March 7, 2007

2007 Northwestern Spring Guide
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- With winter workouts behind them, the Wildcats now turn to spring practice, which begins Monday, March 26, the first day of the spring academic quarter, with an early-morning session.

Northwestern will conduct 15 spring practices, which includes the annual Spring Game at noon on Saturday, April 21. The Wildcats' annual Coaches Clinic is being held Friday and Saturday, April 13-14.

The Wildcats' weekday practices are being held in the morning, with most sessions starting at 7:25 a.m. Saturday practices, other than the Spring Game, begin at 9:15 a.m.

Northwestern is returning 16 starters (7 offense, 8 defense, 1 special teams) in 2007. The Wildcats' biggest off-season questions come on the offensive line, where two starters must be replaced, and at linebacker, where another pair of starters graduated.

"We had a great winter and are anxious to get back to work and improve our football skills," says head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who is in his second year with the Wildcats. "This football team has a tremendous attitude and is really hungry to get better -- that may be our team's key strength.

"Besides the work we'll do on offense and defense, we're really focused on improving and solidifying our kicking game. We also need to continue to improve our team's overall depth."

The Wildcats are led by returning All-Big Ten players Tyrell Sutton, Corey Wootton and Brendan Smith.

NOTE: Spring practices, other than the Spring Game, are CLOSED to the general public. For high school coaches, scouts, friends of the program, etc., wishing to attend practice, please contact Ryan Kessenich or Niel Stopczynski in the NU football office (847-491-7274) for a practice credential.

2007 Spring Schedule