Oct. 14, 1999
BY ERICA HURTT
They're not best friends or roommates. They don't have any special chants, pre-game rituals or a catchy nickname. But the members of Northwestern's running back unit share something much more important, the will to win, and the talent and attitude to do just that.
"We don't have any special rituals, just hard work," said junior running back Damien Anderson.
But don't be fooled. The combination of one of the Big Ten's top rushers, a senior who has returned to the position that he was groomed to play, and a true freshman yields anything but an ordinary unit.
Anderson, who rushed for 450 yards in the 'Cats first four contests, ranks second in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation in rushing. A native of Illinois, Anderson says his approach to the game has changed this season accounting for a couple of key receptions and the yardage he has wracked up.
"Last year I was just feeling as I went along," Anderson said. "Now I have a good feeling of what is going on before it happens. Now I play more as a student of the game than a player."
By becoming a student of the game, Anderson has gained better understanding of his role when he isn't carrying the ball, according to running backs coach Jeff Genyk.
Genyk said he noticed improvement in Anderson's ball security and ability to make decisive cuts.
Although Anderson refers to last season as "unfortunate and tough," he says it was a gift to him. "Everybody learned what not to do and we matured as a team."
Simplicity is one of the lessons Anderson learned after realizing that over-thinking compromised his athletic ability and instinct.
"The new coaching staff has taught us to let the defense react to us instead of us reacting to the defense," Anderson said.
Northwestern's coaching staff inspires an offensive attack style by scrawling the number of offensive knockdowns on the chalkboard after each game.
Much of that offensive attack comes in the form of senior fullback Ian Miller. Miller, who was recruited as a fullback, spent most of last season on special teams.
But Coach James Patton, who leads the Wildcats' tight ends and h-backs/ fullbacks, believed that Miller could make an impact in his old position.
"Ian is our main guy in that spot," Patton said. "He has a lot of speed and agility combined with the strength and explosiveness we need at fullback."
Miller is excited by the switch, and thinks he is a good fit for the team's plan. His experience at tailback and his strength adds another dimension to Northwestern's running game. Miller is averaging 10 rushing yards a game. A second-quarter concussion in the 'Cats victory against Texas Christian University sidelined Miller for a couple of games, but he is eager to get back in the trenches against Minnesota.
In his absence, senior John Cerasani has filled in admirably. In addition to his punishing blocks, Cerasani also hauled in a touchdwon pass in the loss to Purdue.
The complement to all of this experience is rookie running back Louis Ayeni. Fresh from Woodbury High School in Woodbury, Minn., Ayeni already has seen a good amount of playing time.
"Initially I did not expect Louis to have a big role or make an impact," Genyk said. "But as Camp Kenosha rolled on, it became apparent that he has good skill at understanding football and taking coaching from the chalkboard to the field quickly."
Ayeni entered game five with eight carries for 20 yards. He also has shared in the 'Cats' kickoff return duties, returning eight for 129 yards.
Ayeni says off-season training and his ability to focus aided his transition from high school ball to the Big Ten arena. However, Ayeni and his coaches admit he has a lot of physical and mental growing to do. Ayeni looks to fellow running back Anderson to provide some of that nurturing.
"Damien is a very hard worker," Ayeni said. "His attitude and toughness have definitely helped me and the other running backs. He has worked so hard for so many years and people are finally starting to see that he is a great back."
Coach Genyk agrees that Anderson's tremendous work ethic has propelled him to conference-wide, and even national recognition. But for Anderson, team comes first.
Of course he has personal goals: 1,000 yards for the season, a national presence, to be a force to be reckoned with.
"But for now I just want to be a part of an offense to be reckoned with," Anderson said. "I want all 11 of us to be noticed before me because they are the ones that open holes for me."
Few aspects of football come down to one man. Trust, communication and teamwork are cornerstones of the game. The running back and the fullback must work as one, anticipating each other's moves.
"Damien and I have to be on the same page and thinking the right things," Miller said.
Because of this, the members of this offensive unit aren't finished when they fill their roles as student and player. They must also be teachers. Each week after reviewing an opponent's game tapes, the running backs and fullbacks meet to discuss what they saw.
"Maybe he [Damien] saw something I missed, or I saw something he missed, Miller said. "During practice we share information and try to complement and teach each other."
"We have a brother-type of relationship," Anderson said. "We are more close-knit than other areas because there are so few of us. We always try to help each other out."
However, no matter how many tapes they review, hours they practice, or goals they set, success for this offensive unit grows from its dedication to team and improvement and desire to give 110 percent.
"We've always had talent," Miller said. "But now we have attitude to go along with it."