Throughout Northwestern's arduous season, which featured several gut-wrenching losses that prevented a third bowl trip in the last four years, Fitzgerald attacked every situation with a stiff upper lip and an upbeat attitude.

Now comes the last "first" on Fitzgerald's head coach learning curve: Northwestern's 15 spring practices that conclude with the April 21 spring game.

The Wildcats retain seven starters on offense (including virtually all of their skill players) and eight starters on defense, which gives them a good base heading into the 2007 season.

But Fitzgerald and his staff need to answer several crucial questions during spring ball. Their special teams, which weren't exactly special last year, are one giant question mark after losing their kicker and punter.

They need to find a right tackle to replace the graduated Ryan Keenan. And, perhaps most important, they need to find a pair of outside linebackers who can deal with all of the different combinations Northwestern will see in the Big Ten.

It's a full plate, to be sure. But if Northwestern finds suitable answers in most areas, then the Wildcats can ride junior running back Tyrell Sutton and their improved defensive line and secondary crews to a bowl bid.

Sutton amassed more of those statistics in his freshman year as opposed to his sophomore year, which had some wondering if the 5-foot-9, 190-pounder was a beneficiary of playing with quarterback Brett Basanez (now with the Carolina Panthers).

Judging by his offseason work, Sutton wants to leave no doubt he's his only man. Coach Pat Fitzgerald gushed over Sutton's effort in Northwestern's spring prospectus.

"What I saw from Tyrell this winter is that he had a much better winter than his freshman year," Fitzgerald said. "He's very hungry. His work ethic has reached a point where he feels very confident going into spring and he's going to have a great junior season."

COACHING CAROUSEL: Because Pat Fitzgerald became Northwestern's boss at an awkward time in the year -- barely a month before fall drills -- he spent his first season with the staff assembled by the late Randy Walker (except for Fitzgerald's hire of Randy Bates to replace Fitzgerald as linebackers coach).

While there were rumblings Fitzgerald might shake things up, his staff remains intact heading into spring ball. It's a group that bonded particularly closely after Walker's untimely passing last June, which makes them that much more trusting of each other.

SCHEDULE SITUATION: Pat Fitzgerald doesn't want to hear anything about an easy nonconference schedule -- not after his Wildcats dropped a home game to Playoff Subdivision studs Delaware last fall.

Nonetheless, Northwestern boasts a schedule conducive to a bowl trip. The Wildcats open with three home games: Playoff Subdivision also-rans Northeastern (5-6 in 2006); solid Nevada (8-5) and winless Duke. In October, NU faces Eastern Michigan (1-11) at Ford Field in Detroit.

If it's fair to expect NU to go 3-1 or 4-0 in nonconference play, then it's a matter of finding two or three Big Ten wins. The Wildcats open with a trip to Ohio State and a visit from Michigan (gulp), but the slate also includes games with Michigan State, Minnesota, Indiana and Illinois. The key game just might be the Nov. 3 home date with Iowa, which smarts after losing to NU last November in Iowa City.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "A year ago, Northwestern beat Northwestern a lot. We need to focus on ourselves this spring." -- Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said.

QB C.J. Bacher -- Though coach Pat Fitzgerald insists there's a three-way competition at quarterback, with sophomore Mike Kafka and redshirt frosh Joe Mauro also in the mix, it's hard to imagine this junior not earning the job. Bacher (1,172 yards, six TDs) gave NU's offense a jolt when he jumped into the starting lineup for the last five games.

DE Corey Wootton -- This rangy sophomore scratched the surface last fall when he amassed a team-high nine tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks. Wootton is so athletic and aware, he picked off two passes last year.

S Brendan Smith -- Simply a playmaker. He finished second on the team in tackles (68) to go with a team-high three interceptions and two recovered fumbles.

TOP NEWCOMERS: WR Sidney Stewart -- It's probably not right to single out Stewart because he's one of three redshirt freshman wide receivers who are expected to make an immediate impact. Stewart is listed as the No. 2 flanker on the spring depth chart while Carl Fisher and Lee Coleman are 2-3 at the "Y" slot.

RT Kurt Mattes -- This 6-foot-6, 290-pound sophomore is the leading candidate to replace Ryan Keenan at right tackle.

LB Bryce McNaul -- Northwestern has both of its outside linebacker spots open. While it's unlikely a true freshman can start right away, this 6-foot-4, 235-pounder from Eden Prairie, Minn., has the resume and the reputation as a huge hitter.

CB Jordan Mabin -- As another undersized but prolific running back from Ohio, Mabin reminds of Tyrell Sutton. But Mabin is determined to be the best cornerback he can be, which would be a huge help for a program that historically struggles to build depth at the corner.

ROSTER REPORT: After undergoing offseason surgeries, starting quarterback C.J. Bacher and starting safety Brendan Smith aren't participating in early spring practices. They have a chance to take part in the practices leading up to the April 21 spring game.

Andrew Brewer, who started four games at quarterback last year, officially has become a wide receiver. The speedster, listed as a starter on the spring depth chart, figures to be an important part of a deep receiving corps. Coach Pat Fitzgerald even suggests he'll be a factor as a return man.