By Chris Estrada
In many cultures and in many lands, the coming of spring is considered a time of renewal, growth and new life.
When you think about it, those words fit the football program perfectly.
After a tumultuous off-season that featured widespread rumors of the team’s demise, the Huskies have emerged from the storm and are ready to embark on their 73rd season. They’ll start the 2008 campaign in earnest this weekend with their annual spring game at Parsons Field, which will take place following the Northeastern vs. UNC-Wilmington baseball game (noon start).
Head coach Rocky Hager is entering his fifth season at the helm of the Huskies. He’s looking to see which players can help his team improve upon a 3-8 season in 2007 that featured plenty of competitiveness (four losses by 10 points or less), but not enough victories.
So far, he’s put his squad through three-and-a-half weeks of spring practices that have emphasized one of his tenets during his time here: sound fundamentals.
“Each spring, we set out to try and do things that will enhance our fundamental execution, which has been the national theme for college football since the inception of spring practice,” Hager said. “The offense continues to be challenging with the diversity of plays they have thrown at our defense. It’s good to see a variety in the offensive gameplan.
Hager added that his team has put a focus on these basics and said that he was encouraged by some of the improvements the team has made.
“We’ve had a strong emphasis on fundamentals and a strong emphasis on special teams play. We have worked hard and we have made good progress,” he said. “As a coach, you want to see a little more. But that being said, you measure the progress you have made and there has been significant strides made.”
However, the Huskies have been operating without several core players at full strength during the spring. Senior quarterback Anthony Orio hasn’t practiced yet in full pads, while linebacker Craig Kenney and linemen Yaroslav Mukha and Art Dias have been unable to practice at all due to “a variety of medical issues,” Hager said.
On the flip side, that has allowed him to look at the younger talent on his roster, as well as veterans working their way back from injuries suffered last season, like senior defensive lineman Jason Vega and senior linebacker Cornelius Bunch.
For Saturday’s game, Hager is looking for “consistent execution on both sides of the ball.” The contest will feature the first-team offense and first-team defense in sequences starting from the 30 yard line with the ball moving up every 10 yards at certain points. The offense will be running a wide variety of formations and schemes during the game, while the coaching staff will look for their defensive corps to swarm the ball and break offensive blocks to make plays.
After the game, the Huskies will put on a post-game meal, as well as a Chinese auction and an awards ceremony. Students and fans interested in attending the spring game can reserve a spot by calling Northeastern football at 617-373-5549.
The 2008 season begins Thursday, Aug. 28 in Muncie, Ind. against Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Ball State.
