NU releases two-deep for Stanford

[lou v]

Tyler Lancaster is a starting defensive tackle. I think that's the most interesting bit of news from the depth chart this week vs. Stanford. The rest is pretty much according to Hoyle. A few other notes:

- Alviti and Oliver are both listed as the backup QB.

- The three starting WRs are Dickerson, Jones and Shuler, and they are backed up by Wilson, Buckley and Carr, respectively.

- Jordan Thompson is the only freshman on the two-deep -- he OR Ben Oxley are backing up Lancaster. I'm slightly surprised that no freshman WRs were listed.

I can't post the two-deep right now, but it will be up later.

 

[phatcat]

Best thing for me is seeing C. Jones. Let's assume it is not trickeration and that he will start - if he is recovered enough to start the opener, he must be doing pretty well. Say what you want about 'next man up', but the next man up ain't Christian Jones.

 

[shakes3858]

Quarterback Clayton Thorson Zack Oliver OR Matt Alviti
Running Back Justin Jackson Warren Long
Z-Receiver Cameron Dickerson Macan Wilson
Y-Receiver Christian Jones Stephen Buckley
X-Receiver Miles Shuler Austin Carr
Superback Dan Vitale Garrett Dickerson
Left Tackle Geoff Mogus Adam DePietro
Left Guard Ian Park Connor Mahoney
Center Brad North J.B. Butler
Right Guard Shane Mertz Sam Coverdale
Right Tackle Eric Olson Blake Hance
Starter/1st String Backup/2nd String
Defensive End Dean Lowry Xavier Washington
Defensive Tackle C.J. Robbins Max Chapman
Defensive Tackle Tyler Lancaster Ben Oxley OR Jordan Thompson
Defensive End Deonte Gibson Ifeadi Odenigbo
SAM Linebacker Drew Smith Joseph Jones
MIKE Linebacker Anthony Walker Cameron Queiro
WILL Linebacker Jaylen Prater Nate Hall
Cornerback Matt Harris Marcus McShepard
Safety Traveon Henry Kyle Queiro
Safety Godwin Igwebuike Jared McGee
Cornerback Nick VanHoose Keith Watkins
Starter/1st String Backup/2nd String
Kicker Jack Mitchell Arthur Omilian
Punter Hunter Niswander Matt Micucci

 

[shakes3858]

I don't like the OR at back up QB. If the starter gets 70% of the reps, I'd like the back up to see the other 30% (80/20, 60/40 whatever). If it's a true "or" situation, then Oliver and Alviti would each get 15% of the reps which may not be enough. I also hope we don't cut into Thorson's reps to get both the back ups enough ie. going 60/20/20 instead of 70/30.

 

[TejasCat]

I don't like the OR at back up QB. If the starter gets 70% of the reps, I'd like the back up to see the other 30% (80/20, 60/40 whatever). If it's a true "or" situation, then Oliver and Alviti would each get 15% of the reps which may not be enough. I also hope we don't cut into Thorson's reps to get both the back ups enough ie. going 60/20/20 instead of 70/30.

I expect Thorson to get 100% of the snaps. And the other two have competed hard and Fitz has rewarded both of them as an OR for 2nd string. If Thorson gets hurt, Fitz will then make the call on who goes in next, it may depend on the game situation (winning, losing, able to run the ball, etc).

 

[purple11]

Best thing for me is seeing C. Jones. Let's assume it is not trickeration and that he will start - if he is recovered enough to start the opener, he must be doing pretty well. Say what you want about 'next man up', but the next man up ain't Christian Jones.

Yes I agree, hoping to see Christian have a great year. D line looks solid. Wishing we had Frazier on the O line, hope he can get back soon. Anxious to see what Mertz can do at guard. I think North is ready to take on the task at Center.

Looking forward to saturday.

Go Cats !

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I don't like the OR at back up QB. If the starter gets 70% of the reps, I'd like the back up to see the other 30% (80/20, 60/40 whatever). If it's a true "or" situation, then Oliver and Alviti would each get 15% of the reps which may not be enough. I also hope we don't cut into Thorson's reps to get both the back ups enough ie. going 60/20/20 instead of 70/30.

