Game Ten: Ohio State 48, Northwestern 7 (final)

BB73 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2005, 08:04 AM

ChicagoSports.com is reporting that CB/KR Jeff Backes is ending his football career due to a shoulder injury. Backes is from Upper Arlington, and was Ohio's Mr. Football in 2000. He redshirted in 2001, and was a 1st team Academic All-American in 2004. Here's a link to his NW bio for those interested:

NW.backes

BB73 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 12:05 PM

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Head coach: Randy Walker
7th year at Northwestern: 30-41
16th year overall: 89-76-5
Returning O Lettermen: 16
Returning D Lettermen: 18
Returning ST Lettermen: 3
Lettermen Lost: 17

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Ten Best Wildcat Players

1. DE Loren Howard, Sr.
2. OT Zach Strief, Sr.
3. LB Tim McGarigle, Sr.
4. DT Barry Cofield, Sr.
5. WR Mark Philmore, Sr.
6. LB Nick Roach, Jr.
7. QB Brett Basanez, Sr.
8. WR Jonathan FIelds, Sr.
9. RB Terrell Jordan, Sr.
10. CB Marquice Cole, Jr.

</TD></TR><CENTER><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=18><TABLE id=table17 width=160><TBODY><TR><TD align=left width=146 bgColor=#660066 colSpan=2>2005 Schedule

CFN Prediction: 4-7
Preview 2005 predicted wins

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>9/3</TD><TD align=left width=123>Ohio</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>9/10</TD><TD align=left width=123>Northern Illinois</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>9/17</TD><TD align=left width=123>at Arizona State</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>9/24</TD><TD align=left width=123>Penn State</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>10/8</TD><TD align=left width=123>Wisconsin</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>10/15</TD><TD align=left width=123>at Purdue</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>10/22</TD><TD align=left width=123>at Michigan State</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>10/29</TD><TD align=left width=123>Michigan</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>11/5</TD><TD align=left width=123>Iowa</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>11/12</TD><TD align=left width=123>at Ohio State</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=27>11/19</TD><TD align=left width=123>at Illinois</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></CENTER><CENTER></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE id=table13 height=299 cellSpacing=0 width=169><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#660066>2004 Schedule

CFN Prediction: 3-9
2004 Record: 6-6

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left width=163 bgColor=#ffffff>Preview 2004 predicted wins <TABLE id=table16><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>9/2</TD><TD>at TCU L 48-45 2OT</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/11</TD><TD>Arizona St L 30-21</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/18</TD><TD>Kansas W 20-17</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/25</TD><TD>at Minnesota L 45-17</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/2</TD><TD>Ohio State W 33-27 OT</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/9</TD><TD>Indiana W 31-24 2OT</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/23</TD><TD>at Wisconsin L 24-12</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/30</TD><TD>Purdue W 13-10</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/6</TD><TD>at Penn State W 14-7</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/13</TD><TD>at Michigan L 42-20</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/20</TD><TD>Illinois W 28-21 OT</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/27</TD><TD>at Hawaii L 49-41</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><CENTER></CENTER><CENTER></CENTER><CENTER></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width=157 bgColor=#ffffff height=21>
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By Pete Fiutak
Northwestern has created a nice little niche for itself in the Big Ten world under head coach Randy Walker. Now this team has to be viewed as a threat to the giants with a classic overtime win over Ohio State and a win over Purdue and with wins over the last few years against very good Wisconsin and Michigan teams. Now Northwestern has to be a steady bowl program. Yes, it can be that good, at least once in a while.

Unlike other great academic, big conference schools in a similar positions like Duke, Vanderbilt and Stanford, Northwestern has established a dangerous home field advantage, despite rarely playing in front of full crowds. Also unlike those other schools in limited situations, Northwestern has been strong on the lines allowing everything else to work from there.

With those great lines, the Wildcats have the talent in place for a good season led by Loren Howard and Barry Cofield on defense and Zach Strief, Trevor Rees and Dylan Thiry on offense. The receiving corps could be the best in school history, and is certainly among the deepest, and has a veteran in Brett Basanez to deliver the ball. As always, the ground game should be strong with the combination of Terrell Jordan and Brandon Roberson.

So really, how well can this year's team do? It won't win the title in the loaded Big Ten, but it's certainly good enough to come up with a winning season, get to a bowl game, and ruin the hopes of one or two of the main contenders along the way. However ...

