BY RYAN TICE
T
here might not be another team in the
country that suffered the personnel
losses that Northwestern did before the
season even began this year. It all started
when fifth-year senior running back Ven-
ric Mark, who had gained more than 4,000
all-purpose yards in his career, transferred
to West Texas A&M because he was going
to be suspended for a portion of the season.
Another blow came shortly after when
it was announced senior receiver Christian
Jones, who led the team with 668 receiving
yards last season, tore his ACL. The squad
also lost a pair of cornerbacks with starting
experience before the season.
Mark's ground production has been re-
placed by true freshman running back Jus-
tin Jackson, who averages 90.8 rushing
yards per game, but the team is still search-
ing for a go-to option out wide. Fifth-year
senior Tony Jones, who led the team with
55 receptions in 2013, has been limited to
18 receptions and battled injuries of his
own.
Classmate Kyle Prater, a former USC
transfer, paces the squad with 29 receptions,
while junior superback Dan Vitale ranks
second with 26 catches. Rutgers transfer
Miles Shuler, a junior, is the only other
player with at least 20 catches through the
first eight games of the season.
NOV. 5, 2014
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald, a former
player at Northwestern, has posted a
58-51 record in nine seasons guiding the
Wildcats.
BY STEPHEN CARRERA/
NORTHWESTERN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Must-Win Game
Both Teams Need A Victory Saturday
To Aid Their Postseason Quests