Doesn't make much of a difference in the opener, because we know that both Alviti and Oliver took ample snaps in spring and during fall camp.

 

[lou v]

Quarterback Clayton Thorson Zack Oliver OR Matt Alviti
Running Back Justin Jackson Warren Long
Z-Receiver Cameron Dickerson Macan Wilson
Y-Receiver Christian Jones Stephen Buckley
X-Receiver Miles Shuler Austin Carr
Superback Dan Vitale Garrett Dickerson
Left Tackle Geoff Mogus Adam DePietro
Left Guard Ian Park Connor Mahoney
Center Brad North J.B. Butler
Right Guard Shane Mertz Sam Coverdale
Right Tackle Eric Olson Blake Hance
Starter/1st String Backup/2nd String
Defensive End Dean Lowry Xavier Washington
Defensive Tackle C.J. Robbins Max Chapman
Defensive Tackle Tyler Lancaster Ben Oxley OR Jordan Thompson
Defensive End Deonte Gibson Ifeadi Odenigbo
SAM Linebacker Drew Smith Joseph Jones
MIKE Linebacker Anthony Walker Cameron Queiro
WILL Linebacker Jaylen Prater Nate Hall
Cornerback Matt Harris Marcus McShepard
Safety Traveon Henry Kyle Queiro
Safety Godwin Igwebuike Jared McGee
Cornerback Nick VanHoose Keith Watkins
Starter/1st String Backup/2nd String
Kicker Jack Mitchell Arthur Omilian
Punter Hunter Niswander Matt Micucci

Thanks, Shakes. Here's a link:

NU releases two-deep

 

[Seattle_Cat]

I don't like the OR at back up QB. If the starter gets 70% of the reps, I'd like the back up to see the other 30% (80/20, 60/40 whatever). If it's a true "or" situation, then Oliver and Alviti would each get 15% of the reps which may not be enough. I also hope we don't cut into Thorson's reps to get both the back ups enough ie. going 60/20/20 instead of 70/30.

Has Alviti been getting a lot of reps in practice? If not it wouldn't seem likely that he would be next man up if Thorson goes down. Zach has enough experience that I would not expect him to be overwhelmed if suddenly thrown into the game.

Tyler Lancaster is a starting defensive tackle. I think that's the most interesting bit of news from the depth chart this week vs. Stanford. The rest is pretty much according to Hoyle. A few other notes:

- Alviti and Oliver are both listed as the backup QB.

- The three starting WRs are Dickerson, Jones and Shuler, and they are backed up by Wilson, Buckley and Carr, respectively.

- Jordan Thompson is the only freshman on the two-deep -- he OR Ben Oxley are backing up Lancaster. I'm slightly surprised that no freshman WRs were listed.

I can't post the two-deep right now, but it will be up later.

 

[Max_Power]

The value of my no. 67 Lancaster autographed jersey just doubled.

 

[Max_Power]

Best thing for me is seeing C. Jones. Let's assume it is not trickeration and that he will start - if he is recovered enough to start the opener, he must be doing pretty well. Say what you want about 'next man up', but the next man up ain't Christian Jones.

Seeing Buckley anywhere in the two deep makes me happy. If he returns as 90% of the player he was before his injury, its a big boost to the WR core.

 

[stpaulcat]

