Nov. 11--Technically Matt Alviti remains Northwestern's third-string quarterback, but the mobile Maine South grad figures to get a decent number of snaps Saturday at Notre Dame.
That's not so much a reflection on Trevor Siemian, who completed 32-of-49 passes against Michigan. It's the reality of having an offensive line that has allowed 29 sacks and a Big Ten-worst 251 sack yards.
Alviti carried twice against Michigan for five yards and took a seven-yard sack on a third-and-19. The redshirt freshman called his first taste of college football "definitely a lot of fun. It's what I expected -- the speed and size is a huge step up."
Asked if he got frustrated while not playing, Alviti replied: "Everyone is frustrated, and that comes with losing. You question the coaches; you question yourself. But going forward you have to find an answer -- go to the film room and work hard to get better each day."
Alviti hopes to contribute this season mainly as a read-option quarterback and will compete with Zack Oliver and Clayton Thorson for the top job in 2015. Oliver has the edge in arm strength and experience and Alviti runs the best, but most observers view Thorson, the Wheaton North grad who will be a redshirt freshman, as the favorite to win the job.
