Northwestern ready to roll with either QB in season opener
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has promised to reveal the winner of the team's quarterback competition when the offense runs onto the field for the first time on Saturday at Stanford.
So there wasn't much talk about any individual quarterbacks on Monday. Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson, perhaps the most highly-ranked recruit ever to play at Northwestern, is the heavy favorite to get the job. But T.J. Green is a fifth-year senior with playing experience and a father who played in the NFL (Trent Green).
"I thought the whole (quarterback) room had a great camp," Fitzgerald said. "I thought all the guys did the best job they possibly could and I feel really great about the group."
The Wildcats introduced their four captains for the season, which included to returning receiver Brent Skowronek. He was as diplomatic as possible when discussing the quarterback battle.
"My job is to get open, my job is to catch the ball," Skowronek said. "Both those guys can get me the ball, get all the other receivers the ball, make the right checks, do all that stuff. I'm behind both quarterbacks, the team's behind both quarterbacks.
"You really don't realize who's out there. We're in a no huddle system anyway, so we're getting calls from the sideline. The ball's coming, you've just got to catch it."
The Wildcats' other captains are cornerback Tre Williams, center Jared Thomas and linebacker Paddy Fisher.
Best of luck to QB:
After hearing the news that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck decided to retire over the weekend, NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said he sent a text to Luck's father Oliver.
Back in the day, Fitzgerald was heavily involved in recruiting Luck, who settled on Stanford and was later the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2012.
"We recruited Andrew," Fitzgerald said. "I think I was going to the rental car return when Andrew called me and told me he was going to Stanford, when I was on vacation with my family. I thought we were right in the mix, absolutely. He made a great decision to go to a great school.
"We all have to retire before we want to in this game. He had a great run and a great career and an amazing legacy. My hope is the courage he demonstrated over the weekend is inspiring to all those that come after him."
Kubiuk wins punting job:
Asked which player made the most surprising improvement over the summer, NU coach Pat Fitzgerald chose punter Daniel Kubiuk.
The former Barrington quarterback got a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility and won the job. He punted twice in 2017 and saw mop-up action at QB during one game in 2015.
"I'm fired up for Kubes," Fitzgerald said. "He's been here a long time. He's had to battle through some injuries. A couple years ago we expected him to be our starting punter and unfortunately got hurt. So he missed multiple years. He's had a great camp and he gets the opportunity to do it first."
A couple of local players are slated as starters - junior wide receiver Riley Lees from Libertyville and sophomore cornerback Greg Newsome, who played at Glenbard North before transferring to IMG Academy.
Two on the second string are Libertyville guard Charlie Schmidt and Wheaton North linebacker Erik Mueller. Crystal Lake Central lineman Wyatt Blake switched from offense to defense, a move Fitzgerald said may not be permanent.
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