Two good, one bad on NU injury report

The good news for Northwestern? Senior cornerback Sherrick McManis and junior middle linebacker Nate Williams aren't on Northwestern's injury report that was released this afternoon.

That suggests both are good to go for Saturday's Big Ten opener against Minnesota -- and that's big news because both were missed during last week's loss at Syracuse. Backup running back Jeravin Matthews also can't be found on the injury list. The sophomore speedster has been out since early in the Towson opener.

Alas, junior RB Stephen Simmons is listed as "out" with an ankle injury. That means redshirt sophomore Jacob Schmidt, a former walk-on from Rhinelander, Wis., could start for the second straight week. We'll have plenty more on Schmidt's unlikely rise from the Northwoods to Northwestern in Saturday's Daily Herald.

Also listed as "out:"
RB Alex Daniel (ankle)
Backup CB Justan Vaughn (leg)
Backup OL Mike Boyle (back)

LW