Quarterback Clayton Thorson Zack Oliver OR Matt Alviti
Running Back Justin Jackson Warren Long
Z-Receiver Cameron Dickerson Macan Wilson
Y-Receiver Christian Jones Stephen Buckley
X-Receiver Miles Shuler Austin Carr
Superback Dan Vitale Garrett Dickerson
Left Tackle Geoff Mogus Adam DePietro
Left Guard Ian Park Connor Mahoney
Center Brad North J.B. Butler
Right Guard Shane Mertz Sam Coverdale
Right Tackle Eric Olson Blake Hance
Starter/1st String Backup/2nd String
Defensive End Dean Lowry Xavier Washington
Defensive Tackle C.J. Robbins Max Chapman
Defensive Tackle Tyler Lancaster Ben Oxley OR Jordan Thompson
Defensive End Deonte Gibson Ifeadi Odenigbo
SAM Linebacker Drew Smith Joseph Jones
MIKE Linebacker Anthony Walker Cameron Queiro
WILL Linebacker Jaylen Prater Nate Hall
Cornerback Matt Harris Marcus McShepard
Safety Traveon Henry Kyle Queiro
Safety Godwin Igwebuike Jared McGee
Cornerback Nick VanHoose Keith Watkins
Starter/1st String Backup/2nd String
Kicker Jack Mitchell Arthur Omilian
Punter Hunter Niswander Matt Micucci

Thanks Shakes for listing them.

 

[Aging Booster]

Thanks, Shakes. Here's a link:

NU releases two-deep

I thought we might see Westphal in the two-deep. Only real surprise for me.

 

[JoeWildcat]

As any Ohio boy, I find it interesting that four of the eight DBs are from Ohio (in fact quite a few of the 2-deep on defense are from Ohio).

 

[catcrazy]

Any inside scoop for Westphal? Very touted guy surprised to see. Nice to see our two late recruits two years ago in the two deep ( X Waz who played as true frosh and McGee)

 

[gocatsgo2003]

As any Ohio boy, I find it interesting that four of the eight DBs are from Ohio (in fact quite a few of the 2-deep on defense are from Ohio).

Recruiting at Northwestern will always start in Chicago, but Ohio and Pennsylvania are nearly as important.

 

[clarificationcat]

Any inside scoop for Westphal? Very touted guy surprised to see. Nice to see our two late recruits two years ago in the two deep ( X Waz who played as true frosh and McGee)

I know he had a significant surgery (I don't know the nature) which set him back at least a year.

I don't have a good sense of how we are going to do this year but speaking to Fitz' comment about depth, there are a fairly impressive list of players (based on hype or actual performance) that are not on the two-deep because of injuries or depth at the position (Vault, Westphal, Kuhar, Frazier, Anderson, McHugh, Youngblood-Ary and several of the freshmen that are supposed to have performed well in camp). If Frazier, McHugh and Kuhar can come back by our first conference games and we otherwise stay healthy, we should have pretty good depth everywhere except on the offensive line and linebacker.

 

[Turk]

As any Ohio boy, I find it interesting that four of the eight DBs are from Ohio (in fact quite a few of the 2-deep on defense are from Ohio).

We've seemed to always have at least one Ohio boy in our DB starting grid. Mabin, Backes as well.

What's interesting is that they left off kick returner and Punt returner. Not surprised to see Long as #2 and Lancaster as starter. But, imo, I wouldn't put much stock in this 2 deep as Vault is going to get plenty of reps and is for sure 2 deep and will see over half the snaps imo, unless he got hurt this week.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Any insights into PR and KR? Hoping to see Vault, Anderson and Roberts. Who will take over Stupor's favorite role of Hanrahan telling our returner to take a knee?

 

[Fitz51]

Any insights into PR and KR?

We return kicks?

 

[Deeringfish]

We return kicks?

We used to but not any more. That is the most inexplicable pat of last season to me. Simply fair catching would have gained us at least 100 yards of field position.

 

[Aging Booster]

We used to but not any more. That is the most inexplicable pat of last season to me. Simply fair catching would have gained us at least 100 yards of field position.

"the most inexplicable pat"...very Freudian of you

 

[NJCat83588]

We used to but not any more. That is the most inexplicable pat of last season to me. Simply fair catching would have gained us at least 100 yards of field position.

Pat was asked directly in the press conference today, "you caused 59 punts last season yet only returned 9. What changes would you like to see?", and he answered that as a coach he was frustrated because he would have liked to see his team catch all 59. Really puzzling because you'd think he'd try different guys back there if Tony Jones wasn't getting it done.

