Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • C5

Evan Hull of Maple Grove admits driven by showing the Gophers what they missed out on. By MARCUS FULLER marcus.fuller@startribune.com hen Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald and his staff recruited Minnesota native Evan Hull in high school, they saw poten- tial that not many major college programs did, including the Gophers. Hull, the all-time leading rusher at Maple Grove, is grateful that the Wildcats a chance on he said. Two years later, starting sophomore tailback plays the Gophers (5-2) on Saturday, trying to show the entire Big Ten not just his home-state pro- gram what missing. lot of things put a chip on my shoulder, and I used them as fuel coming out of Hull said.

to prove them wrong and my coaches Hull, who had a 75-yard touchdown run for the Wild- cats (3-4) in last 33-7 loss at Michigan, ranks sev- enth in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (91.9) and fifth in yards per carry (6.4). After projected starter Cam Porter suffered a season- ending leg injury in August, Hull was the next in line after a strong fall camp. He disappoint, rushing for 87 yards in the season opener vs. Michigan State, followed by 126 yards against Indiana State. A career-best 216 yards in a win against Ohio on Sept.

25 was second career 200-yard performance, the other being in his first career start as a freshman vs. Massachusetts in 2019. Northwestern running backs coach Louis Ayeni, a for- mer Woodbury standout and member of the 2000 Big Ten championship team, was responsible for recruiting Hull. After two years showing glimpses of talent as a pri- mary backup, Hull said Ayeni wanted to see him prepare for a bigger role. They worked on strengthening legs to become a more physical runner through contact, instead of just relying on his big-play ability.

had some great conversations with the strength coach and Coach Lou about what I needed to Hull said. I pulled back and was smarter about what I did extra, in the weight room or in the playbook, when things started to really work out for me. I started making Hull already has more carries through seven games than he did his first two seasons combined (101 to 71). His 90-yard run against Ohio is the second longest in the Big Ten this year behind Kenneth Walker 94-yarder for Michigan State. Walker and Hull are the only Big Ten backs with multiple runs of 75 yards or longer this year.

Fitzgerald described Hull as tough, gritty, and all- around player who being that feature once Northwestern was hit by injuries. were really excited with him and Cam going into the Fitzgerald said. he continues on this path, he puts himself in the conversation to be an All-Big Ten- level back. what we thought would happen in recruiting as he Last weekend against Michigan, the Wildcats cut their deficit to 10-7 in the second quarter after 75-yard TD run, but ground attack took a back seat once Northwestern fell too far behind in the second half. Hull rushed just six times for 81 yards, his fewest carries in a game this season.

His worst performances this year (31 yards vs. Nebraska and 49 yards vs. Duke) appeared to be a result of inconsistent offensive line play as much as anything. got to be better at running the Fitzgerald said. how we are built.

what we want to be able to do. It opens up everything In his only other game against the Gophers, Hull had 14 carries for 51 yards his freshman year in 2019, but North- western fell 38-22 at home. The Wildcats are eager to get back on track with another Big Ten win Saturday at Ryan Field, but Hull said he also has something a bit more to play for against Minnesota. always means a little more playing the hometown team for Hull said. get a chance to play them last year because of COVID-19.

just exciting, honestly, because I know a lot of guys on the MINNESOTA FUEL HELPS HULL RUN COLLEGE FOOTBALLNFL NAM Y. HUH Associated Press Sophomore Evan Hull leads Northwestern in rushing this season with 643 yards and an average of 6.4 per carry. Star Tribune Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald on former Maple Grove standout Evan Hull: he continues on this path, he puts himself in the conversation to be an All-Big Ten-level Mobile QBs meet for first time Thursday as Cardinals, Packers battle. By DAVID BRANDT Associated Press GLENDALE, ARIZ. Kyler Murray has become one of the most excit- ing quarterbacks, scurrying around in the pocket to avoid would-be tacklers and often finishing with spectacular throws downfield.

Come to think of it, that sounds a lot like a descrip- tion of Green Aaron Rodgers. no surprise then that Murray who is 13 years younger than Rodgers has modeled portions of his game after Rodgers. Now the two early-season MVP candidates will meet on the field for the first time in their NFL careers when the Cardinals play host the Packers on Thursday night. probably my favorite quarterback to watch his swag, the way he plays the game, what done in his Murray said. admire his game a lot.

