by Sports Xchange

That would have fulfilled the Wildcats' preseason goal, which would've been especially sweet for the team's large, decorated senior class. But the loss allows the 2009 squad to power through offseason workouts and spring ball with some obvious motivation.

Northwestern, after a 9-4 season, believes it continues to be on the rise and that could very well be the case. But the Wildcats are going to have to identify a slew of skill-position players in order to hit the fall schedule running.

The No. 1 question is at running back, where Tyrell Sutton (3,886 yards, 31 TDs) and Omar Conteh (731 yards, 8 TDs) are being graduated. Junior Stephen Simmons, who posted 170 rushing yards and 2 TDs in three late-season starts, is the only Wildcat with any experience. Sophomores Jacob Schmidt (2 carries, 4 yards) and Scott Concannon as well as redshirt freshman Alex Daniel are the other backs available during spring, but incoming freshmen Arby Fields and Mike Trumpy figure to have their say in the fall.

Senior Mike Kafka figures to take over at quarterback for the graduated C.J. Bacher -- considering he rushed for 300 yards and threw for 320 yards in his two late-season starts last fall, but sophomore Dan Persa will give him a run during the spring.

As for the potential targets? The list is long and, mostly, filled with unproven players. Sophomore Jeremy Ebert (15 catches, 161 yards, two TDs), senior Andrew Brewer (18 catches, 145 yards) and junior Sidney Stewart (17 catches, 134 yards, one TD) are the top returnees, but Class of 2008 recruits Jeravin Matthews, Martin Bayless and Demetrius Fields are among the youngsters who have a big chance to make up ground during spring ball. Sophomore superback Drake Dunsmore, who missed last season after injuring his knee, could be a huge component to NU's attack.

There aren't nearly as many question marks on defense, where the Wildcats retain eight starters from a unit that ranked 26th nationally in scoring defense (20.2 points per game). They need to find a weak-side linebacker to replace graduated captain Prince Kwateng, but Vince Browne, Adam Hahn and Marshall Thomas give NU several quality options to fill the two openings on the line.