Aug. 31, 2005

2004 Record: 6-6 (5-3 Big Ten)
Head Coach:  Randy Walker.  Record at Northwestern:  30-41, Career Record:  89-76-5
Starters Returning:  Offense 4. Defense 5, Special Teams 1

There aren't many four-year starting quarterbacks in college football, but Brett Basanez is one of them.  While he has never put up huge numbers either in the air or on the ground, Basanez brings veteran experience and consistency to his offense in 2005.  While holding virtually every school quarterback record, he led the Wildcats to a 6-6 record last season, and will look to improve on that record using his pool of talented and deep receivers.

Even though Basanez has been under center for four straight seasons, consistency throughout the team has been an issue in recent years.  The 2005 schedule isn't going to help the Wildcat's cause.   Northwestern ends their season, at Purdue, at Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa, and at Ohio State before closing out at Illinois. 

"We need to play well early," said Basanez, "and get ourselves in a groove before we go through the gauntlet of Big Ten football.  We have a tendency to drop some games early and that kind of puts us in a hole."

Getting into a hole is not an option for Northwestern early in the season.  They open their non-conference schedule with winnable games at home against Ohio University and Northern Illinois, and travel to face a tough Arizona State squad.

"Our non-conference games this year are huge," said linebacker Tim McGarigle.  "Just like any football team that thinks they're going to be successful."

Basanez worked on developing consistency and a better sense of game management as he enters his final season.  "Game management I would say is definitely one of the things I've been trying to work on- just playing and knowing what the game is like and what to expect," he said. 

Aside from the quarterback, the Wildcats will rely heavily on a solid offensive line to boost their running game, and create time for Basanez.  Tackle Zach Strief, a 6-7, 335 pound senior is among the Big Ten's best offensive lineman, and will appear on several short lists as an All-American.  At the other tackle spot, 6-8 sophomore Dylan Thiry is a little raw, but with experience has the potential to be among the conference leaders in his career.  Both tackles are excellent run blockers, and make up what is perhaps the best tandem in the Big Ten.

Guards Ryan Keenan and Joe Tripodi are both juniors, and both will depended upon to meet high expectations.  Keenan is expected to have a breakout season at the guard position after spending time at tight end and on the defensive line.  Tripodi has been banged up for most of his career, but returns as a bigger and more athletic guard.

At center, Austin Matthews should compete with Adam Crum for the starting spot after the loss of Trevor Rees to academic suspension.  The 6-5 Matthews has a slight edge over the smaller Crum, but both sophomores will need to develop experience and maturity quickly in order to play a key role on the line.

The nation's third best rushing attack from last year will keep rolling this season, despite having to replace the loss of Noah Herron to the NFL.  Veteran Terrell Jordan will likely take over the starting duties after averaging over five yards per carry in 2004, but talented sophomore Brandon Roberson will be breathing down his neck to earn the spot.  Roberson has the potential to become a 1,000 yard rusher in Coach Walker's spread offense, but that might be another year down the road.

Though it lacks a superstar, the wide receiving corps will be deep and consistent, with four returning starters.  Mark Philmore, Brandon Horn, Jonathon Fields, and tight end Erryn Cobb will combine to be among the best receivers in Northwestern history.  Kim Thompson and T.J. Jones will be in backup positions at the start of the year, but have tremendous big play potential when called upon.

When they don't have the ball, the Wildcats will need to tighten up their defense after allowing 28 points per game in 2004.  Defensive end Loren Howard and tackle Barry Cofield are both NFL prospects, and will be clearing the way for McGarigle, who led the nation in tackles last season.  Those three seniors will be leading the defensive turnaround.  Trevor Shultz and David Ngene will round out the corps of linemen.  McGarigle will be joined by juniors Nick Roach and Adam Kadela.  Back-up Demetrius Eaton will also play significant time, as he is too good to keep off the field for long.

In the secondary, the Wildcats and defensive coordinator Greg Colby are looking for ways a way to improve over last year's 252 yards allowed per game and 25 total touchdown passes.  The veterans, who were ranked ninth in the Big Ten after the 2004 season, should be much improved with another year under their belts.

Corner Marquice Cole is returning from a year lost to injury, and will form one of the fastest duos in the country with Jeff Backes.  Free safety Reggie McPherson, a former receiver, and strong safety Brian Heinz are young and experienced, and will round out the defensive backs.

A new emphasis on special teams in the spring should lead to improvement in the fall.  Northwestern's place kickers struggled early in their field goal attempts, but this year's starter, Joel Howells was four of five at the end of last season.  Ryan Pederson takes over the full time punting duties and will be a key detail to the Wildcat's success.  Jordan and Roberson will share the kick return duties in addition to their full time running back responsibilities.

Perhaps the biggest determinant of Northwestern's success will be the leadership of its seniors.  "As seniors we've been talking about leadership being a key factor that's been missing," said McGarigle.

Basanez reiterated, "any time the seniors can take over the team so the underclassmen don't have to rely on the coaches, it's good.  When you have a coach who is laying down the law, guys have a tendency to think it's because he doesn't like them.  When it's the seniors, they think `oh, it must be true.' "

Coach Walker thinks success "all goes back to kids making plays and executing.  There are several factors that dictate how successful you can be, but execution is the bottom line."

The Wildcats expect to return to a post-season bowl, and improve upon last year's 6-6 record.  They will have to get past seven bowl teams from last season to get there.