Offensive line gets it together

Two weeks ago, Northwestern's offensive line was a shaken group, fretting over lackluster results and awaiting the next blunder.

The linemen had failed in the red zone against Duke. They had looked passive against Ohio State, allowing 5 sacks in a 58-7 drubbing. They were held hostage by their thoughts, unable to take the next step.

"A lot of us were worried about not messing up, playing tentatively, just trying to get our assignments accomplished," center Trevor Rees said. "The last few weeks it's been letting it go."

By being less obsessed with mistakes, the line has made fewer of them. Facing a Michigan State defense ranked second nationally in sacks, NU's line safeguarded quarterback C.J. Bacher on Saturday, allowing the junior to pass for a school-record 520 yards and earn Big Ten and national offensive player of the week honors.

Bacher swept the external awards, but the entire line was named NU's offensive player of the week.

Rees credited the coaching staff for inciting a group whose play hinges on passion and energy.

"They came to us and were saying, 'Let loose. Stop playing in fear of messing up. Play a little more wild, a little more aggressively,' " Rees said. "We took a different attitude toward the game."

Where was that attitude at the start of the season?

"It's a little difficult to tell in camp, when we're practicing against each other, to see people's mentality and how they're trying to play," Rees said. "Every week it becomes more and more physical, more and more aggressive."

Cutting loose wasn't the directive for Bacher, who had thrown 7 interceptions in the previous three games. But Bacher was able to take risks Saturday with time in the pocket.

"I have a lot of trust in my receivers -- Ross (Lane) had a couple of pass breakups," Bacher joked. "They'll tell me to throw it up because either they're going to get it or they're going to knock it down.

"Maybe I'm able to take a few more chances than some other quarterbacks around the nation."

Passing Lane: C.J. Bacher doesn't play favorites with his receivers, except for maybe near the goal line. Bacher has thrown 4 of his 9 touchdown passes to Ross Lane, whose 6-foot-3 frame and leaping ability (Lane was a standout soccer goalie in high school) make him an appealing target.

"He's going to catch it or it's going to be incomplete," Bacher said. "I really have a good feel for where Ross is going to be, and he has a good feel for when I'm going to release the ball."

Off the mat: After watching "Rocky" before the Michigan State victory, NU players expect boxing to remain a part of their pregame entertainment.

"I think we're watching Rocky I-III or IV, skipping the last couple, maybe watch 'Cinderella Man' or something," Trevor Rees said.

He said it: C.J. Bacher, on the possibility of rewarding his offensive linemen by buying them dinner: "It's actually against the NCAA rules. We'll find a loophole or something."

Inches to go: Running back Tyrell Sutton (high ankle sprain) didn't participate in Monday's practice. … Quentin Davie remains the starting strong-side linebacker on this week's depth chart ahead of Prince Kwateng. … Desmond Taylor returned to the depth chart as the backup left guard after missing several weeks with a knee injury.