, it wouldn't be crazy to find the redshirt freshman from Wheaton North High School as the starter.
After NU's first three running backs combined for 30 yards on 10 carries in the first half, running backs coach Matt MacPherson tapped Trumpy and told him to start the second half.
In his first action with a game on the line, Trumpy finished with 12 carries for a game-high 53 yards. He hit the hole hard for 11 yards on his first carry and went from there.
"Michael's been practicing outstanding," said NU coach Pat Fitzgerald. "We told him, 'Just be patient. Your opportunity is going to present itself' and it did. He's been running fast and physical, so I thought he played pretty well for his first real chance out there."
"It makes you feel good that they believe in me," Trumpy said. "You've just got to run as hard as you can and trust the system and play ball."
Prior to Saturday, Trumpy's career had been one injury after another. He did a number on his hamstring last year during camp, which made it easy for the coaches to decide to redshirt him, and separated his shoulder to get knocked out of spring ball. Then he suffered a concussion in camp this fall.
Meanwhile, usual starter Arby Fields (7 carries, 16 yards) lost a fumble on his only fourth-quarter run.
"It's going to be a challenge to his attitude," Fitzgerald said. "It's going to be a challenge to his investment and his belief and confidence in himself, because I've got all the confidence in the world in him."
Persa not perfect? It took 93 attempts, but NU quarterback Dan Persa finally threw an interception this season.
With the Wildcats facing third-and-4 on Central Michigan's 12 in the second quarter, Persa tried to force a pass over the middle to tight end Drake Dunsmore.
Middle linebacker Nick Bellore was standing right there waiting to make the pick.
"I'm glad it happened," said NU coach Pat Fitzgerald. "So now you guys can stop asking me about him being perfect. Pressure's off now. I like that he knew why it happened."
"I made a bad play fake and didn't suck the linebacker down," Persa said. "He just dropped right into the line where I was throwing. I shouldn't have thrown it there, anyway."
Persa completed at least 75 percent of his passes for the fourth week in a row. He hit 23 of 30 for 280 yards, 2 touchdowns and the lone pick.
The redshirt junior entered the game No. 2 nationally in passing efficiency at 192.63. He dropped slightly to 186.33.
Cats stuff: Starting safety Jared Carpenter sat out his second straight game with a bad back. Hunter Bates took his spot again and posted a team-high 11 tackles.
Reigning Big Ten defensive player of the week Quentin Davie, who posted 3 interceptions in the last two games, came out frequently on obvious passing downs. He still finished with 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.
NU posted 149 net rushing yards against a Central Michigan defense that had been allowing 79.7 yards per game. Chippewas defensive tackle Sean Murnane, a senior from Carmel, made an impact with a sack and a quarterback hit.