After a 2000 campaign that saw Northwestern finish with an overall record of 8-4 (6-2 in the Big Ten), Randy Walker's squad fell on hard times last season, dropping to 4-7 and winning just two of eight games against league foes.

	Pat Durr has been a steady performer for the Wildcats at middle linebacker.

The Wildcats were shaken early last year by the death of Rashidi Wheeler during preseason workouts. Then after winning four of their first five games, they dropped six in a row to close things out. During that dismal stretch, the overmatched Wildcat defense allowed an average of 43.6 points per game.

DEFENSE
For the Wildcats to rebound this season, their defense must improve significantly. But how can they dramatically turn things around, considering the huge graduation losses (Napoleon Harris, Kevin Bentley, Billy Silva) sustained in the front seven?

The critical performers up front will be sophomore tackle Thomas Derricks, who has some game experience, and promising redshirt freshman tackle Luis Castillo, who might be ready to establish himself as a solid performer in the Big Ten. Also in the mix will be the Wildcats' top recruit, 6-foot-4, 280-pound tackle Loren Howard.

With all the key graduation losses in the front seven, the Wildcats are fortunate to return battle-tested senior middle linebacker Pat Durr. The hard-working 6-1, 230-pounder flows to the football effectively and figures to lead the defense in tackles. In fact, if Castillo and Derricks can hold up their end along the interior, Durr could be one of the Big Ten's tackle leaders.

Depending on the outside pass rush, the Wildcats should be in very good shape at cornerback, led by super blue-chip sophomore Marvin Ward. He appears ready to establish himself as one of the nation's elite cover men. On the other side, senior Raheem Covington has plenty of game experience but needs to gain a level of consistency in coverage following an up-and-down 2001.

Following spring practice, the decision was made to switch versatile junior Torri Stuckey from running back to free safety. He'll compete with junior Mark Roush for the starting job.

OFFENSE
The offense will go through a transitional year with so many key changes taking place. Lost to graduation were resourceful quarterback Zak Kustok, dynamic WR-return man Sam Simmons and high-profile running back Damien Anderson, who rushed for an incredible 2,063 yards and scored 23 TDs as a junior before slumping to 757 yards in 2001 because of a shoulder injury.

In addition, coordinator Kevin Wilson has moved to Oklahoma, with Mike Dunbar being elevated to direct the Wildcat offense. In the spring, Dunbar tweaked the attack, turning the emphasis away from the spread attack to more of a traditional power-type running game.

Sophomore Tony Stauss has been called on to direct the attack. Stauss is more of a drop-back passer who doesn't provide the running dynamic that Kustok had. Redshirt freshman Brett Basanez figures to operate as the primary backup.

In the not-too-distant future, however, the name to remember is true freshman Alexander Webb. After going through spring practice, he not only gained an understanding of what is expected but also demonstrated to Walker and Dunbar the overall skills necessary to effectively guide the offense.

Even with Anderson's graduation loss, the Wildcats are fortified at RB. The depth actually allowed Stuckey's move to the secondary. Redshirt freshman Jeff Backes, the Wildcats' top recruit a few years ago, figures to battle spring sensation Jason Wright, a junior, for the starting job. Kevin Lawrence, who worked as Anderson's backup, missed all of spring practice while recovering from a knee injury. He'll have some catching up to do in the fall. Another RB vying for playing time is sophomore Noah Herron, who saw some spot duty last season.

The potential exists for the Wildcats to make things happen through the air. In fact, wide receiver qualifies as one of the team's stronger positions. Not only is junior Kunle Patrick a precise route runner, but he's also a proven big-play performer who can put points on the board at any time. Jon Schweighardt, a veteran senior, will be the Wildcats' possession receiver, with former Notre Dame transfer Jovan Witherspoon, junior Roger Jordan and junior Ronnie Foster all figuring to contribute.

While Patrick is one of the Big Ten's more underrated standouts and the Wildcats have the necessary depth at receiver, the key reason Dunbar is able to shift away from the spread attack is the availability of sophomore Trai Essex and physically talented redshirt freshman Joe Wohlscheid at tight end. Both are big -- Essex checks in at 6-4, 265 pounds, and Wohlsheid is listed at 6-7, 280.

Up front, the Wildcats lost three starters to graduation. But fortunately they return their two top performers in center Austin King and right guard Jeff Roehl. Both are veterans of the Big Ten wars. The new offensive tackles will be sophomore Bill Newton on the right side and junior Carl Matejka on the left.

OVERVIEW
With the shift away from the spread offense, the Wildcats and new coordinator Dunbar must build around more of a straight, drop-back passer in Stauss and also hope that Backes and Wright are the answer in the ground game. Wright hopes to build on momentum from a terrific spring, while Backes has the necessary ability and was a prize recruit from the prep ranks. Also remember: It's just a matter of time before highly regarded youngster Webb is under center and directing the Wildcats' offense. Patrick is a difference-maker at WR, while they at least have the imposing size you look for at the TE spot. While King and Roehl provide excellent play along the interior of the offensive line at center and RG respectively, it will be interesting to see how the new OTs settle in. This is critical since, unlike former starter Kustok, Stauss is unlikely to create problems for the opposition with his legs.

Opponents ran roughshod over the Wildcats' defense last season, and the team is now without its stalwarts, particularly Harris and Bentley. The Wildcats should be fine at DT if Castillo establishes himself as one of the Big Ten's bright young performers and Derricks gets the job done as well, but there are questions about how much of a pass rush will be generated from the outside. Durr is a quality MLB, and sophomore CB Ward has few, if any, peers at his spot.

The question is whether the Wildcats have enough overall talent to show substantial defensive improvement. While they might be able to pull off a stunning upset along the way, anything better than a four- or five-win season would have to be considered a very satisfying accomplishment.