Northwestern held its open spring practice on April 6, an event that took the place of the traditional spring exhibition.  Rather than a scrimmage held at the end of the spring session, NU chose to host a simpler open practice a week before the end of practices.  Coach Fitzgerald, while describing the structure of the practice, explained why there was no end-of-spring scrimmage, due to the lack of depth available this spring in the offensive line.  Fitzgerald was confident that all positions will be at 100% before the season and that the 'Cats will be in a place to contend for the B1G title.

While starters Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian, along with backup Zack Oliver, had the bulk of snaps during the scrimmage situations, the rest of the quarterback field also took snaps during passing drills, and freshman Christian Salem showed a crisp delivery.  Sophomore wideout Cameron Dickerson also looked solid.

On defense, sophomore linebacker Drew Smith delivered some heavy force and looked promising.

Immediately after the public practice, NU held its youth clinic, the first such event after an open spring practice.  The clinic took the place of the traditional Stretch with the 'Cats event, and it was huge: hundreds of kids took part, at least twice as many as ever took part in the stretch activity of past spring games.  Kudos to the NU players and staff who helped out with the clinic.