Aug. 20, 2011

Photo Gallery -- Camp Kenosha Scrimmage

WATCH: Kenosha Scrimmage Highlights

WATCH: Fitzgerald Interview
WATCH: M. Trumpy Interview
WATCH: B. McNaul Interview
WATCH: V. Mark Interview

KENOSHA, Wis. -- After watching a wicked thunderstorm move through southern Wisconsin in the late morning, Northwestern took advantage of the clear skies that followed to hold its annual preseason intrasquad scrimmage Saturday on the campus of Wisconsin-Parkside.

The session lasted nearly 90 minutes and included approximately 70 offensive plays.

"I thought after the weather delay they came out with a good attitude and did some good things on both sides," said head coach Pat Fitzgerald. "We had some opportunities for turnovers but didn't make the plays, that'd probably be my biggest negative for the defense. We have to get the ball back, that was the only negative I saw.

"We have two big weeks left and you have to look at this not as the end (of Camp Kenosha) but the beginning. Two weeks from today we're going to be in the first quarter of our game against an outstanding opponent on the road so we have to have a great sense of urgency this week to finish camp the right way."

Sophomore quarterback Kain Colter was the first under center for the NU offense on the day, moving the chains with a 27-yard pass to classmate Tony Jones and following it up with an 18-yard keeper down to the 12-yard line. After linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo stepped in front of Colter's next offering for a pass breakup, Colter's only drive at QB eventually culminated in a 34-yard field goal by sophomore Jeff Budzien.

NU's defense put the clamps on over the next two possessions before Evan Watkins led the 'Cats on a scoring drive, getting some help when true freshman superback Jack Konopka laid out inside the red zone to draw NU close to a score. Running back Tyris Jones finished the job with a 2-yard plunge to paydirt.

Watkins finished the scrimmage as NU's leading passer, connecting on 8-of-14 attempts for 82 yards.

Northwestern's third touchdown came at the end of a 14-play, 58-yard drive orchestrated by redshirt freshman Trevor Siemian. Siemian found Venric Mark leaping in the back of the end zone, helping the QB finish with 49 yards on an accurate 7-of-9 passing clip. It was one of three catches for Mark, who compiled a team-best 60 yards receiving.

NU's defense was spearheaded by sophomore Davon Custis, who racked up 6.5 tackles from his defensive end position. Ariguzo finished with two pass breakups, while cornerback Daniel Jones also broke up a would-be touchdown late in the scrimmage.

Following an off-day on Sunday, Northwestern will head back to Illinois for one final offsite practice Monday at the Naval Station Great Lakes base, where the Big Ten Network will be on hand to film its annual preview show. The Wildcats then return to campus with a double-session scheduled for Tuesday.

Northwestern opens its season Saturday, Sept. 3, at Boston College.

Individual statistics from Saturday's scrimmage are listed below:

Passing Statistics
Evan Watkins -- 8-of-14, 82 yards
Trevor Siemian -- 7-of-9, 49 yards, 1 TD
Kain Colter -- 2-of-3, 28 yards
Zack Oliver -- 2-of-2, 22 yards, 1 TD

Rushing Statistics
Kain Colter -- 2 carries, 23 yards
Treyvon Green -- 7 carries, 18 yards
Jordan Perkins -- 4 carries, 17 yards
Mike Trumpy -- 2 carries, 15 yards
Adonis Smith -- 5 carries, 12 yards
Tyris Jones -- 6 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD
Tim Hanrahan -- 4 carries, 8 yards
Zack Oliver -- 1 carry, 8 yards
Evan Watkins -- 1 carry, 4 yards
Venric Mark -- 1 carry, 3 yards
Trevor Siemian -- 4 carries, (-13) yards

Receiving Statistics
Venric Mark -- 3 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD
Drew Moulton -- 6 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD
Tony Jones -- 1 catch, 27 yards
Jack Konopka -- 1 catch, 19 yards
Cameron Dickerson -- 2 catches, 12 yards
Brendan Barber -- 2 catches, 12 yards
Rashad Lawrence -- 1 catch, 10 yards
Demetrius Fields -- 1 catch, 6 yards
Adonis Smith -- 1 catch, 1 yard
Mike Jensen -- 1 catch, 0 yards

Defensive Statistics
Davon Custis -- 6.5 tackles
Damien Proby -- 6 tackles
Chi Chi Ariguzo -- 3.5 tackles, 2 pass breakups
David Nwabuisi -- 3 tackles
Timmy Vernon -- 3 tackles
Bryce McNaul -- 2.5 tackles
Michael Bolden -- 2.5 tackles
Jimmy Hall -- 2.5 tackles
Daniel Jones -- 2 tackles, 1 pass breakup
Doug Diedrick -- 2 tackles
Anthony Battle -- 2 tackles, 1 sack
C.J. Bryant -- 1.5 tackles
Bo Cisek -- 1 tackle
Collin Ellis -- 1 tackle
Ricky Weina -- 1 tackle
Sean McEvilly -- 1 tackle
Mike Eshun -- 1 tackle
Hunter Bates -- 1 tackle
Kevin Watt -- 1 tackle

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