Northwestern's Two-Headed Monster: Corey Wootton, John Gill Rack Up Sacks

"You don’t get anything in life without working hard for it."

Those are the words that Northwestern defensive linemen Corey Wootton and John Gill live by each day.  The two big men are responsible for 55 percent of Northwestern’s season sack total and look forward to watching that number rise as they become more comfortable lining up next to each other.

Against Southern Illinois, in a game that head coach Pat Fitzgerald called "a monsoon" due to the weather conditions, Wootton and Gill combined for six tackles and three sacks in helping the Wildcats begin the season 3-0 for the first time since 2001. 

The 6'7", 270-pound Wootton has always been a hard worker but until now hadn’t seen it pay off.  Through three games, Wootton has accumulated a team high three-and-a-half sacks for 30 yards lost.  His presence alone is a major boost to a defense that recently welcomed back its other star, senior defensive tackle John Gill.

Together, Wootton and Gill form one of the strongest defensive lines in the country, a line that ranks 11th nationally in sacks, while making opposing quarterbacks lose sleep the night before facing them.

"He continues to get better every day," said Fitzgerald of Wotton.  "He's been out there for a number of battles and just continues to grow.  He's just got great experience for us, and he's now a veteran."

Just like Wootton has begun to receive the much-deserved recognition this season, his teammate Gill has been busy making headlines himself, both on and off the field.

Gill, a communications major, was hit with a one-game suspension to begin the year for violating team policy.  The week off, when the Wildcats defeated Syracuse, was the first time he had missed a football game in his entire career.

After using the time on the bench to reflect, Gill has regained his position next to Wootton as the leader of the purple defense.

"It was hard,” said Gill of his suspension.  "We're all competitive, and any time you have to sit out, it's tough. But it gave me a different perspective and showed me how important football is. I learned from it and will be better for it.

"I really have to take advantage of the opportunity I have."

Heading into his final year in Evanston, Gill was named to the preseason Outland and Nagurski Award watch lists.  His own head coach was a two-time winner of both awards as linebacker in 1995 and 1996.  If Gill can follow Fitzgerald’s lead, he too will find his name atop the list at the end of the season.

Wootton and Gill are two more examples of what has become a tradition of stellar defensive linemen in Wildcat history.

Former Wildcat and current San Diego Charger Luis Castillo is one example of player who took the unfamiliar path from Evanston to the NFL.  Napoleon Harris, who ranks 11th all-time in tackles for the Wildcats and was drafted in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft, was once traded for Randy Moss.

Despite what some may think, Northwestern players will continue to make an impact at the professional level.

Much of the success of the defensive line is from the heavy emphasis on speed and getting to the backfield.  Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz likes to see his players piling up sacks and keeps his linemen in shape by implementing a brand new way to keep his 300-pounders in shape.

"We had a great offseason of conditioning," said Wootton.  "Coach Hankwitz has brought tremendous strides to our program with different calls allowing us to make plays. It comes down to just getting off the ball fast and getting after it."

Last season, Gill frequently found himself getting after superior talent such as former Michigan star and current Indianapolis Colt running back Mike Hart.  Gill wrapped up the 2007 season with a team-leading eight-and-a-half tackles for loss and ranked second in sacks with four. 

"Our defense is just playing well together," said Fitzgerald.  "They've got trust.  I think our [entire] program has a lot of trust."

If Wootton and Gill continue to wreak havoc in the backfield, Fitzgerald can trust his team will be in prime position to win their first bowl game in 59 years.