Making a big impact
Diminutive Mark has given ’Cats breakaway threat
Northwestern hasn’t had a 1,000 yard rusher since Tyrell Sutton reached that milestone in 2006. If all the candidates since stood shoulder to shoulder, the 5-8, 180-pounder Venric Mark might appear to be the least likely to reach triple digits, although opposing linebackers might argue that point.
Mark has not only been the quickest player on the field during Northwestern’s first two games but he packs a punch.
“I hear it all the time, sometimes I don’t even listen to it and sometimes I do,” Mark said of his size. “I’m a human like everybody else. People say, ‘Oh, he’s too small, he’s too small.’ I know my teammates believe in me. I know the coaches believe in me and I believe in myself, so I’m going to go out there and play like I know how to play.”
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald wasn’t always sure that would be the case. Mark had established himself as one of the best kickand-punt returners in school history but had yet to find his niche on offense. He played running back in high school before switching to wide receiver at Northwestern. Midway through last season he was moved back to running back but something was missing.
Fitzgerald saw enough during spring practices to know Mark could have a special year if he would fully invest himself. He finally did after heart-to-heart conversations with several coaches and teammates, including senior linebacker David Nwabuisi, who also grew up in Houston and struggled transitioning from Texas high school star to college backup.
“I’ve always been like a big brother to him,” Nwabuisi said. “I looked after him on his visit. I’ve been looking after him ever since. I just pulled him aside and told him this could be a really big year for him if he would tighten everything up. He has always worked hard but he has got to get his head all the way in it. He really embraced it.”
Mark said it can be difficult to be as committed as you must be when you don’t feel you’re contributing as much as you could.
“My mind just wasn’t in the right place,” he said.
His newfound commitment has helped him rank fourth in the Big Ten in rushing with 102.5 yards per game and 5.4 yard per attempt heading into Saturday’s game against Boston College at Ryan Field.
His speed and big-play abil- ity has given Northwestern’s offense a new dimension.
“Venric has made some big explosion plays,” quarterback Kain Colter said. “That’s something we’ve missed in the past. Our offense has kind of been based on slowly moving the ball down the field. We haven’t had many big explosion plays. We still haven’t really this year, but with me and Venric back there they will come. We’ve been close.”
Teams employing smaller backs often suffer from the slot-machine syndrome, meaning it might take several runs for zero or negative yardage before there’s a bigplay jackpot.
Mark’s ability to square his shoulders and pick up tough yards between the tackles has helped the Wildcats avoid that fate.
Feeding him the ball while keeping him fresh enough to continue to excel in his returning duties will be the challenge for Fitzgerald.
“I was here when Darnell Autry couldn’t lift his shoulders above his head on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,” Fitzgerald said. “That was pretty cool. That was a tough dude. There’s no question in my mind Venric has that kind of toughness.
“He’d fight me if I told him he couldn’t return kick and punts. I honestly think he’d want to kick my tail.”