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Big 10 Football Spring Practice Central 2003 Updated 5/5

Here's a place to track the news coming out of the various Big Ten Spring Camps
Stories are posted as we find them. After a team's Spring Game, we will continue to collect stories.
Spring Game Stories are in Bold Type.

Please be aware that sometimes news organizations change URLs on stories and others charge fees for stories older than 7 days.
[Other stories ($) are considered Premium Information by their web sites
and require a paid subscription to that web site]


Team	Spring Practice	Spring Game	News & Links
Illinois	3/17-4/18	April 19 Scrimmage No Score	* Turner glad to know QB * Loyal Turner provides Illini model * Defense Takes Advantage of Turnovers, Offense Scores 28 Points in 2003 Spring Scrimmage * Turner: Illinois improving, but not yet ready for first game * McGoey is Illinois' jack of all trades * Beutjer shows skills of a starter in final scrimmage * Turner stresses improved attitude for weakened Illini * Illini running backs spring into position * Balance Shows at Spring Football Scrimmage * Illinois Football Aggressive in Session #9 * Turner hoping Illinois can quickly fill holes * Defense controls scrimmage * Beutjer realizes team is his * Younger Illini take football field * Illinois Football Aggressive in Session #9 * Defense hot in first spring scrimmage * Defense Shines in First Spring Scrimmage * Illini Prepare for First Scrimmage * Illini recruit McBride feels confident about ACT * Weatherford plays both sides * Football practice goes worse than Turner hoped * Illini Look to Build on 2002 Strong Finish * Illini look for defensive leadership * Illini Kickoff Spring Football Practice * Beutjer named spring starter * Turner likes look, feel of team: Illini eye turnaround as spring football begins * Pro Timing Day Photo Gallery
Indiana	3/29-4/24	April 25th Crimson 24 Cream 0	* Crimson Rolls In Spring Game * Lewis stars for Crimson squad * Fast start for Hoosier offense * Spring brings hope to IU football team * Crimson cream of the crop * Hoosiers eager to take the field for annual spring game Kendal an emerging force Hand work paying off for Roby * Pannozzo making himself seen and heard this spring * Back in the game * Day 13 of Spring Ball (4-22-03) * Spring Game Preview (4-21-03) * Scrimmage No. 2 (4-17-03) * IU offense gets going in practice * Spring practice brings bumps and bruises * Defense doesn't rest in Indiana scrimmage * Kicking game could give Hoosiers boost * Lineman kicked off team * Oakley fails to pass shuttle run, dismissed * Senior safety ready to return * Johnson, DiNardo expecting big year * Q & A Russ Richardson Part 2 * DiNardo pleased with progress of Hoosiers * Cullen keeps defensive line charged up * 'Indiana Drill' kicks off full-contact practices for IU Quarterbacks vie for starting position Optimism high as spring season training begins * First session kicks off spring football practice * Running back one position where Hoosiers have depth * Jakeen Gilmore Q & A Part 2 * IU football begins spring practice today * LoVecchio, McFarland ready for shot a quarterback reigns * Optimism high as spring season training begins * Gilmore Has High Potential $ Q & A Jakeen Gilmore Part 1
Iowa	3/26-4/19	April 19 Controlled Scrimmage Black 0 Gold 0	* Iowa Preview - Can Iowa Reload? * Iowa's Soggy Spring Game Ends In Scoreless Tie * Defense steps to the forefront * Offense is wet, but not wild * One soggy afternoon $ Tall Answer To Tall Challenge $ Football News and Notes * Spring games soon might be ‘thing of the past’ * Game-Day Faces * Practice makes for a perfect finale at Iowa $ Hinkel: Wideouts hold own $ GameDay gets 'eet' right at Kinnick Stadium $ Hard work Greenway's way * UI wonders about spring game future * 10 things to watch for * Live at Kinnick * Format Changed, Excitement The Same At Spring Game * 'High-tempo' practice replaces Hawkeyes' annual spring game * Spring Fever * Chandler is own man as Hawkeyes' next QB * Hawkeyes to show spring stuff to GameDay crew * McMahon Plenty Good * Iowa plans shorter scrimmage * Ferentz discusses troubling UI trend * Chandler takes over Hawks * Barkema adjusts to position shift * Pool cue incident gets Aiello in trouble * UI suspends Sam Aiello after charge * Iowa's Aiello Charged For Assault With Pool Cue * Iowa DL Roth arrested for public intoxication * Hawks expect battle at quarterback * Hawks wary of bars * Don’t go breaking my Hawk * Downtown ban meets approval of players * Hawks might turn to freshman runners * Torn ACL sidelines Iowa RB Lewis * Spring game out, open practice in * Jermelle Lewis tears ACL * Hawk Talk with Kirk: Spring special * An abundance of playmakers * Private Hawk-eye * QB race still wide open * Hawks eyeing linemen, corners for '04 $ The Shadow's Five Easy Pieces $ Spring Practice Breakdown * IU turns to seasoned defense * Props For Ferentz But Questions For Bluder * O-line lineup penciled in * Football Starts Fresh * Banks'QB Heir is up for grabs $ The Shadow Springs Eternal $ Chandler has the edge on QB position $ Babineaux's switch gives Iowa its best group of D-linemen * Iowa goal: Replacing Banks, linemen * After 11-2 UI gets back to work * Hawks could have walk-ons step up * Higher expectations reduce time for Ferentz * Scouts Give O-Line A Workout
Michigan	3/15-4/11 Practices Closed	April 12th Game Cancelled	* QBs look sharp in final spring tuneup $ Tom's Spring Scrimmage Observations $ Things Players Said To Me Saturday $ Recruiting Prospects Spotted At Spring Scrimmage * Carr Comments on Spring Practice * Listen to audio clips * Carr: U-M's defense closes with flourish Players say they made conscious effort to improve spring performance * Edwards switches to jersey No. 1 * Jackson works out at safety * Fans will have to wait to see improved U-M offense * Powerful U-M offense gives Carr confidence * Woods'move to linebacker might be permanent * OFF AND ON * Perry motivated to have stellar ending to career Running back confident he can be the workhorse in U-M's backfield Carr: offensive line is strong A Thomas Clayton Montage $ Another Running Back! * Football Spring Game Cancelled Due to Weather, Field * Monday AM Tidbits $ Ouimet's Pre Spring Game Report: Offense $ Ouimet's Pre Spring Game Report: Defense * Offensive line Blue's strongest unit in spring * Crossing over * Carr's April 1 comments * Underwood making progress * U-M's offense impresses Carr * Carr: U-M fullback having strong spring * Navarre takes pride in his work * Questions at tight end and fullback still there $ Spring Practice Update 4 $ Thursday's Spring Practice: Defense $ Hot off the presses! Thursday's Spring Practice: Offense $ Spring Practice Update 2 * Spots up for grabs $ Spring Practice Update * Center Pearson Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List * U-M Athletics to Hold Fifth Annual "Springfest" on April 12 * Monday Tidbits on Saturday's Practice * M goes into spring with pieces in place * Coach Carr Comments Heading Into Spring Practice * Backup QB spot remains in flux * Football isn't for the fans in spring * U-M heads into spring football in good shape