The Schedule: ... the schedule isn't going to be easy. Missing Indiana from the Big Ten slate is a horrible break, but not getting Minnesota this year isn't a bad thing. The MAC games against Ohio and Northern Illinois to open the season have to be wins with an almost sure loss at Arizona State to follow. The Big Ten schedule opens up against Penn State and Wisconsin; both are tough, but winnable. And then comes the problem: at Purdue, at Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa and at Ohio State. Consider it a rousing success if the Wildcats can come out of that stretch with two wins before closing out at Illinois.

Best Offensive Player: Senior OT Zach Strief. He's big, athletic, and tough. One of the nation's best run blocking tackles will be the key cog in what should be one of the Big Ten's most successful attacks.

Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Loren Howard. Linebacker Tim McGarigle will try to force his way on to All-Big Ten teams, but it's the 285-pound Howard, who's back at 100% from an ankle injury that sidelined him in the first half of last year, who'll be the defense's top player.

Key player to a successful season: Sophomore FS Reggie McPherson. The corners, Jeff Backes and Marquice Cole, are as fast as any in the country and will be solid as the year goes on. The improvement of the lousy pass defense has to come from the safeties, most specifically, McPherson at free safety.

The season will be a success if ... Northwestern gets back to a bowl game. Six wins with this schedule will be a major accomplishment. The talent is there to do more, but there will need to be a few major breaks along the way to get to the 7-to-8 win mark.

Key game: September 24th vs. Penn State. The Wildcats have to be rock solid at home and could use the confidence boost of beating Penn State and its brick wall of a defense in the Big Ten opener. A loss means the following week's game against Wisconsin will have to be a must-win; that's not a good position to be in.

2004 Fun Stats:
- Second quarter scoring: Opponents 134 - Northwestern 51- Time of possession: Opponents 32:17 - Northwestern 27:43
- Sacks: Northwestern 23 for 128 yards - Opponents 12 for 69 yardsOffense Breakdown and Analysis | Defense Breakdown and Analysis
- Depth Chart

<HR>2005 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class
Chris Jeske LB 6-1 230 Joliet (Catholic) Ill.
SuperPrep All-Midwest Region and Rivals.com Top 20 linebacker ... Chicago Sun-Times Illinois Player of the Year ... Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Champaign News-Gazette, Daily Southtown and IHSFCA 5A first-team all-state selection ... Also named Player of the Year by WJOL and the Daily Southtown ... Ranked 13th nationally among inside linebackers by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report ... Named state's Co-Defensive Player of the Year by Illinois Prep Spotlight (Edgytim.com) ... Prep Nation 101 All-American and Old Spice Red Zone All-American teams ... Ranked 19th nationally among inside linebackers by Rivals.com ... Rated No. 12 (Rivals.com) and 19 (SuperPrep) in Illinois player rankings ... East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Player of the Year in 2004 and league's 2003 Defensive Player of the Year ... Hard-hitting linebacker who led JCA to three consecutive Illinois Class 5A state championships ... Team was ranked No. 1 in state his senior year ... The Hilltoppers also were ranked nationally in 2004 ... JCA went 41-4 from 2002-04, while winning the school's 10th, 11th and 12th state titles ... In three-plus seasons (played five games as a freshman), totaled 508 tackles (333 solos) and 15 sacks

Instant Impact Players
Andrew Brewer QB/DB 6-2 195 Jenks (Jenks) Okla.
Named an all-state quarterback by the Daily Oklahoman, Tulsa World and the Oklahoma Coaches Association ... Led prep power Jenks to the Class 6A state title game in both 2003 and 2004 ... The Trojans won the state championship in 2003 (12-2) ... Went 12-1 his senior year, with the loss coming in the championship game ... SuperPrep All-Midlands Region team ... Ranked 47th in SuperPrep's region player rankings and ninth in the state ... Ranked 11th in the state by Rivals.com ... For career, threw for 3,705 yards (220-of-407), 45 touchdowns and 16 interceptions ... Also rushed for 1,081 yards (on 187 carries, 5.8 ypc) and 12 touchdowns ... Team captain ... 2004 District Co-Player of the Year ... Playing in the Oklahoma High School All-Star game in July, 2005 as well as the Oil Bowl (Oklahoma vs. Texas all-stars) ... Also played safety and registered 18 tackles and two interceptions in 2004 ... One of his best throwing performances came against Ponca City: 12-of-16 for 237 yards and three TDs ... Versus Muskogee, totaled 163 passing yards (three TDs) and 165 rushing yards (1 TD) ... Also helped the Trojans to a state title in track and field ... A 2004 NSIC All-American in the 4x400 relay

