Moving up the depth chart
By Justin Schecker
Thursday, October 29, 2009
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“You want a great study, see how the injuries have gone up since we started playing 12 football games,” Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald said after the 29-28 win over Indiana on Homecoming.
“I think it’s really difficult to play 12 football games with 85 scholarship players,” he added.
One way to overcome that challenge: develop a strong walk-on program.
“We’ve recruited pretty good depth,” Fitzgerald said. “We’ve got an incredible walk-on program. You know you see guys like Ricky Weina stepping up. You see guys like Jacob Schmidt. I can go on and on with the guys that have walked on to our program that are making a difference right now in crunch time.”
In the comeback win over Indiana, Rickey Weina spent the most time in his career inside the lines. He filled in for the team's injured top shut down corner, Sherrick McManis, who did not play in the second half.
“I knew their history with walk-ons,” Weina said, “and there would be a good chance you know if I came in here and worked hard that I’d get to play.”
Weina not only shut down an elite receiver in Indiana's Tandon Doss, he also made a game changing play on special teams by blocking a punt in the third quarter.
It’s not just the walk-ons making the most of unexpected playing time. Injuries and a lack of production opened the door for sophomore Scott Concannon to move up the depth chart at running back.
“But I’m sure when Steph (Simmons) comes back, when Jacob (Schmidt) comes back it’s going to be a competition like it’s always been,” Concannon said. “I’m prepared to do what I need to do to help this team win.”
Concannon, who is slated to start against Penn State, wracked up 73 yards on the ground against the Hoosiers, including 33 on the game-winning drive.
“He’s shifty,” senior wide receiver Zeke Markshausen said. “You can see it out there. We call him ‘Cut-Cannon’ because he can make some cuts out there that are just insane.”
Markhausen may be the poster child for NU's walk-on program. Now on scholarship in his senior year, Markhausen is the team's leading receiver. He is averaging 10 catches per Big Ten contest.
Even though the walk-on players and reserves are contributing, Coach Fitz knows it’s a challenge to keep his players healthy.
“How do you get your team physically ready to play each week without rolling the dice to bang them too hard where they get hurt,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a battle of attrition and it’s a credit to our coaches and players."
Last updated: 2009-10-29 20:42:55 by