Michigan State	3/22-4/18	April 19th Scrimmage No Score	* Stanton, Dowdell Battle For Top QB Spot * Spring Football Scrimmage Photo Gallery * Scrimmage displays team's new strategies * Stanton, Dowdell Battle For Top QB Spot * Better attitude highlights MSU's spring * MSU's new defense excites Wedlow, who will play a hybrid position * MSU's new spread offense will eliminate one ill -- boredom -- from Spartan Stadium in 2003 * MSU football debuts spread offense at open scrimmage Saturday * No clear starting quarterback at MSU * Defensive backs ready to anchor season's success * Offense Dominates Third Spring Football Scrimmage * Spartans Conclude Spring Football Drills Saturday * RICHARDS notes: Rix, Smoker earning trust back * New MSU defense focuses on 'bandit' * Catching on * 'U' unseasoned at wideout * Smith keeps players on alert with coaching style * Offense Produces Big Plays In Second Spring Football Scrimmage * Spartans Conduct First Spring Football Scrimmage * Dortch runs well in scrimmage * Spring Football update * Dortch finally ready to test knee in contact drills * Smith looking for more consistency * Quarterbacks impressive in scrimmage * Smith says one QB 'needs to step up' * Stanton strictly striving for success on gridiron * Offense Produces Big Plays In Second Spring Football Scrimmage * Hayes used to lack of attention * Michigan State QB Smoker returns to practice * Dortch finally ready to test knee in contact drills * Dortch makes run at return * Dortch to battle for top running back spot * Spartans open up Spring practice * Spartans Open Spring Football Drills Under Smith * Spartan depth chart * Smoker to take part in Mich. St. spring practice * giving Jeff Smoker a chance to get back * Smith wants to make attitude adjustment * Competition at heart of workouts as Spartans begin spring practice * New Coach Expects To Learn About His Spartans This Spring * Stanton, Dowdell No. 1 at QB for spring practice * Old faces take new positions today at MSU *John L. who?
Minnesota	3/25-4/18	April 19th White 24 Maroon 6	* White Beats Maroon 24-6 In Football Spring Game * Defense puts on a show in spring game * Defense never rests in Gophers' spring football game * Stretching routine put Marion Barber III back in the game * Duffy has a leg up * Nystrom, Mason have busy day with media * Minnesota Bars Female Kicker From Football Try Out * Melander, Nicholson happy with move back to tackle * Calling-all-kickers ad yields laughter, hope * Gophers football recruit ready for final track season * Gophers' spring football game moved to campus * Sims makes calm transition to linebacker for Gophers * Gophers' Wallace trying to overcome injuries * Gophers have holes on special teams * Gophers defense focused on tackling better * Hopeful football team opens spring practice * Glen Mason looking forward to new season * U opens spring drills shorthanded * Glen Mason Spring Press Conference * WR Hamilton will give Gophers deep threat * Give things to watch * Gophers football spring practice preview
Northwestern	4/1-4/25	April 26th Offense Scrimmaged Defense	$ Northwestern Spring Practice 3: Offense - Part I $ Northwestern Spring Practice 2: Defense - Part II $ Northwestern Spring Practice 1: Defense - Part I $ Hey Coach, Waddaya Think? * Spring game concludes practices, doesn't draw conclusions * Big Lineman goes down in Final Practice * Scrimmage Wraps Up Spring Practice * Defense steps up vs. depleted O-line * Special Teams Could Be Just That * Running Back Position No Longer Filled With Uncertainty * Fast, Faster, Fastest * April 26 Spring Game At Ryan Field Canceled * Daily Sports Q & A -- Ray Bogenrief * The Great Outdoors: NU Starts Week Three in the Elements * Young defenders anxious to show improvement * The Leaders of the 'Cats * Cats have Backes make switch to cornerback $ And the "new" Right Corner???? * Jeff Backes: Turning the corner * Spring Practice Continues In Trienens Hall * More Randy Walker after Practice $ Coach Roy's Spring Practice Notes * Coach Randy Walker's Comments from Friday * Wildcats Finish First Week of Spring Drills $ Spring Practice Update: Saturday 4/5 $ Spring Practice Update: Friday 4/4 * 'Cats Break Out Pads for Third Spring Practice * Wildcats report: Inside slant * Wildcats report: Notes, quotes * Wildcats report: Strategy and personnel * Returning QB and RB set to go * NU Kicks Off 2003 Spring Season * Questions to Answer during NU's Spring Practice * Wildcats Ready to Get Back to Work in Preparation for 2003 Season * Changes mark the 2-deep
