Northwestern Strategy and Personnel
by Sports Xchange
RB Tyrell Sutton -- The senior hasn't been this healthy since 2005 when he piled up 1,474 rushing yards, 44 receptions and 18 touchdowns. If Sutton intends to replicate those freshman-year numbers, he's off to a fine start after producing 144 rushing yards, four receptions and 1 score against Syracuse. Sutton missed last year's Duke loss with an injured foot, so that's a huge addition to the Wildcats as they try to turn the tables on the Blue Devils.
QB C.J. Bacher -- The senior tossed an interception on Northwestern's first possession of the year, but played virtually mistake-free the rest of the way as he finished 23 of 35 for 215 yards and three scores. The Wildcats are now 6-1 in Bacher's starts when he throws fewer than two INT, but 2-9 when he throws 2 or more picks.
DT John Gill -- Northwestern's best-known defensive player had to sit out the Syracuse opener as a punishment for violating team rules. The senior devoted his energies toward being the best scout player he could be -- and earned the team's Defensive Scout Player of the Week award. Now the Nagurski Award preseason nominee is ready to pick up where he left off last year.
ROSTER REPORT:
--RT Kurt Mattes, who started every game last year as a sophomore, missed the Syracuse opener with a bad knee, but he's likely to play this week. Junior Desmond Taylor played so well in Mattes' place, he's now listed as a co-starter with Mattes at RT and senior Joel Belding at RG.
--DT John Gill served his one-game suspension against Syracuse. Now he's reclaiming his spot and plans to make his team-high 31st career start. Sophomore Corbin Bryant did so well in Gill's absence (four tackles, one forced fumble), he's listed this week as a co-starter with junior Adam Hahn at the other tackle spot.
--SB Drake Dunsmore is the only Wildcat currently listed as being out for the year. Dunsmore, who was going to be a big pass-catching threat at "superback," tore his ACL during fall camp.
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