Wildcats’ Peterman shows he’s a multitasker
When Northwestern receiver Eric Peterman ran to the sideline in Saturday’s 48-26 victory over Purdue, running back Tyrell Sutton wondered what Peterman’s next feat would be. Peterman was a difference-making multitasker with a touchdown reception and a TD pass.
“I asked him if he was going to run for one next,” Sutton said. “He’d done everything else.”
The receiver put Northwestern (6-1, 2-1) on the scoreboard first with a 45-yard touchdown reception from quarterback C.J. Bacher. Peterman later threw a 30-yard scoring pass to Sidney Stewart, wholooked a bit like an outfielder waiting for a fly ball.
“It was fun going back to my glory days as a high school quarterback,” Peterman said.
“Eric is like a lot of our seniors,” coach Pat Fizgerald said. “The leadership … has been outstanding.”
— Shannon Ryan
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Freshman Ford joins Illini’s crowded backfield
Illinois has added to its offensive repertoire by making running back Jason Ford an integral part of the attack. The freshman from Belleville, Ill., came off the bench Saturday night to rush for 172 yards and three touchdowns in the 55-13 victory over Indiana at Memorial Stadium.
However, coach Ron Zook said Sunday he still sees the rushing attack as a committee. Freshman Mikel LeShoure started Saturday, and leading rusher Daniel Dufrene, who has started five times, got much of the early work before Ford took over. Troy Pollard also is in the mix.
“I don’t see it changing,” Zook said. “They have different strengths and weaknesses. It doesn’t make any difference who starts.”
But Ford is now in a position to finish more often.
— Terry Bannon
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Bulls’ rotation remains a work in progress
On Oct. 10 in Ft. Wayne, Ind., coach Vinny Del Negro said he hoped to have the Bulls’ regular-season rotation set by the “fourth or fifth” exhibition game.
Because of widespread injuries, that hasn’t happened. Couple that with a new offensive system and the result is 18 turnovers to just 12 assists, as the Bulls had Saturday against Utah.
“We have guys playing in somewhat different positions,” guard Larry Hughes said. “We have to be productive [even though] we’re learning. But we have to establish our roles and know who’s going to start and finish the games.”
— K.C. Johnson
