Gone are the days when the Wildcat offense scored 30, 40, even 50 points on a regular basis. This is Pat Fitzgerald football.
In Northwestern’s 2000 Big Ten Championship season, the Cats were 8-0 when scoring 30 points, and 0-4 when scoring less. Last year, the Cats scored 30 points only 4 times, winning only two. In ten years the Wildcats have evolved from the godfather of the Big Ten spread offense to a team that wins with defense and safe, yet efficient offense.
Don’t get me wrong, the Cats will still run the spread; and often will run the hurry-up, or “Fastball” offense. But the reliance on offense to win games is a thing of the past. Fitz-ball is here to stay.
So who is going to lead the offense this year? Some familiar names, some new faces, and some guys that you will know by Thanksgiving. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown.
QB: Prince of Persa; or Court Jester?
Dan Persa witnessed the lowest lows and highest highs in his limited action in 2009. When starting QB Mike Kafka was injured against Penn State, the Wildcat offense was controlling the field. An inexperienced Persa entered the game, and the offense sputtered. The defense kept it close, but Penn State finally broke through and won 34-13, in a game that truly was much closer than the score dictated.
One week later, Persa lead the Cats to an upset over previously undefeated Iowa, in the signature win of the season. Persa played smart, conservative football – the type of game that Pat Fitzgerald loves. And the type of game Cat fans hope to see next year.
Persa may be the best runner of the dual-threat quarterbacks that NU has seen over the last 10 years. But for him to be effective, he is going to need to be able to throw. He seems to have an accurate arm, even where his arm strength is lacking. The big question is whether his timing and ability to read defenses will be up to par with what is expected in the NU offense.
While past NU quarterbacks have hardly been world-burners, Persa is the next in a long line of quarterbacks who have had careers after NU. Gavin Hoffman, Zak Kustok, Brett Basanez, CJ Bacher, and now Mike Kafka have all earned paychecks playing football. The prototypical quarterback in this offense can read a defense quickly and either hand-off (in the read option), run, or find the quick receiver. Persa’s ability to react when he misses his read, or misreads the defense, will be critical to the Cats success in 2010.
Persa should benefit from the team that is on the field around him. An experienced line and a stable of receivers will provide him with ample ability to move the ball. The only question will be...
RB: I'm Thinking Arby?
The past fifteen years have provided Northwestern fans, and opposing defenses, with a consistent line of 1000-yard rushers and future NFL talent. Even the spread offense, assumed by the ignorant to be a passing offense, was developed to assist the running game. Basically, NU has been a run-first offense for quite some time now. But things have begun to change and that has some Wildcat fans concerned.
Arby Fields was expected by some to pick up right where Tyrell Sutton left off -- even inheriting his jersey number. And maybe this was too much to expect of a freshman. He showed signs of high-level play at times, but often struggled to find rhythm and sometimes disappeared from the field for quarters at a time. Arby finished with only 300 yards rushing.
Scott Concannon is a small bruising back with an uncanny ability to squirt through holes. But, similarly, never seemed to put together four quarters worth of quality football. Concannon played in every game, but compiled only 241 yards.
Jacob Schmidt is listed as the backup on the post-spring roster. The former walk-on stared two games at RB, but only finished with 181 yards on 56 carries.
As the search for a feature back continues, a door may have opened for true freshman Adonis Smith. Adonis was one of the best backs in Northern California last year. This is a wide open race and he'll have a shot. If NU gives him a roster spot, as opposed to redshirting him, expect to see Smith as a major component of the offense.
All signs point to a continued use of all backs until someone stands out as the leader. Fields is probably the favorite, and will be given the most opportunities early. But in an offense that is used to dominating running backs, Arby has big shoes to fill.
WR: Restocked and Reloaded
One of the hallmarks of the Northwestern spread offense is a seemingly never-ending train of competent, smart, possession receivers who have a knack for getting open quickly and allowing their QB to do his job. Never a superstar, and rarely knockout numbers, but the Wildcat wide receiver brings his lunch pail to work and gets ready to move the ball. NU was one of the best in the Big 10 in 3rd-down conversions in 2009, largely because of seniors Andrew Brewer, Zeke Markshausen, and this group of returning WRs.
Demetrius Fields has the largest big play potential. He can blaze in open space and will be the Wildcats deep threat. If Persa can work on his deep ball, Fields will be a major weapon. He is listed on the spring depth chart as the "X" receiver, which usually means that he is the go-to guy for Dan Persa.
Sidney Stewart is the teams leading returning receiver with 42 receptions last year. He and Jeremy Ebert will see a majority of the snaps as starters. The Cats are known for a wide rotation of receivers as well, so Charles Brown, Drew Moulton, and Brendan Barber should also see plenty of Ryan Field action.
Tony Jones is the only true Frosh who is likely to see playing time at wideout this season. Also freshman Venric Mark is looking like he may see some time in the return game. This kid can fly and will bring some excitement back to the special teams.
All in all, NU brings back a solid, yet unremarkable group of receivers to the fold. This is a formula that has worked for quite sometime now.
TE (Superback): Bringing Super Back to the Position
NU had not had a solid tight end since Jay Tant in the late nineties. During the 2000's the team toyed around with the "Superback" position, which amounts to basically a hybrid tight end/fullback. The superback has always been a solid, yet silent contributor to the offense. Until now.
Last year, Drake Dunsmore busted onto the scene and was third on the team in receptions and second in the Big 10 among tight ends. Fans around the county will remember his 66-yard TD run against Auburn in the Outback Bowl which personify this unique talent. His strength, speed, hands, and footwork are a prototype of the modern tight end. Drake is the only true All Conference candidate among the skill position players. Expect Drake to continue to play a major role in the offense, especially early in the season as Persa is getting his feet wet.
Josh Rooks will backup Drake and will also see a decent amount of time, especially in short yardage situations as a blocking TE or FB.
OL: Back and Ready for More
The Wildcats offensive line returns five starters from a group that really came together as the year went on. It played its best football in the closing stretch against Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Auburn. If this group continues to gel, the skill players will have plenty of time to do their job.
Across the front is Patrick Ward, Doug Bartels, Ben Burkett, Brian Mulroe, and Al Netter. All returning starters -- and none of them seniors. These guys are the cornerstone of this offense. Fitz preaches teamwork and trusting yourself and others. And nothing personifies this image better than this line. Very exciting things could happen here.
NU's defense, which I will preview in a week or so, will still be the squad counted upon to win games. There are a lot of question marks, particularly at QB and RB. But with 8 returning starters, there is no reason to believe that this offense cannot score the points necessary to put the Cats on New Years Day in 2011.
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