April 17, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern wrapped up its third week of spring practice Thursday morning with a full-pad, 20-period session on the Wildcats' FieldTurf practice field.

The Wildcats overcame a sluggish and sloppy start to Thursday's practice session with a much-more focused and intense finish to the day. Northwestern closed the practice with a punt/pass/kick competition -- part of its ongoing "Wildcat Games" that started in early January.

NU players were divided into 10 teams (actually drafted by their team leader) and achieve points for various competitions that started with the team's winter workouts. The winning team (determined at the end of May) will be awarded appropriately.

"Competition is a theme that not only applies to our players this spring, but something we've been doing within our football family all year," said NU head coach Pat Fitzgerald. "When you have competition at a position, players improve. The "Wildcat Games" incorporate not only competition on the football field, but also take into account academic performance as well as community service."

One of the position groups where there is plenty of competition this year is at linebacker. Several players are jockeying for starting and backup jobs at the 'backer spots. One veteran who will play a key role in the 2008 defense is senior Malcolm Arrington, who is slated to start at the middle linebacker position and replace 2007's leading tackler, Adam Kadela.

Following the Wildcats' punt/pass/kick competition, Arrington chatted with NUsports.com about his play and the NU linebacking corps.

Watch Arrington's interview with NUsports.com

PRACTICE NOTES:
• Northwestern will hold its second scrimmage of the spring at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Ryan Field.
• Northwestern's annual Spring Game, scheduled for noon on Saturday, April 26 at Ryan Field, is going to be broadcast online (weather permitting) at www.wgnradio.com. Handling the broadcast will be WGN sports director Dave Eanet and long-time NU football analyst Ted Albrecht. Earlier this month, the Wildcats announced that the Big Ten Network would stream the game live at www.bigtennetwork.com and on NUsports.com.
• A reminder that season tickets remain on sale, and existing season ticket-holders have nine more days to renew their tickets in order to keep their current seats.