Sept. 16--The timeshare plan is working well for Northwestern's running backs with starter Justin Jackson receiving an occasional breather from Warren Long and Solomon Vault.
"Solomon and Justin have been in our system for basically two years and Warren has been there for three, so we've got the full gamut for those guys," Pat Fitzgerald said Tuesday on the Big Ten coaches teleconference. "There's nothing they can't handle."
The No. 23 Wildcats, who visit Duke on Saturday, rushed 69 times for 344 yards against Eastern Illinois, the most carries by a Fitzgerald-coached team.
"All three (backs) have a very high football IQ," Fitzgerald said. "All three are very unselfish. They want the ball, but they know there is more than that. Solomon and Warren play their fannies off in the kicking game.
"I am very proud of that group right now. It's very competitive. All three have great camaraderie and chemistry with each other, and all three push each other in practice."
Corey Acker, Auston Anderson, Tom Hruby and Jelani Roberts also contributed to the running attack against the Panthers.
"When either me, Justin or Solomon are not in there, all of us watch and take mental reps as if we were in there, (thinking about) what we would do," said Long, who ran for a career-best 72 yards against EIU.
Jackson led the Wildcats in rushing for the 14th consecutive game with 78 yards. His longest run this year is 21 yards.
"We know we're going to break one coming up soon here," Jackson said. "It's all about the extra effort."
New Carr feel: It was quite a week for junior receiver Austin Carr, who was told he had earned a scholarship, then responded by scoring his first career touchdown on a 44-yard reception.
"Did I score? It hasn't hit me yet," the former walk-on said of his whirlwind week.
"It feels like it was a long time coming. You're a little guy, 3, 4 years old, watching guys on TV do that, and finally, when it's your chance, it happens so fast. I just remember crossing the goal line and wanting to embrace my teammates."
Mirror images: Duke and Northwestern are peer academic institutions that pride themselves on producing competitive teams that emphasize speed.
"From an identity standpoint they are similar to us," Fitzgerald said. "They know exactly who they are and what they are trying to get accomplished. David (Cutcliffe) and his staff have been there for a while and they have great continuity. You can tell that they know what they are doing."
fmitchell@tribpub.com
