The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Northwestern – INSIDE SLANT
Pat Fitzgerald offered a fair statement in his Monday press conference, saying he expected tailback Venric Mark to play in Saturday’s game with Michigan State, that following an undisclosed injury he suffered against Michigan. Mark one-upped his coach, shaking off the notion he could miss any time.
“I’m going to play,” Mark told the media on Tuesday. “It’s a given.
Mark left Saturday’s 38-31 loss to Michigan after being tackled in overtime. He was helped off the field and did not return.
On the season, Mark has amounted 1,176 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while becoming a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, handed out to the nation’s top running back. Northwestern will need its star runner when it travels to Michigan State to face a dominating defense.
“We’re positive about it,” sophomore center Brandon Vitabile said. “I know what (observers) know; you see out there how much of a fighter (Mark) is and how much he wants to be out there, he loves it and we love having him out there.”
However, the status of Northwestern’s top cornerback, Nick VanHoose, remains uncertain for Saturday’s game. The redshirt freshman has not played since suffering a shoulder injury during the Nebraska game.
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald was close to playing VanHoose against Michigan, but believed it was best for him to sit out. Instead, cornerback Daniel Jones took his place. He will be evaluated during the week before a decision is made.
“He was close last week, but we made the decision that was right for him,” Fitzgerald said of VanHoose. “We’ll see how he progresses this week. I’ve got to see some things in practice. More importantly, he needs to see some things in practice. He’s grinding at it.”
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NCAAF Team Report – Northwestern – NOTES, QUOTES
–Coach Pat Fitzgerald indicated on Monday that his Wildcats responded well following the loss. He updated that claim by saying Tuesday’s practice was the group’s best effort yet.
–Given Saturday’s loss, Northwestern is eliminated from contention in the Legends Division. Without fourth-quarter collapses to Nebraska and Michigan, it would be a different story. Now, the Wildcats are fighting for a place in the bowl pecking order.
–With a Venric Mark three-yard touchdown run, Northwestern became the first team this season to score a touchdown against Michigan on its first offensive possession of the game.
–Northwestern has scored in double figures offensively in 70 consecutive games.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads Northwestern 36-16 (last meeting, 2011, 31-17 Michigan State)
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Northwestern has added a new wrinkle to its offensive attack, inserting its “superback” position — an H-Back hybrid — into the backfield, forming a two-back set. Both superbacks, Dan Vitale and Tim Riley, are converted running backs. It’s just another way the Wildcats are looking to maximize talent with their schemes.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: One of the season’s greatest surprises for Northwestern has been its tremendous play on the defensive line, which has benefitted the rest of the defense. As a result, the Wildcats’ linebackers continue to produce big numbers this season. The questions, though, remain in the secondary.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re close. This young team is growing up.” — Coach Pat Fitzgerald, on where the Northwestern program stands.
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NCAAF Team Report – Northwestern – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK’S GAME: Northwestern at Michigan State, Nov. 17 — There is still plenty on the line as Michigan State and Northwestern are likely fighting for a spot in the Gator Bowl, the last prestigious New Year’s Day Bowl that both have a decent shot of reaching. Michigan State has dominated in recent years, but these two teams tend to produce some of the most exciting games each year in the Big Ten.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The Wildcats must put behind last week’s tough loss at Michigan and be focused for a well-rested Michigan State squad which is coming off a bye.
PLAYER NOTES:
RB Venric Mark — Notched 104 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries against the Wolverines. It was Mark’s seventh 100-yard game this season, and put him at 1,176 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.
LB Chi Chi Ariguzo — Caused and recovered a fumble in the first half — his third caused fumble of the year and his first recovery.
PK Jeff Budzien — Hit a 34-yard field goal at Michigan, making him 12-of-13 kicking this season — his sole miss came late in the game against Nebraska.
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Venric Mark will start on Saturday, following an injury which forced him out of the Wildcats’ game with Michigan.
–QB Kain Colter was limping following the loss to Michigan. No update has been provided on his status, though he did finish the game.
–CB Nick VanHoose is questionable to play in Saturday’s game with Michigan State. He will be evaluated throughout the week of practice.
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