Here are my quick notes from today's press conference, a full takeaways piece will be up on the site later this afternoon.
No quarterback announcement, but hints an internal decision has been made
"We've had talks internally and we're really excited about the competition that we're in and the depth in that room," Braun said. "But some of those decisions that we've made, we're choosing to keep in-house at this time."
Braun's quote made it seem that there's a starter but they don't want to show their hand to Rutgers. There will be another mock game/scrimmage at Ryan Field this Saturday and if the quarterback battle is still truly up in the air, that should bring clarity.
Wants a single starter once they pick
Braun has no intention at this time to split series or snaps for Rutgers.
"This team does need a starting quarterback, just one individual that's our starter," Braun said. "You know if there's other ways to utilize other skill sets within that room then let's tap into that. But we need someone that that's our starting quarterback and get our entire locker rooms behind that individual before we embark on our season."
Team is purposefully practicing outside to prep for the heat
My eyebrows raised as I walked into Walter Athletics Center and saw the team out on Hutcheson Field. Braun said that this was purposeful prep, with approval from team trainers and doctors, for what they project to be adverse conditions at Rutgers Week 1 and at Duke Week 3.
"The indoor facility that we have here is incredible and we'll continue to utilize it in scenarios where the weather is not going to allow us to get done what we need to get done or if we anticipate good weather for our game. If there's poor weather outside, let's practice in a controlled environment. But we can anticipate heat for Rutgers and we can anticipate heat for Duke that we haven't experienced very much as we've gone through camp...we have to prepare to win games on Saturday in the fall in the Big Ten. Any opportunity we have to be in the elements, if we're expecting to play in those elements at some point, we're taking full advantage of.
Helmet decals came from the equipment staff
"To be honest with you, I'm not sure," Braun said on whose idea the position group decals were. "All I know is that our equipment staff are having fun with the guys and our guys were fired up to have an opportunity to wear those in the fall. There's been some competitive banter and the logos on the helmet have played into that, which is exactly what you want in fall camp."
Players said why they chose to stay at Northwestern
The Inside Zone's Matt Fortuna asked the players why they chose to stay at NU rather than transfer out, each player gave a response:
DE Sean McLaughlin: "The guys in the locker room, without a doubt. Those guys have been there from the minute I stepped on campus my freshman year. I don't know what I would do without some of those guys who I formed relationships with. Some of the older D linemen like Joe Spivak or Trevor Kent, they taught me some serious things that you can't [get] any other place...I've formed bonds that will last forever. That's the biggest reason I stayed."
Johnson is referring to a coach being fired in his following quote.
WR Camron Johnson: "For me, having gone through something like this before, the guys in the room and the whole support staff, everybody had conviction that we're going to get through this together. We're going to make this a successful season regardless. That was something that I hadn't seen in other schools whenever you go through coaching changes, people splinter off, stuff like that...for any team I've been on in my six years, this team is as close as any I've been a part of. It was a no-brainer to stay and be with these guys and enjoy my last year."
RB Cam Porter: "Cam kind of hit the nail on the head. It was a no-brainer. We came together and made a decision that we're going to try and make this a special season."
