Kenosha Day 6: Receivers step up

KENOSHA, Wis. -- Northwestern began the final day of its 2009 Camp Kenosha stay with a 17-period practice Monday morning at UW-Parkside, the first of two sessions before heading back to Evanston Monday night.

Here is the Official NUsports.com Practice Report from Monday morning:

THE WEATHER: After cooler temperatures the past few days, including a downright chilly scrimmage on Saturday afternoon, Monday morning was much warmer with blue skies and temperatures in the mid-70's on their way to the low 80's in the afternoon.

THE PRACTICE: Northwestern went 17 hard-hitting, up-tempo periods Monday morning in its first workout since Saturday afternoon's scrimmage at Tremper High School. Monday morning's practice highlights included:

Today's "Big Blue" tackling drill featured a new wrinkle with players lying flat on their backs before quickly getting up and driving through the hit onto the mat.

During DB/WR one-on-one drills, Andrew Brewer (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks) made a great over-the-shoulder catch against Jordan Mabin (Northfield Center, Ohio/Nordonia) before Kevin Mitchell (Skokie, Ill./Notre Dame) hauled in a one-handed grab heading toward the corner of the end zone with Tim Weak (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) draped all over him.

Monday's 7-on-7 drills featured multiple catches from the WR corps that were extraordinary. In particular, Jeremy Ebert (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) made multiple diving grabs and held on to every one of them.

Not to be overshadowed, the defense contributed its share of successes. The coverage of Sherrick McManis (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) on several occasions had sideline observers commenting on his great skill.

In TEAM 11-on-11 action, freshman Arby Fields (Alta Loma, Calif./Los Osos) continued his strong Camp Kenosha with a couple of solid cut-back runs for large gains. The offense on the whole stepped up its energy and cheering from the sidelines compared to its efforts the previous week. The down marker even made an appearance as a prop.

Defensively during TEAM, Brendan Smith (Andover, Mass./New Hampton Prep (N.H.) recorded a pick-six and lineman Vince Browne (Lisbon, Ohio/David Anderson) busted through the offensive line during goal-line drills to hit running back Jacob Schmidt (Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander) nearly simultaneously with the hand off. It was to Schmidt's credit that he held on to the ball.

NEXT UP: Northwestern returns home from Camp Kenosha Monday night and resumes practice with a late afternoon session in Evanston on Tuesday.