Omar Conteh RB 6-0 195 Cypress (Cypress-Fairbanks) Texas
Rated as the country's 45th-best running back by Rivals.com ... Two-time first-team all-district (2003 and '04) and a 2004 second-team all-region running back ... Turned in one of Texas' top single-season performances by rushing for 2,130 yards (268 carries, 7.9 ypc) and 29 touchdowns for the 7-3 Bobcats ... Ran for a career-high 390 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-15 win over Jersey Village ... Two-time team MVP (2003 and '04) ... Team captain ... Also caught nine passes for 138 yards (15.3 ypr) and two touchdowns ... Won district track and field titles in the long and triple jumps his junior year

Rest of the Class

<TABLE id=table18 width=445 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Malcolm Arrington</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>LB</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-2</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>215</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Orchard Lake (St. Mary's)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Mich.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Thomas Bemenderfer</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>DL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-5</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>250</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Mishawaka (Penn)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Tyler Compton</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>OL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-5</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>270</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Humble (Humble)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Texas</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Ramon Diaz</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>OL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-4</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>280</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Morris (Morris)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Ill.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Mike Dinard</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>LB</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-2</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>220</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Parma (Padua Franciscan)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Ohio</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>John Gill</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>OL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-3</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>285</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>San Jose (Bellarmine)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Calif.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Adam Hahn</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>DL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-4</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>245</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Hartford (Hartford)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Wis.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Mike Kafka</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>QB</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-4</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>195</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Chicago (St. Rita)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Ill.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Keegan Kennedy</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>DL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-3</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>240</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>West Palm Beach (Cardinal Newman)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Fla.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Prince Kwateng</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>LB</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-1</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>210</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Munster (Munster)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>-</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Kurt Mattes</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>OL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-6</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>265</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Plymouth (Wyoming Valley)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Pa.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Eric Peterman</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>QB</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-2</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>200</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Ill.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Brendan Smith</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>DB</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-0</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>210</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>New Hampton (New Hampton Prep)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>N.H.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Tyrell Sutton</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>RB</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>5-8</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>185</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Akron (Archbishop Hoban)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Ohio</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Desmond Taylor</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>DL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-3</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>260</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Los Angeles (Loyola)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Calif.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Rasheed Ward</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>WR</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-0</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>160</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Chicago (Harper)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>Ill.</TD></TR><TR><TD width=140 bgColor=#ffffff>Corey Wootton</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>DL</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>6-7</TD><TD width=30 bgColor=#ffffff>255</TD><TD width=215 bgColor=#ffffff>Ramsey (Don Bosco Prep)</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#ffffff>N.J.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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Preview 2005

Northwestern offense

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD width=650 bgColor=#ffffff><HR>2005 Northwestern Preview | Defense Breakdown and Analysis | Depth Chart | Further Analysis

Basically ... Consistency was a problem last year and there weren't enough points scored against most of the good defenses, but it was still the nation's 29th ranked offense and it should crack the top 25 this year. The passing game will be one of the Big Ten's best with veteran quarterback Brett Basanez working with an experienced and deep receiving corps. Terrell Jordan and Brandon Robinson will combine to keep the running game rolling behind Zach Strief and a good line. The guards are a bit of a question mark, but that's nitpicking.

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Returning Leaders

Passing: Brett Basanez
247-450, 2,838 yds, 12 TD, 9 INT
Rushing: Terrell Jordan
65 carries for 315 yds and 3 TDs
Receiving: Mark Philmore
54 catches for 633 yds and 2 TDs

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Star of the offense: Senior OT Zach Strief

Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior OG Joe Tripodi
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore OT Dylan Thiry
Best pro prospect: Strief
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Strief, 2) WR Mark Philmore, 3) QB Brett Basanez
Strength of the offense: Wide receiver, tackle
Weakness of the offense: Guard, proven backup quarterback

Quarterbacks

Brett Basanez has his faults and will occasionally throw a really, really bad pass at the worst of times, but he's five wins away from becoming Northwestern's all-time winningest quarterback and looks ready to be one of the Big Ten's best quarterbacks now that he's healthy after a shoulder problem. Backup C.J. Bacher appears more than ready to step in if needed.Player to keep an eye on: C.J. Bacher, RFr. ... Quarterback Rating: 7Projected Starter
- Brett Basanez, Sr. - Talk about your night-and-day improvement, Basanez, who has started 28 straight games, became a more accomplished, confident passer throwing for 2,838 yards and 12 touchdowns despite a banged up shoulder. However, he was consistent at throwing picks with at least one in eight games, but he was far more accurate than he was in a rough 2003 season. When he gets hot, he's tough to stop starting out the year with a 513-yard, four touchdown day against TCU and finishing with a 319-yard day against Hawaii, but both were in losses. He's not much of a runner, but he's mobile with 11 career touchdown runs and 573 yards.

