For Wildcats, it's now a running question

Northwestern ran 76 plays from scrimmage on Saturday at Michigan State.

Just 8 were carries by the Wildcats' cadre of running backs.

While it's misleading to suggest Northwestern abandoned its running game - approximately half of the 20 combined carries by quarterbacks Mike Kafka and Dan Persa were designed runs - it still begs some questions as the Wildcats (4-3, 1-2) prepare for Saturday's homecoming game with Indiana (4-3, 1-2).

Does Northwestern want to run the ball? Can Northwestern run the ball?

When you read Pat Fitzgerald's answer to the first question, keep in mind he enjoyed his playing days when Darnell Autry averaged 28 carries per game for the 1995-96 Big Ten champs.

"We'll do what we have to do to win," said the fourth-year NU coach. "And if that means we have to (pass) 175 times, then that's what we'll do. I'm not saying that's what I want to do. That's what we're going to do."

Sounds like Fitzgerald plans on senior quarterback Mike Kafka putting up 50 passes against the Hoosiers, who boast the Big Ten's worst pass-efficiency defense.

But wait. Check out Fitzgerald's answer to the second question.

Apparently the Michigan State videotape showed improvement by NU's maligned line.

"I thought that our offensive line is two or three things away from us popping the ball," Fitzgerald said. "We had (redshirt freshman) Neal Deiters out there starting his first game (at right tackle). I thought big Neal responded well.

"I thought (sophomore center) Ben Burkett played his best game of the year. And I thought (left tackle) Al (Netter) was pretty steady."

Northwestern's running backs finished with 34 yards on 8 carries against Michigan State. The quarterbacks had 46 net yards on their 20 carries, though that included 4 sacks that lost 20 yards.

For the season, the Wildcats rank 10th in the Big Ten and 97th (out of 120 teams) nationally with 116.6 rushing yards per game.

Injuries mounting: Northwestern entered the preseason with eight returning starters on defense, including crucial seniors Corey Wootton, Brendan Smith, Brad Phillips and Sherrick McManis.

McManis missed almost three full games with a leg injury. Smith broke his left thumb on Oct. 10, didn't play at Michigan State and won't play this week.

Wootton's knee and ankle essentially have kept him out of three games, including the last two. Sophomore Kevin Watt (Glenbard West) seems likely to make his third straight start on Saturday. Phillips, who battled through several annoying injuries to be the only senior to make every start, left the MSU game with a shoulder injury.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Monday that Phillips, who missed spring ball after undergoing surgery to fix a torn labrum, is considered day-to-day.

Carter pledges: According to WildcatReport.com, Northwestern received an oral commitment from Loyola defensive end Chance Carter.

Rivals.com ranks Carter as the state of Illinois' No. 14 prospect and a three-star recruit. He's the first of NU's 11 commitments to hail from Illinois.

The Wildcats are getting close to wrapping up their recruiting as they have just 13 seniors on scholarship.