As rain fell on Saturday, the Wildcats did their best impression of an Arena Football League team.
Northwestern took to the Trienens Practice Facility, a 60-yard indoor field in the Nicolet Center, for the annual Purple-White spring game to prevent potential injuries because of the
inclement weather.
With a crowd of about 500 watching from the field — the last 10 yards were roped off for spectators — NU played what was essentially a scrimmage, mixing first- and second-teamers. The Cats ran about 80 plays but didn’t keep score.
“We really wanted to be outside,” tailback Jason Wright said. “We heard the news, a big ‘Boo’ went up in the locker room.”
The game was mostly an exhibition of the Cats’ high-powered offense, which was full of new looks, including split-backs, I formations and two-tight end sets. And naturally, the Cats showed their standard four wideout spread offense, too.
All four quarterbacks took snaps, with starter Tony Stauss and redshirt freshman Brett Basanez getting the majority of the time on the field.
Stauss went 7-for-12 for 95 yards passing and threw a touchdown and two interceptions. Basanez was 5 of 11 for 72 yards, two touchdown passes and 62 yards rushing.
But the big surprise was the play of incoming freshman Alexander Webb, who completed 6 of 7 passes for 51 yards. Webb graduated early from Highland Park High School in Dallas and enrolled at NU to participate in spring practices with the Cats. Webb also collected 23 yards on the ground and rushed for two touchdowns.
Webb seemingly had moved up the quarterback ladder, getting five more snaps than junior Matt Danielson.
“Boy, he’s got a lot of poise,” NU head coach Randy Walker said, referring to Webb. “He’s made the battle interesting. I’m not ready to make a decision, I don’t have to make a decision right now.”
Junior wide receiver Ronnie Foster was perfect in the game as he caught two passes, both of which went for touchdowns. Eric Batis was the leading receiver with 49 yards. After Basanez was sacked by freshman defensive end DeMaris Wilson, he rebounded with a 42-yard pass to Batis.
The other position up for grabs, running back, was also showcased in the spring game. Redshirt freshman Jeff Backes was the leading rusher with 64 yards on seven carries. Wright, who Walker proclaimed the No. 1 back in the spring, had just 24 yards.
But the tailbacks weren’t the only players running. The quarterbacks did their fair share of scrambling, racking up a combined 91 yards in the game.
Stauss said the quarterback run will continue to be a focus of the NU offense, even with the loss of former quarterback Zak Kustok to graduation. Kustok was the Cats’ second-leading rusher last season, gaining 580 yards on the ground and scoring 11 touchdowns.
Despite grabbing three interceptions — Marvin Ward, Braden Jones and Doug Szymul each had one — the NU defense was less than impressive, allowing 10 touchdowns. But NU showed several new plays, most notably cornerback blitzes.
Middle linebacker Pat Durr wasn’t happy with the play on his side of the ball.
“I was disappointed with the way we didn’t bounce back from adversity,” Durr said. “The offense made a couple big plays and you look around and guys are hanging their heads. We can’t have that.
“Maybe guys’ minds weren’t on practice. Maybe guys were thinking about going out tonight. I really don’t know.”
Durr said opposing offenses should see more blitzes from the Cats during the 2002 season, both from the defensive backs in nickel packages and from the linebackers.
“That’s what (defensive coordinator Greg) Colby likes to do, he likes to bring pressure and get in people’s faces,” said Durr, the only starting linebacker returning from last season.
And apparently, the senior likes the new defensive schemes — especially the blitzes.
“I don’t mind that at all,” Durr said. “I like to bring some heat.”