Top Backup
- C.J. Bacher, RFr. - Bacher had a great spring showing good accuracy and a great command of the offense for a redshirt freshman. He's a good runner with good speed and nice size at 6-2 and 190 pounds.

Running Backs

Northwestern is one of the nation's undderrated running back factories in recent years going back to Darnell Autry and Damien Anderson, while Jason Wright and Noah Herron were big-time producers over the last two years. Terrell Jordan will likely be the opening day starter, but Brandon Roberson has the best skills and will eventually be a 1,000-yard back. The Big Ten's third best rushing attack last year will keep on rolling.
Player to keep an eye on: Brandon Roberson, Soph. ... Running back rating: 7

Projected Starters
- Terrell Jordan, Sr. - The senior has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over the last few years with 568 yards rushing for 315 yards and three scores last season. He has great quickness, good power and decent hands, but he's trying to get over a hamstring problem and has to prove he can be a workhorse.
- Fullback Frayne Abernathy, Soph. - At 6-3 and 245 pounds, Abernathy is a big blocker taking over the job with Erryn Cobb moving to tight end. The Northwestern fullback is called an R-Back used as a second tight end as well as a fullback, and Aberanathy has the skills to do both.

Top Backups
- Brandon Roberson, Soph. - One of the starts of spring ball, Roberson will get every chance to win the starting job this fall. He's not a pounding back at 5-9 and 195 pounds, but he can move and has special skills. At Pearland High School in Houston, he ran for 5,232 yards and 65 touchdowns.
- Fullback Chris Malleo, Soph. - The 6-3, 220-pound sophomore moved over from quarterback and showed surprising toughness and good running ability this spring. He'll start out behind Frank Abernathy, but he'll be used early and often for his all-around skills.

Receivers

There isn't a superstar to make a splash on a national scale (although Mark Philmore will likely come close), but this will be one of the Big Ten's steadiest, most reliable receiving corps with four excellent veterans in Mark Philmore, Brandon Horn, Jonathan Fields and Shaun Herbert, and electrifying young talents like Kim Thompson and T.J. Jones. This could turn out to be the best Wildcat receiving corps ever if everyone comes through as hoped.
Player to keep an eye on: Kim Thompson, Soph. ... Receiver rating: 8.5

Projected Starters
- Mark Philmore, Sr. - The team's leading receiver despite only playing in eight games suffering a knee injury late in the year, Philmore caught 54 passes for 633 yards and two touchdowns earning honorable mention Big Ten accolades. He's an aggressive receiver who's great at outdueling defensive backs. He'll start at the X.
- Brandon Horn, Sr. - The 6-1, 220-pound senior is physical with enough speed to be a deep threat, but he only averaged 8.5 yards per catch with 24 grabs for 205 yards and two touchdowns. With his experience, he should be a steady player on the inside Z position.
- Jonathan Fields, Sr. - Fields finished second on the team with 48 catches for 560 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns. He's one of the team's fastest players and should be more of a home-run hitter as the H-Back.
- Tight End Erryn Cobb, Jr. - Tight ends and fullbacks mostly do the same thing in the Wildcat offense, but Cobb, a former fullback, will be more of a true tight end. He's 6-1, 255 pounds and a physical blocker. He has also seen time at linebacker.

Top Backups
- Shaun Herbert, Jr. - Herbert is a seasoned veteran with 42 career catches for 570 yards, but he's not much of a scorer with only one touchdown. Even so, he's reliable on the H and at 6-1 and 200 pounds is a bigger option at the H than Jonathan Fields.- Kim Thompson, Soph. - At 6-4 and 195 pounds, Thompson is the biggest target in the mix with track star speed. He'll start out behind Brandon Horn at the Z position coming off an 11-catch, 122-yard, one touchdown season, but he'll quickly grow into one of the team's best weapons.
- T.J. Jones, Soph. - Jones is a good-sized, physical receiver who should play more of a role than on special teams. He'll be the understudy at the outside X position behind Mark Philmore.

