After being a "soldier" for the past two seasons, junior running back Tyrell Sutton is taking up the reigns of leadership for the Northwestern offense.
"That was my biggest downfall last season," Sutton said. "I felt I didn't have to take on that particular role because of (fifth-year senior) Terrell Jordan, who was older than me. That's what I need to work on to get this team where it needs to go."
Which is out of the Big Ten's offensive cellar.
Opponents outscored the Wildcats 314-198. The Cats' 16.5 points per game ranked last in the conference.
What NU has going for it is two experienced quarterbacks, two running backs and their top three wide receivers minus Shaun Herbert, who graduated after leading the team in receptions last season.
With an experienced core group of players, the team's confidence is a lot less shaky than it was last season.
"We have guys that have been out there before and it helps a lot," offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. "We've seen (quarterbacks) Mike (Kafka) and C. J. (Bachér) out on the field before and it gives us more confidence."
Regardless of who starts in the Sept. 1 season opener against Northeastern, the team said it was confident with either Bachér or Kafka.
"Right now it's great," Sutton said. "They are a dual threat. You have the guy in Kafka who can run and pass and you have the experience in CJ who can throw the deep ball and spread the defense out."
The Cats expect Bachér, who missed the first two weeks of spring practice with a toe injury, to be healthy to start the season, joining Kafka and redshirt freshman Joe Mauro at the quarterback spot.
The receiving corps should be helped by the addition of former quarterback Andrew Brewer, who caught one pass for 48 yards last year and saw a lot of reps at wide receiver during spring practice.
"I think (Brewer)'s pretty comfortable out there," head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "It takes time to really learn the fundamentals and techniques of a new position and he's doing very well."
Adding Brewer's speed to the mix complements the possession receiving of Eric Peterman or Sutton and takes pressure off Ross Lane, Rasheed Ward and Kim Thompson.
The improvement of the receiving corps could help either quarterback commit fewer turnovers, which killed the Cats last season where they threw 18 picks and lost 12 fumbles.
"We have a lot of great athletes so I don't need to squeeze in a 50-yard pass when they can break tackles to make a play," Bachér said. "It's my job to get our playmakers the ball and it's a lot easier that way."
Senior running back Brandon Roberson will also help to take the pressure off of Sutton, a role Jordan played last season. Roberson ran for 28 yards on three carries last year and threw a touchdown pass against Michigan State on Oct. 21.
"When I'm not in we're just as hot," Sutton said. "We have different attributes. (Roberson) is the speedy guy who can go outside or even up the middle and just break on you and with me, I'm kind of a shifty back and I can make people miss."
While Fitzgerald has said there are no starters or backups now, once he finalizes his lineup, the team can look forward to winning games rather than just playing offense against defense in practice.
"We're just trying to put the best 11 guys on the field against the right defense at the right time and get our kids to play as hard as they can play," McGee said. "When you can build as many of those as you can, you are going to win."
Reach Brian Regan at b-regan@northwestern.edu.
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