Northwestern at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 7 at UNLV Sept. 15 vs. Navy Sept. 22 at Duke Sept. 29 vs. Michigan State Oct. 6 at Ohio State Oct. 13 vs. Minnesota Oct. 20 vs. Penn State Oct. 27 at Purdue Nov. 3 at Indiana Nov. 10 vs. Iowa Nov. 22 at Illinois 2000 results (8-4, 6-2 in Big Ten) Northern Illinois W 35-17 Duke W 38-6 TCU L 41-14 Wisconsin W 47-44 Michigan State W 37-17 Indiana W 52-33 Purdue L 41-28 Minnesota W 41-35 Michigan W 54-51 Iowa L 27-17 Illinois W 61-23 Nebraska L 66-17

DEFENSE
It's obvious where the improvement has to come. Unfortunately, their top defensive player, DE Dwayne Missouri, has moved on to the Baltimore Ravens. In order for the Wildcats to show any upgrade in this area, it will be the result of All-American type performances by their veteran senior linebackers, Napoleon Harris, Billy Silva and Kevin Bentley. There is no question that linebacker is the strength of the Wildcats' defensive unit. In fact, this group has few peers at the collegiate level.

With Missouri now in the NFL, the spotlight will be on LDE Pete Konopka. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound senior will have to produce impact plays off the edge, while junior DT Pete Chapman figures as the key performer along the interior.

If Konopka and Chapman can generate some heat on opposing QBs, they'll make things easier for a defensive secondary that will have to replace CB Harold Blackmon. The starting cover men will be juniors Raheem Covington and Chasda Martin, with Sean Wieber and Rashidi Wheeler manning the safety spots.

OFFENSE
Once again this season, the key to the Wildcats success will be their fast-break, no-huddle, run-and-gun offense that is led into battle by senior signal caller Zak Kustok. In addition to their veteran triggerman, the Wildcats also have a dynamic running threat in senior Damien Anderson, who figures as a definite Heisman Trophy candidate. When they spread defenses out, gaping holes open up for Anderson, who has the explosiveness to hit the home run at any time.

The primary target at wide receiver will be senior Sam Simmons, although junior Jon Schweighardt will also figure as a vital contributor. Keep an eye on wideouts Roger Jordan, Ronnie Foster, and Kunle Patrick as well. All three are just sophomores.

Up front along the offensive line for the Wildcats, all five starters return, making things a great deal easier for Kustok and Anderson. Keying the move-'em-out gang will be senior bookend OTs Leon Brockmeier (6-7, 305) and Mike Souza (6-5½, 295), with junior Austin King at center. At guard there's huge senior Lance Clelland, who checks in at 6-5½ and 317 pounds, and junior RG Jeff Roehl.

By the way, with Kustok a senior, the heir apparent figures to be redshirt freshman Tony Stauss, who secured the backup job following spring practice. Sophomore Matt Danielson enters fall practice as the No. 3 signal caller.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Interesting battles will be taking place for the kicking and punting jobs during fall practice. David Wasielewski, a transfer from Florida who sat out last year, is challenging for both jobs. His competition is Brian Huffman (PK) and J.J. Standring (P). WR Simmons will operate as the primary punt and kickoff returner.

Overview: There is no question that the Wildcats will go on the attack with a high-powered, exciting offense that presents all kinds of problems for the opposition. Kustok has a keen understanding of the system, while Anderson is a proven star in the Big Ten. Having such an experienced, veteran offensive line to work behind is a huge plus for Kustok and Anderson.

The Wildcats will definitely light up the scoreboard, but the big question is whether their overmatched defense can even slow down quality opposition. Last year against bowl teams such as TCU, Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan and Nebraska, the Wildcats allowed an average of 46 points per game. Even against their eight Big Ten opponents during the regular season, the Wildcats gave up an average of nearly 34 points.

Despite the defensive concerns, the Wildcats figure to be both fun to watch and dangerous. Remember, they took a suspect defense on the road last year and were still able to upset Wisconsin, Michigan State and Minnesota. If the defense shows any noticeable improvement at all, the Wildcats have a chance to be at or near the top of the Big Ten race the entire way. With Kustok and Anderson operating behind a veteran offensive line, the hope is that Northwestern's attack force will once again move the football up and down the field on a consistent basis, making life miserable for opposing defensive coordinators.