Ohio State	4/3-4/25 Practices Closed	April 26 Scarlet 37 Gray 29	* Zwick's 4 TDs turn game into real fling * Bam has impact in Scarlet Victory * Wide receiver depth evident in spring game * Spring shootout * Bucks air it out in spring game * OSU offensive backups shine * Zwick throws for four TDs in spring game * Zwick, Smith pass word that they are QBs of the future * Future in good hands with Peterson, Zwick * Game Wrapup * Comments from Charles Babb * Childress, Zwick lead offensive show * Scarlet & Gray game photos * OSU depth chart likely to fluctuate * Injuries a concern in spring game * OSU's backup quarterbacks shine * Clarett leaves troubles behind * High-scoring spring game puts defense on spot * Young Buckeyes steal the show in spring game * Freshman Quarterbacks Battle in Annual Scarlet and Gray Game * Football Team Holds Draft For Saturday's Scarlet and Gray Game * Redshirt freshmen show promise for Buckeye's future in spring contest * 57,200 Fans Show Up For Ohio State's Spring Game * Coaches Holding Clarett From Spring Game To Protect Shoulder * Sander Stands Out In Ohio State Scrimmage * Nugent unhappy with performance * NCAA champ Buckeyes focus on another title * Buckeye battles disease * OSU defense needs players to step up * A Sander blast * Buckeye linebacker to miss rest of spring football * More passing gets players' endorsement * Football prepares for first scrimmage * Pagac gets last crack at playing in the middle * OSU leaders of championship team now seniors * Punter gains confidence for Buckeyes * Spring games a bargain until somebody gets hurt * Wayne grad Allen has sights set high * No Heisman hype for Clarett just yet * OSU's Krenzel won't rest on No. 1 laurels * Spring into 2003 football season * Buckeyes look to air it out on offense next season * Tressel: We need to improve * Tressel wants to see hunger this spring * Things to watch for in the spring * Spring ball gives coaches an opportunity to take stock * Morning Workout Photos * Tressel's success raises bar for others
Penn State	3/29-4/25 May as well be Closed	April 26th Blue 23 White 7	* Paterno has serious plans for top receiver * Penn State safety tries to regain form * Spring Game: Competition begins to replace Larry Johnson * PSU's Reed focused on starting job * Paterno discusses his evaluation of the Nittany Lions * Ron Bracken \| Under fire, Paterno throws up smoke screen * No questions answered in annual spring scrimmage * Tony Johnson to have strong supporting cast * Lions' defensive backfields leave room for improvement * Defensive line prowess still unclear * Blue wins by fewer errors * Paterno: altercation kept player on bench * Controversial TD Can't Rile JoePa In PSU Spring Game * Police Investigating Fight Between PSU Athletes * PSU defensive line coach to tackle NFL distraction * Penn State's Mills gets better grip on QB job * Robinson showing patience in his backup QB role * Blue-White Game Preview * Frank Giardina \| Blue-White weekend a spiritual reunion for some players * Experience missing from Penn State scrimmage * Penn State may have violated Big Ten rule by allowing Phillips to play in the Capital One Bowl * Penn State defense getting a makeover * Yisrael on road to recovery * Robinson gets shot at QB job * Mills receives a vote of confidence from Paterno * Mills still the favorite at quarterback spot * Paterno will not discuss Phillips * Coach Joe Paterno Press Conference * Paterno would like Pitt in Big Ten * Coaching Staff To Conduct Annual Spring Football Clinic April 11-12