Offensive Line

Depth will be an issue and a steady left guard needs to emerge, but there's not much else to complain about. The tackles might turn out to be among the best in the Big Ten if Dylan Thiry plays like he did this spring. Tackle Zach Strief needs to be Big Ten's best lineman as the anchor of the rebuilding group. The guards will be iffy early on needing time and more reps. Even so, this group shouldn't be too much worse than the one that paved the way for 2,065 rushing yards and only allowed 12 sacks.
Player to keep an eye on: Dylan Thiry, Soph. ... Offensive line rating: 6.5

Projected Starters
- Tackle Zach Strief, Sr. - The 6-7, 335-pound senior is one of the Big Ten's best offensive linemen and will be on many All-America short lists. He's a dominant run blocker who does everything well as the one the team runs behind for key yards. He's a good pass protector, but has average feet. Even so, he's a great athlete for his size.
- Guard Ryan Keenan, Jr. - The former tight end and defensive lineman bulked up and is now an athletic 6-4, 290-pound guard. He has had some knee problems, but he appears ready for a breakout season on the right side.
- Center Adam Crum, Soph. - With the academic suspension of Trevor Rees, it'll be up to the 280 pound sophomore to fill the void. He has seen practice time at guard, but will be more needed now in the middle.
- Guard Joe Tripodi, Jr. - One of the few uncertainties of the offense, the 6-3, 300-pound junior will combine with Austin Matthews for the left guard job. Tripodi is a bit bigger, but he's still working the kinks out after being banged up for most of his career.
- Tackle Dylan Thiry, Soph. - Arguably the team's best blocker this spring, the 6-8, 300-pound sophomore is a lock for All-Big Ten honors at some point in his career. He's still a little raw and needs more time and more reps, but he'll be a great on on the left side taking over for Trai Essex.

Top Backups

- C Trevor Rees, Jr. - A starter from early on with a string of 21 straight starts, the 6-2, 285-pound junior has been a steady force in the middle and is great on the move. However, he has been suspended for academic reasons and likely won't be eligible this fall.
- G Austin Matthews, Soph. - He was a decent backup last year and will rotate at left guard with Joe Tripodi. He has room to get a little bigger and stronger even though he's already 6-5 and 285 pounds.
- T Alex Rucks,RFr. - While he won't see too much action playing behind Zach Strief at right tackle, he's a good athlete with great potential. He'll spend this year as an understudy, and then he should be a solid starter in 2006.

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Preview 2005

Northwestern defense

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD width=650 bgColor=#ffffff><HR>2005 Northwestern Preview | Offense Breakdown and Analysis | Depth Chart | Further Analysis

Basically ...The potential is there for a good year after struggling away from Evanston. The return of end Loren Howard, corner Marquice Cole and linebacker Adam Kadela from the injury problems of last year will be a big help. The line should be a rock against the run with excellent size, while the linebacking corps has two All-Big Ten talents in Tim McGarigle and Nick Roach to build around. There's not a sure-thing pass rusher on the line meaning the fast corners will have to be better in coverage to improve a shaky pass defense.

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Returning Leaders

Tackles: Tim McGarigle, 151
Sacks: Nick Roach, 5
Interceptions: Jeff Backes, Brian Heinz, Tim McGarigle, 1

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Star of the defense: Senior DE Loren Howard

Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore FS Reggie McPherson
Unsung star on the rise: Junior CB Marquice Cole
Best pro prospect: Howard
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Howard, 2) LB Tim McGarigle, 3) DT Barry Cofield
Strength of the defense: Run defense, cornerback speed
Weakness of the defense: Pass rush, safety

Defensive Line

This should be a great run defense with excellent bulk up front and decent prospects in reserve ready to rotate in. There's a big boost from the return of end Loren Howard to be the leader up front and the one who'll get all the attention. Barry Cofield is an All-Big Ten talent at tackle. There isn't a true pass rusher needing to get in the backfield with strength, not speed. It would be nice to have one athletic speed rusher to count on.
Player to keep an eye on: DT Trevor Schultz, Jr. ... Defensive Line rating: 7

Projected Starters
- DE Loren Howard, Sr. - 22 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 quarterback hurries ... One of the nation's best ends, Howard missed the first half of last year trying to get over an ankle injury, but he came back and was lose to being his dominant old self. He's 6-4, 285 pounds and a fast pass rusher. He has 171 career tackles, 34 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He appears to be fine after all of his ankle problems and with a tendonitis problem in his knee.
- DT Barry Cofield, Sr. - 52 t