 

[villox]

Pat was asked directly in the press conference today, "you caused 59 punts last season yet only returned 9. What changes would you like to see?", and he answered that as a coach he was frustrated because he would have liked to see his team catch all 59. Really puzzling because you'd think he'd try different guys back there if Tony Jones wasn't getting it done.

Please note that he said he'd like to see them catch all 59. He didn't say return all 59.

 

[TejasCat]

I know he had a significant surgery (I don't know the nature) which set him back at least a year.

I don't have a good sense of how we are going to do this year but speaking to Fitz' comment about depth, there are a fairly impressive list of players (based on hype or actual performance) that are not on the two-deep because of injuries or depth at the position (Vault, Westphal, Kuhar, Frazier, Anderson, McHugh, Youngblood-Ary and several of the freshmen that are supposed to have performed well in camp). If Frazier, McHugh and Kuhar can come back by our first conference games and we otherwise stay healthy, we should have pretty good depth everywhere except on the offensive line and linebacker.

I know McHugh is not injured, and I don't think Youngblood-Ary is either? Fitz mentioned McHugh today when asked and just said "he's fine,competition"

 

[Deeringfish]

"the most inexplicable pat"...very Freudian of you

That could become a Thread title after every game "Inexplicable Pat" people could ask why certain plays were called or decisions were made.

 

[NJCat83588]

Please note that he said he'd like to see them catch all 59. He didn't say return all 59.

Just catching the damn ball would be a huge improvement.

 

[clarificationcat]

I know McHugh is not injured, and I don't think Youngblood-Ary is either? Fitz mentioned McHugh today when asked and just said "he's fine,competition"

I think McHugh had off-season surgery but it sounds like he is fine now, which is great. I am not aware of Youngblood-Ary being injured. He has some pretty good physical tools and is a nice guy to have for depth.

 

[DonatelloCat]

Tyler Lancaster is a starting defensive tackle. I think that's the most interesting bit of news from the depth chart this week vs. Stanford. The rest is pretty much according to Hoyle. A few other notes:

- Alviti and Oliver are both listed as the backup QB.

- The three starting WRs are Dickerson, Jones and Shuler, and they are backed up by Wilson, Buckley and Carr, respectively.

- Jordan Thompson is the only freshman on the two-deep -- he OR Ben Oxley are backing up Lancaster. I'm slightly surprised that no freshman WRs were listed.

I can't post the two-deep right now, but it will be up later.

so does this mean anything about how many redshirts will get burned this season? i also expected to see more than 1 true freshman on the 2 deep.

 

[lou v]

Pat was asked directly in the press conference today, "you caused 59 punts last season yet only returned 9. What changes would you like to see?", and he answered that as a coach he was frustrated because he would have liked to see his team catch all 59. Really puzzling because you'd think he'd try different guys back there if Tony Jones wasn't getting it done.

That was our Larry Watts who asked that question. He'll be filing a story.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Tyler Lancaster is a starting defensive tackle. I think that's the most interesting bit of news from the depth chart this week vs. Stanford. The rest is pretty much according to Hoyle. A few other notes:

- Alviti and Oliver are both listed as the backup QB.

- The three starting WRs are Dickerson, Jones and Shuler, and they are backed up by Wilson, Buckley and Carr, respectively.

- Jordan Thompson is the only freshman on the two-deep -- he OR Ben Oxley are backing up Lancaster. I'm slightly surprised that no freshman WRs were listed.

I can't post the two-deep right now, but it will be up later.

Defense looks Lock Down!

 

[NJCat83588]

so does this mean anything about how many redshirts will get burned this season? i also expected to see more than 1 true freshman on the 2 deep.

It's only game 1 or at least 12. Injuries and performance will determine how many shirts are burned.

 

[NUCat320]

I know McHugh is not injured, and I don't think Youngblood-Ary is either? Fitz mentioned McHugh today when asked and just said "he's fine,competition"

Publishing only two players per position, while the standard, does not reflect how NU uses its wide receivers. I'm not suggesting it's necessary to publish more, though I don't really think it matters. Everyone above McHugh makes sense, though I still would expect to see him on the field Saturday.