Aug. 18, 2010
KENOSHA, Wis. -- For the third summer in a row, the Big Ten Network made a trip to Northwestern football camp in Kenosha, Wis., to preview the Wildcats as part of their tour of all 11 training camps. Studio hosts Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith took in a spirited training session on NU's third day of practice at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
WEATHER
As it has each of the last two days, Northwestern practiced in picture-perfect playing conditions on Wednesday. Skies were mostly sunny with temperatures hovering around 78 degrees with just 57 percent humidity.
PRACTICE
True freshman Venric Mark turned a few heads on Wednesday by using his speed on special teams and at wide receiver. During an 11-on-11 situational scrimmage, Mark turned on the jets down the sideline to catch a high-arcing 35-yard pass while falling out of bounds.
During the final moments of his on-camera interview with the Big Ten Network, head coach Pat Fitzgerald presented the BTN hosts with a bit of local lunch grub - bratwursts - as a thank you for making the trip to Kenosha. Fitz was well-prepared, giving Gerry DiNardo four brats to take on the road home with him.
Wednesday was also Northwestern's annual post-practice watermelon-eating contest. The first round of competition pitted all true freshmen against one another to find out who the class' king of competitive eating might be. In the end, it was cornerback C.J. Bryant -- all 5'11", 170 pounds of him - who bested all comers. The second round featured one returner from each of the squad's Wildcat Games teams - all of whom were outdone by NU equipment manager Greg Valenzisi.
QUOTABLE
"You are a massive human being."
-- Running back Arby Fields to superback Josh Rooks after Rooks dominated an NU linebacker during pass protection drills.
NEXT UP
Northwestern will round out Wednesday with a second practice scheduled for 6 p.m. On Thursday, the 'Cats will return to the field at 11 a.m. in their second-to-last practice before their annual preseason scrimmage at 3 p.m. Saturday at Indian Trail High School, which offers free admission for all fans.
Directions to Indian Trail High School: Take I-94 West into Wisconsin and take Exit 342 (Highway 158). Merge onto 120th Avenue. Make a slight right turn onto Highway 158E/52nd Street. Continue to follow Highway 158E. Turn right onto 88th Ave. Turn left onto 60th Street. Indian Trail High School (6800 60th Street, Kenosha) is on the left.
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