Purdue	4/2-4/25	April 26th White 27 Black 6	* Orton solidifies role as No. 1 QB in Spring Game * Several out for spring game * Tiller encourages team to play safe, not stupid * Coach answers quarterback, kicker questions * White Defeats Black 27-6 In Football Spring Game * 2003 Spring Football Cumulative Statistics * No Doubt About It: Orton Is Purdue's Starting QB * Both Sides Shine In Second Spring Football Scrimmage * Tiller confirms end of tight-end's career * Red-shirt freshman works for starting position * Boilers respond to Tiller's challenge * Redshirt may benefit safety hopeful * Boilermaker offense feasts twice * Flemings suffers broken leg * Otto fills void on offensive line * Recognition for Schweigert, Standeford could come with title * Williams seeks more prominent role in offense * Tiller puts emphasis on scrimmage * Tiller Pleased With Progress Of Offensive Line * Tiller evaluates players after scrimmage * Harris, Phillips Turn In Strong Performaces In Football Scrimmage * Too many dropped passes offset big plays in football scrimmage * Gardner eager to tackle new year * Butler expected to anchor offensive line * Butler transfer challenging for kicking job * Spring Football Practice Report No. 5 * Wide receiver hopes to step up for big plays * Boiler Drill determines 'who's baddest' * Offensive line uses spring practice to prove abilities * Spring Football Practice Report No. 4 * Spring Football Practice Report No. 3 * Spring Football Practice Report No. 2 * Rhinehart To Take Medical Release From Scholarship * QBs back in spotlight * Tiller warming up to notion of two QB rotation * Spring football drills open with key starters missing * Spring practice kicks off with high hopes * Spring fever infects football players, coaches * Football Team Opens Spring Practice * Purdue football players begin spring training routine * Quarterbacks compete for starting spot * Spring Football Practice Times Announced * Spring Football Practice On The Horizon * Purdue fills coaching void with experience * Purdue names defensive backs coach
Wisconsin	3/6-4/11	April 12th Cardinal 17 White 30	* Alvarez likes progress along line $ Spring Game Flash Report $ Spring Game Thoughts $ Spring Game Alvarez Verbatim: Part 1 $ Spring Game Alvarez Verbatim: Part 2 $ Spring Game Alvarez Verbatim: Part 3 * UW's backfield loaded with talent * Sorgi ready to jump on big chance * Trial run proves Sorgi can take off * Schabert No. 2 quarterback * A gain without the pain * White Defeats Cardinal 30-17 in Spring Game * Spring Game will be a Punting Contest * UW FOOTBALL PREVIEW * UW's Hollins eager for test run at quarterback * Sorgi sings new tune as starting quarterback * Spring game offers first glimpse $ Spring Thoughts: Fullbacks * April 7 Practice Report * Spring Thoughts: Tight Ends * Offense springs ahead * Bucky hinges on aged defense * Wherever Lee goes, success follows $ Back to Wide Receiver * Mike Lucas: Leonhard's freedom comes without cost * James likely heading into final year $ April 5 Practice Report * UW linebacker Lewis' road hits middle ground * Joe Hart: UW coaching search left one stone unturned $ April 4 Practice Report $ Mid-Spring Thoughts: Wide Receiver $ Mid-Spring Thoughts: Running Back $ April 2 Practice Report $ Mid-Spring Thoughts: Quarterbacks * Right arm the charm for Stocco $ Weekend Spring Practice Report $ Spring Football Practice Report * Badger Kids Fair is Prior to Spring Game April 12 * Football Roster Additions/Subtractions * CAUTIOUS APPROACH * Spring Media Guide * Mike Lucas: Energy still drives UW assistant coach Ianello * Badger Nation Q&A: Secondary Coach Ron Lee $ Part 2: Ron Lee Q&A * Football Depth Chart

Weekly Recaps:

Week of 3/17 [3/19]
Week of 3/24 [3/26]
Week of 3/31 [4/2]
Week of 4/7 [4/9]
Springtime in the Big 10 [Hawk Central]
Big 10 Spring Practice Update [Lion News]
Spring Game Wrapups - Week 2 [4/21]

Big 10 Previews:College Football News

has the periodic "Whispers" Column


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