An injury to a key player may have shown just what kind of strength Northwestern has this season.
Keith Watkins II, who was second among Wildcat cornerbacks in tackles in 2015, was hit with a season-ending knee injury during practice earlier this month. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald called Watkins' situation “an unfortunate loss,” but added that the team feels comfortable with moving Montre Hartage, who played in 13 games last season, up the cornerback ladder — and still having depth behind him.
“A few years ago, we weren’t in a position where we had what I would call organizational depth, and we have that now,” Fitzgerald said in an email interview with Southeast Illinois News. “It creates an exciting and competitive atmosphere because guys know that the guy behind them is pushing them to be better every day.”
That's a big part of what Fitzgerald called one of the most physically impressive defenses he's had in his 11 seasons in charge. That's no small feat, given that last year's defense was one of the best in the nation and the driving force behind Northwestern's 10-3 record and Outback Bowl bid.
At the end of the 2015 regular season, the Wildcats were eighth nationally in scoring defense (16.4 points per game) and 11th in total defense (310.5 yards allowed per game). Back this year is 2015 All-Big Ten first-team linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (113 tackles, 19½ tackles for loss) and second-team cornerback Matthew Harris (four interceptions, 12 pass breakups).
On offense, the Wildcats have Justin Jackson, the conference's rushing-yards leader last season with 1,418 and a second-team all-conference pick. But a big key for the offense will be the continued development of sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson (1,522 passing yards, seven touchdown passes, 397 rushing yards).
And not just with his on-the-field contributions either. Fitzgerald said Thorson spoke to the team during practice and told his teammates that he has to improve for the Wildcats to take another step up.
“That is the kind of leadership you want from your quarterback and speaks volumes to the kind of young man he is and the standard he holds himself to,” Fitzgerald said.
ILLINOIS
When looking at a football team for the first time, new Illinois head coach Lovie Smith said the first offensive position to look at is quarterback.
For the Illini (4-8 overall, 2-6 in Big Ten), that first look would be at senior Wes Lunt, who averaged 230.1 passing yards per game last season with 14 touchdown passes and six interceptions. This offseason, Lunt has been put on three awards-watch lists.
“Wes is very smart, has a strong arm, has earned the respect of his teammates and is a terrific leader,” Smith said in an email interview with Southeast Illinois News. “He and (quarterbacks coach Garrick) McGee work very well together, and I’m very confident Wes will do a great job of getting the ball where it needs to be.”
Lunt will be joined in the backfield by sophomore running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, who had 842 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns in 2015.
Smith said the line has a mix of youth and experience, and several receivers during camp have shown the ability to catch the ball.
The defense will be led by linemen Dawuane Smoot (eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries) and Carroll Phillips (two sacks, 4½ tackles for loss). Joining the team this season is linebacker Hardy Nickerson, a transfer from California and 2015 All-Pac-12 Conference honorable-mention selection who is on three awards-watch lists.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
The Salukis (3-8 overall, 2-6 in MVFC) have been picked to finish eighth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference this season in a poll voted on by league coaches, local media and sports-information directors, reports siusalukis.com.
Among the top returners for Southern Illinois is senior linebacker Chase Allen, a preseason first-team All-MVFC pick. Allen led the team with 120 tackles last season, including eight tackles for loss, and blocked three kicks.
Sophomore Daquan Isom received preseason All-MVFC honorable mention after finishing seventh in the Football Championship Subdivision in all-purpose yards per contest (158.2). He has been selected for the College Football Performance Awards Performer of the Year Watch List.
"Daquan is an explosive player," Salukis coach Nick Hill said in an email interview with Southeast Illinois News. "We feel good about a few backs that we have, but (Daquan) will be counted on to be an explosive player in this offense."
Senior receiver Billy Reed, also a preseason honorable-mention pick, had 805 receiving yards last season.
Josh Straughan, a transfer from Division II Stillman College, has been named the starter at quarterback.
"We lose a few key guys up front, including our center and our quarterback, so that’s always a concern," Hill said. "We’ll wait and see how they perform under game action."
On defense, Hill said a number of key players who have played a lot of football in key areas will be back, especially at linebacker.
"Chase (Allen) and Markese (Jackson) are back," Hill said. Withney (Simon) played last year. Ryan Neal has played a lot of football on the back end. Jeff Vea started every game last year. It’s an experienced group. It’s a new scheme, and they have to keep working and getting better at it, but I feel good with where we’re at on D."
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