Northrop Hoping For More Growth In '12

CLICK ON VIDEO TAB TO SEE WANE'S COVERAGE AND FULL INTERVIEWS WITH COLIN BROCKHOUSE (CLIP 2), SPENCER COWHERD (CLIP 3) AND HEAD COACH TIM MARTONE (CLIP 4).

FORT WAYNE, IN. - Two years ago it was two wins. Last year - four wins. Third-year Northrop head coach Tim Martone would love to double up in the win column again in 2012, but he'll settle for continued improvement from the Bruins.

Northrop certainly has the pieces to do it. Record-setting quarterback Colin Brockhouse returns to lead an offense that features experience up front and in the backfield. The biggest question mark is on the outside, where the Bruins lost three wide receivers to graduation. With that said, Martone is very high on senior wideout Spencer Cowherd as a potential offensive star.

On defense, Northrop will be faster than in years past. Defensive end Austin Pearson is a special player, already receiving interest from major Division I programs.

The biggest key for a successful season will unquestionably lie with a quicker start than last fall. The Bruins started the season 0-4, before reeling off four straight wins.

The season opener is on the road at East Noble.