April 22, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern started its final week of spring practice, holding its 13th session Tuesday morning at the Wildcats' FieldTurf practice field.

Northwestern will practice one more time (Thursday morning) before playing its Spring Game at noon on Saturday. Click here for all the details on Saturday's events.

The Wildcats conducted a full-pad, 20-period practice on Tuesday in ideal weather conditions -- 60 degrees, clear skies and light winds. Following practice, head coach Pat Fitzgerald addressed a large throng of media on the Wildcats' spring progress.

"I love the way our guys are coming to work and competing, but we still have a long ways to go until we're ready to play on Aug. 30," said NU coach Pat Fitzgerald. "Our number-one goal, coming into the spring, was to get everyone on the same page with our new coordinators. We're moving along and doing pretty well with that mission.

"As far as schemes, very little has changed. The personalities of our offense and defense are going to be a little different. We're going to attack on defense a little more. What does that mean? We're just trying to attack the line of scrimmage more."

For a complete recap of Fitzgerald's remarks, click here.

PRACTICE NOTES:
• Shortly after the conclusion of Tuesday's practice, Northwestern introduced its new director of athletics, Jim Phillips, to the local media.
• NUsports.com will chat with senior wide receivers Ross Lane, Eric Peterman and Rasheed Ward after Thursday's practice.
• Saturday's Spring Game will be scripted similar to its previous two scrimmages, but with four 15-minute quarters (running clock).