Before taking the field next year, the Northwestern defense should make sure to watch the second half of last season’s game against Purdue.

Everything those Wildcats want to remember — and forget — from last year occurred at Ross-Ade Stadium that warm September day.

From linebacker Kevin Bentley’s stunning interception return to a backbreaking 99-yard bomb from Heisman-hopeful Drew Brees, the inconsistency of NU’s defense was displayed for all to see — a trend that continued for the rest of the season.

Entering this year, the memories of games like that 31-23 loss to Purdue will determine the Cats’ 2000 campaign. That’s because the outlook on defense hasn’t changed much from last year, as NU returns nine starters and one of the better linebacker corps in the Big Ten.

The middle line of defense will likely determine the Cats’ success, with junior outside linebackers Bentley and Napoleon Harris flanking junior Billy Silva. The linebackers paced the NU defense last year, as Bentley led the conference with 148 tackles and Harris — third in the conference in tackles — added three sacks and two forced fumbles.

“The linebackers are the leaders,” Harris said. “It’s sort of like the quarterback position on offense. We know we are the leaders on defense and we’re going to take charge this year.”

Added Bentley: “I believe we have the best linebacking corps in the Big Ten and one of the top five in the nation. It’s going to be a good season for all three of us.”

The most important statistic going into next season may be the 32 combined games played by Bentley, Harris and Silva. They started the final three games together, facing some of the toughest offenses in the conference in Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois.

Although all three are capable of making strong individual plays, the strength of the Cats’ linebackers is how well they work together. With each player striving in one facet of the game, the unit’s effectiveness is enhanced, Harris said.

“All of us bring leadership capability to the field,” Harris said. “Kevin brings power and aggressiveness, I bring speed and agility and Billy brings the headiness to the group. He knows everything in and out.”

One of the few key changes in NU’s defense is senior Conrad Emmerich’s move from middle linebacker to right defensive end. Emmerich, who finished sixth in tackles with 65, will anchor the Cats’ pass rush with senior defensive end Dwayne Missouri, who led the team with five sacks.

And pass rush was a problem area for NU last year. The Cats were 10th in the conference with just 19 sacks — 34 behind league-leader Michigan State.

“I felt (Emmerich) was a great athlete as a linebacker, and he’s bulked up so I feel he’ll be even better at the defensive end position,” senior cornerback Harold Blackmon said. “He’s very aggressive, very quick off the ball and he will cause a lot of problems in a lot of backfields next season.”

Coach Randy Walker agreed: “We’ve got three proven players there. The cupboard’s not bare in there. I really think our ends (Missouri and Emmerich) are going to be a force.

The toughest test for the NU defense will be using the experience it gained from last year to limit opponents’ big plays. On several occasions, the defense looked strong for a quarter or so before a mental lapse would yield a long touchdown.

The Cats allowed four touchdown passes of more than 50 yards last season, solidifying their No. 9 ranking in the Big Ten in total defense and scoring defense. With its focus on stopping the big play, NU looks to each player to take on a great deal of individual responsibility in order to improve.

“We have a saying to, ‘Do your job and your job only,'” Blackmon said. “The coaches feel that is a way to eliminate big plays if we are concerned about ourselves before trying to help someone else.”

For the NU seniors, the 2000 season is the last chance to resurrect a tenure filled with frustration and disappointment. Yet Blackmon enters his final year with confidence that the veteran Cats can surprise some of their higher-rated opponents.

“To me, it’s never an upset to beat good teams because I’ve played and I’ve started and I know the difference between every team,” Blackmon said. “It’s never an upset when a team wins; that team is just more prepared.”