April 7, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill. -- - Northwestern reached the midway point of its 2007 spring season Saturday morning, spending a majority of the practice session running a 60-play scrimmage.

The Wildcats conducted the scrimmage outdoors on their Field Turf practice facility despite frigid weather conditions -- temperatures in the mid-20s with wind chill readings around 10 degrees.

Quarterbacks Mike Kafka (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) and Joe Mauro (Bedford, Texas/L.D. Bell) guided the first and second units, respectively. Kafka, leading his team against the Wildcats' first-string defense, completed 10-of-17 passes for 97 yards and an interception. Mauro was 11-of-12 passing for 120 yards.

While both quarterbacks made some solid plays in the passing game, Northwestern's defense, led by its defensive line, constantly put pressure on the QB's, who were not allowed to get hit by defenders. Officials working the scrimmage, however, did whistle the play dead if a defender closed to within a certain distance of the quarterback. Officials stopped action seven times, meaning the defense was credited with a sack on those plays.

Eric Peterman (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin) led all receivers with eight catches for 75 yards. Andrew Brewer (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks), a newcomer to the wide receiver position this spring, also impressed, catching six passes for 58 yards. Brewer, a former quarterback, also completed a pair of passes for 39 yards.

Brandon Roberson (Pearland, Texas/Pearland) received a majority of the reps at running back with Omar Conteh (Cypress, Texas/Cy-Fair), Stephen Simmons (St. Louis, Mo./SLUH) and Tyrell Sutton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) sidelined with injuries. Sutton is resting a sore leg.

"There was no need to play Tyrell today," said head coach Pat Fitzgerald. "I have a pretty good idea what he gives our football team. This was a good opportunity to see Brandon get some quality reps, and I thought he did some good things out there for us."

Roberson finished with 52 rushing yards (12 carries), as well as a 12-yard reception. He scored a TD on a 14-yard run.

To view Coach Fitzgerald's thoughts on the scrimmage click here to watch the post-scrimmage interview on NUSports.com All-Access.

PRACTICE NOTES:
• Northwestern resumes spring practice early Tuesday morning, beginning at 7:25 a.m. The practice is open to the media.
• Quarterback C.J. Bachér (Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit) could return to action this week, participating in select drills, etc.
• Northwestern did lose backup offensive lineman Tyler Compton (Humble, Texas/Humble) early in the scrimmage with a leg injury. Action was halted for about eight minutes before he was taken off the field on a golf cart.
• Following practice on Saturday, the coaches and their wives gathered in Trienens Hall for an Easter Egg hunt for their children.