First time play- ing against him, first time being able to meet him. pretty cool, looking forward to The Cardinals are 7-0 for the first time since 1974 and trying to set a franchise record for wins to start a season. Green Bay (6-1) got crushed 38-3 in the season opener against the Saints, but since then has won six consecu- tive games. Rodgers is rolling during that six-game stretch, throwing 15 touchdowns and only one interception. Rodgers had plenty of com- plimentary words for Murray as well.

He also acknowledged that even though only Week 8, there are playoff-type vibes in the air. aware of Rodg- ers said. lot of times when not playing a division opponent, it comes down to the tiebreakers like this. still a lot of football and a lot that can happen throughout the season with momentum and the way teams play, but this is an important Green Bay will likely be playing this game without receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, who went on the list this week. Adams is tied for second in the NFL in catches (52) and is third in yards receiving (744).

The virus also has impacted Green coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry tested positive this week and be available Thurs- day. Arizona can relate. The Car- dinals are just getting over a virus outbreak on their roster. Coach Kliff Kingsbury, quar- terbacks coach Cam Turner, edge rusher Chandler Jones and defensive linemen Zach Allen and Corey Peters have all missed time over the past two weeks.

Everyone but Peters has returned. The Cardinals navigated those COVID-19 challenges and still beat Cleveland and Houston. Arizona expects Green Bay will have similar resiliency. the NFL level, you count out teams when some- not on the Cardi- nals rookie linebacker Zaven Collins said. and are great players, but usually not a very big drop-off when a backup is in.

something you have to take into account. It might not change that The Cardinals are also missing some star power. Sources were reporting that defensive end J.J. Watt is likely to have season-ending shoul- der surgery after missing practice all week. Kingsbury is known for his air raid-style passing game, but the run game is also among the elite this year, ranking fifth in the NFL (136.6 yards per game).

Murray, Rodgers to showcase skills ASSOCIATED PRESS Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield tested his injured left shoulder by practicing Wednesday, and if all goes well, he intends to play Sun- day against the Steelers. Mayfield had to sit out last 17-14 victory end- ing his streak of 53 consecu- tive starts over the Broncos because of a torn labrum and broken bone in his non-throw- ing shoulder, an injury he made worse by continuing to play since hurting it in Week 2. He said after resting his shoulder over the weekend was a noticeable differ- ence in range of motion and If the injury respond the way he or team doctors hope, Mayfield jeopardize his health or the chances. a situation where I would hurt the team if I was out there playing, not going to do he said. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Mayfield would not be limited in practice as the Browns (4-3) began getting ready for the Steelers (3-3).

Etc. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, out the past four games because of fractured ribs, returned to practice for the Bucs, as did inside linebacker Lavonte David (high ankle sprain) and cornerback Richard Sherman (strained hamstring). Mike White will make his first NFL start Sunday for the Jets against the Bengals in place of the injured Zach Wilson. Wil- son has a sprained posterior cruciate ligament and will be sidelined at least two weeks. The Jets also placed lineback- ers Jamien Sherwood (rup- tured tendon) and former Gopher Blake Cashman (groin) on injured reserve.

Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor returned to practice for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 2, but his status for game against the Rams remains uncertain. Taylor opened the season as starter with Deshaun Watson sitting out amid a trade request and 22 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment or assault. Raiders owner Mark Davis, speaking after the NFL owners meetings ended Wednesday, said the team has reached a settlement with former coach Jon Gruden. He did not reveal terms of the settlement. Gruden resigned Oct.

11 after racist, homophobic and misogynis- tic comments he made were uncovered during an investigat- ing of workplace misconduct at the Washington Football Team. LEAGUE NOTES Mayfield plans to play against Steelers GOPHERS AT NORTHWESTERN 2:30 p.m. Saturday (BTN) GAME AY AT A I A 7:20 p.m. Ch. A A I I Packers at Cardinals: Add COVID-19 protocols to the long list of reasons NFL players be asked to play two games on three rest.

The Packers were hit by the virus after Sun- win over Washington. WRs Davante Adams and Allen Lazard and DC Joe Barry are out. Adams, of course, is the biggie. But as long as QB Aaron Rodgers plays, they can win without Adams. Prediction: Packers 34, Cardinals 33 ZSW C5 Thursday, Oct.

28, 2021 DAY, 2 8 2 0 2 1 TA I C5.