Ohio State Football - Central Ohio News

• Aug. 30: at Kansas
• Sep. 6: Air Force
• Sep. 13: Miami (Ohio)
• Sep. 20: at Duke
• Sep. 27: at Ohio State
• Oct. 4: Minnesota
• Oct. 11: at Indiana
• Oct. 25: Wisconsin
• Nov. 1: at Purdue
• Nov. 8: Penn State
• Nov. 15: Michigan'
• Nov. 22: at Illinois

Contrary to what it looks like in the record books, losing doesn't come naturally to the Northwestern Wildcats.

Decades of futility haven't made it any easier -- or palatable -- to be the Big Ten's doormat. Players don't come to Northwestern hoping to continue the hapless streak that's been interrupted by just three winning seasons in the last 30 years.

The Wildcats want to win -- badly. So much so that last year's 3-9 season still makes them grimace and snarl.

"I've never had a feeling of disgust on the sideline like I did in some of our losses," sophomore cornerback Jeff Backes said. "It (stinks) when you go 3-9. We didn't come here to go 3-9.

"But I think that's one of the good things about recruiting kids that are used to winning, that don't like to lose," Backes added. "You need to have that attitude that losing (stinks) and you're not going to take it."

Positive attitude is good -- if you're a cheerleader. What the Wildcats really need is to get better on the field.

A large part of Northwestern's problem last year was its inexperience. The Wildcats played so many freshmen and sophomores it was a struggle just to learn the schemes, let alone execute them.

Nowhere was the youth more glaring than on defense. The Wildcats gave up a whopping 502.3 yards a game last year, second worst out of the 117 teams in Division I. Their 313.6 yards rushing allowed was worst in the country, and their 41.1 points allowed per game put them way down at No. 113.

Just to clarify how awful that is, that was below Buffalo, Louisiana-Monroe and Miami -- of Ohio, not Florida.

"We have a chance to make a quantum leap on defense," coach Randy Walker said. "I think we have chance to move up some rungs. I think we have some very good young players coming in. They will give us a chance to be very exceptional."

If nothing else, the experience the youngsters got last year should finally pay dividends. The Wildcats return nine starters on defense, including linebacker Pat Durr.

Durr was the team's third-leading tackler in 2001, and the Wildcats were expecting him to anchor the defense last year. But he blew out his right knee in the season opener, and Northwestern never really recovered.

"I think having me out there helps a little bit, because I get on guys a lot more than someone like John Pickens or Braden (Jones) would do," Durr said.

A new defensive scheme should help, too. Northwestern switched to a 3-3-5 set to take advantage of its deep secondary, which was bolstered by the addition of Backes, who was converted from wide receiver.

"It's more of an attacking-style defense," Durr said. "South Carolina and Oklahoma run it a little bit, and it just keeps everyone on the move, keeps everyone in an attacking style and it helps develop an attitude."

And they'll need some swagger to keep up with the offense. Northwestern returns eight starters, led by sophomore quarterback Brett Basanez and Jason Wright, who flashed some All-American potential at running back.

Despite playing with a broken bone in his leg for part of the season, Basanez led the Big Ten in total offense. His 220.4 yards passing was the best of any freshman in the country, and his numbers are sure to improve with another year on the job.

Though he lost Jon Schweighardt, his leading receiver, he'll have experienced targets in Kunle Patrick, Mark Philmore and Ashton Aikens.

"Last year we tried to keep it as simple as possible," Basanez said. "We didn't really know the offense that well. We couldn't really go in to the more professional stuff, if you want to call it that, and now we're getting into some deep stuff."

Wright was one of the very few bright spots for Northwestern last year, rushing for 100 or more yards in seven of the last 10 games. His 5.6 yards per carry average was the second-highest single-season mark in school history, and he ranked fourth nationally in all-purpose yardage (167.8).

"Jason Wright has emerged as one of the most versatile backs I have ever coached," Walker said. "I have never had a combination of a running back, blocker, receiver, returner in one package. His combination of skills makes him a weapon for us."

But Wright won't be going anywhere if the Wildcats don't find replacements for center Austin King and guard Jeff Roehl, both All-Big Ten selections.

While the Wildcats are optimistic they can shed Northwestern's loser label this season, few outside the program share their enthusiasm. Most predictions have them near the bottom of the Big Ten for yet another year.

And that's OK, Wright said. It just gives them more incentive.

"Last year we didn't have a good season, and there's no reason anyone ... should have ranked us any higher," he said. "We just hope to prove them wrong. And we plan to prove them wrong."

SCHOOL COLORS: Purple and white

FOUNDED: 1851

ENROLLMENT: 7,700

LOCATED: Evanston, Ill.

COACH: Randy Walker, 14th season overall, fifth at Northwestern (77-63-5 overall, 18-28 at Northwestern)

2002 RECORD: 3-9 (1-7 Big Ten, tied for 10th)

LAST BOWL: 2000 Alamo Bowl, lost to Nebraska 66-17

STADIUM: Ryan Field (47,130)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 offense, 9 defense, punter

KEY PLAYERS: RB Jason Wright, sr; QB Brett Basanez, so; WR Kunle Patrick, sr; OL Trai Essex, jr; LB Pat Durr, sr; DT Colby Clark, jr; S Torri Stuckey, sr

KEY DEPARTURES: C Austin King; OL Jeff Roehl; WR Jon Schweighardt; CB Raheem Covington; PK David Wasielewski

HOT TOPICS: Basanez had a promising freshman season and Wright opened eyes, not only with his slippery running style but by fumbling just once in 219 carries.

COLD FACTS: The Wildcat brain trust isn't exactly bragging about bringing back a veteran defense. This is a crew that gave up an average of 502 yards and 41 points per game.

OVERVIEW: With seven bowl teams on the schedule, the Wildcats are headed nowhere fast. Yes, they're capable of surprising us. They won three Big Ten titles from 1995-2000. But three league wins over the last two years is a clear sign of a program in decline. Opponents have caught on to their spread offense, while the 'Cats aren't catching anybody on defense.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "Guys are just eager to win. It (stinks) being 3-9, it's no fun. No one likes going out every Saturday and getting their butt kicked," senior linebacker Pat Durr.

-- Jon Spencer and The Associated Press