Northwestern Loses Corner

Northwestern knew its secondary would face a stern test in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., against much-heralded Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. That task became tougher this week when Hudhaifa Ismaeli, a cornerback and kick returner for the 11th-ranked Wildcats, was suspended for testing positive for marijuana for the second time this season.

Ismaeli, a senior, made 59 tackles this season. He was suspended for Northwestern’s season opener against Wake Forest for his first infraction.

Ismaeli claimed the second test was tainted because he had been with others who were smoking marijuana, although he hadn’t smoked any himself. However, his attempt to win a restraining order was denied in Illinois Circuit Court.

“We knew a long time ago this was imminent,” Coach Gary Barnett said. “I was very disappointed in Hudhaifa, that he would put his team in this position.”

Ismaeli’s replacement will be sophomore Gerald Conoway, who played the last 10 games, mostly at nickel back but also some at cornerback.

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It’s not the Rose Bowl, but Northwestern’s players were more than happy to leave Chicago’s 5-degree temperatures behind when they arrived in Florida on Wednesday evening to prepare for their New Year’s Day matchup against Tennessee.

“It’s like going on vacation with 100 of your best friends,” said senior offensive tackle Justin Chabot. “Practice is going to be hard, but the rest of it will be wonderful.”

The Wildcats left home two weeks before the Rose Bowl last year, but this year chose to remain in Evanston, Ill., and work at their new indoor practice facility until Wednesday. “It was a little early last year,” Chabot said, “but it wasn’t the coaches’ decision because we didn’t have an indoor facility. This year has worked out tremendous. We practiced, everyone went home and now we’re back together again. It’s like we’ve been away for summer vacation. Everyone’s happy to see each other.”

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This will be the first bowl game for senior linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, who sat out the Rose Bowl because of a broken leg. Fitzgerald, a two-time winner of the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards as the best defensive player in the country, can’t wait.

“It’s what you work hard for,” he said. “Last year was tough, but I learned a lot.”

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Tennessee also arrived in Orlando on Wednesday, and like the Wildcats, the ninth-ranked Volunteers have a busy schedule that includes tours of area attractions.

But unlike Northwestern, this is old hat to Tennessee: This is the Volunteers’ third Citrus Bowl appearance in four years. They defeated Ohio State, 20-14, last year.

“I’ve seen Mickey Mouse and done those things. I’m here to play a football game,” said senior defensive back Raymond Austin.

Coach Philip Fulmer said he’s mildly concerned players might have a been-there-done-that feeling, but said the different opponent this season will provide enough variety.