April 19, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern wrapped up the practice portion of its spring season Thursday morning at its outdoor Field Turf facility. With the practice sessions behind them, the focus now turns toward Saturday and the annual Spring Game, which kicks off at noon at Ryan Field.

Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald and his team are looking forward to Saturday's game.

"It's been a great spring," says Fitzgerald, "and I know our team is anxious to play in Ryan Field and in front of our fans. We're still a few months away from the 'real' season, but we've made great progress the past few weeks and we're anxious to cap the spring with a great game on Saturday.

"We're going to have a true 'Purple-White' game on Saturday, which is exciting for the players as well as the fans."

Northwestern's offense will be dressed in white jerseys, while the defense will be wearing purple jerseys. The Wildcats' first-team offense will scrimmage the second-team defense, and the first-team defense will play the second-team offense.

Northwestern will use a running clock, and play four 15-minute quarters. The clock will be stopped for the final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters, only.

At the end of Thursday's practice, NUsports.com caught up with center Trevor Rees (Pearland, Texas/Pearland). The most experienced member of the offensive line, Rees talked about how he has put his previous struggles behind him and is using this spring to show that he is in shape and ready to anchor the 'Cats' line in 2007. He talked about setting the right example for the young players, what fans can expect at Saturday's Spring Game and how the winner of the friendly, but heated, competition between the offense and defense will be decided on Saturday.

Click Here to watch the interview on NUSports.com All-Access.

SPRING GAME ACTIVITIES:
• Wildcat Alley, which will be held on the Randy Walker Terrace, opens at 10 a.m., and will include music, games, prizes, visiting with other Wildcat student-athletes, food, face paint, the Chipotle Challenge, the Big Ten Network and much more!
• Coach Fitzgerald will address fans at 11:15 a.m. on the Randy Walker Terrace
• Stretch with the 'Cats begins PROMPTLY at 11:30 a.m. -- the first 500 kids in eighth grade and under receive an official 'Stretch with the 'Cats' t-shirt.
• Halftime contest sponsored by Chipotle in Evanston.
• Postgame autographs with the team on the field.
• Free admission and parking.
• For more information, e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.