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Yesterday we posted about how although Venric Mark was listed as the starter on Northwestern's depth chart, it didn't particularly mean much.
Considering Northwestern a) had listed Mark as a starter before in games he sat b) nobody said anything of substance as to whether Mark would play c) we need to be gloomy and doomy because WE'RE TOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS NORTHWESTERN-OHIO STATE GAME AND NEED SOMETHING TO HOLD US BACK DAMMIT, we expressed disappointment with the uncertainty surrounding Mark's injury.
But the more people talk about Venric Mark, the more it seems like he'll be ready to go. Various reports from practice today:
Northwestern RB Venric Mark practiced fully today as both a back and as a punt returner. Fitzgerald: "It's a heck of a free-agent pickup."
— Rittenberg/Bennett (@ESPN_BigTen) October 1, 2013
Video coming of Mark talking about return for Ohio State. Called it "a reward." Suffered lower-body injury early in camp, not 100% at Cal.
— Rittenberg/Bennett (@ESPN_BigTen) October 1, 2013
Venric Mark: "I've got my mojo back. I'm happy." #Northwestern
— Nick Medline (@NMedlineFOX) October 1, 2013
Mark didn't explicitly say he was 100 percent. But from here, looked pretty damn close.
— Nick Medline (@NMedlineFOX) October 1, 2013
Here's Mark actually talking:
It sounds like Mark shouldn't have played against Cal. It also sounds like he thinks he's ready to go, and although Pat Fitzgerald won't say anything besides that he is "optimistic" Mark will be able to play, it seems like he's practicing as is.
We said this yesterday, but Mark makes Northwestern's horizontal run game dynamic when paired in the option alongside Kain Colter, and he's a big part of the reason Northwestern's special teams put the team in a position to win games last year. Northwestern has gone 4-0 without him because of weak opposition and because Treyvon Green has looked alright. But we know what Mark can do, and we know it's good to have him.
You know, I was already too pumped for this game. And now, we know that there's a Marknado coming.
More from Sippin' On Purple:
- Northwestern vs. Ohio State: The biggest game in Wildcats' history?
- Venric Mark injury: Northwestern RB listed as starter on Ohio State depth chart
- Northwestern vs. Ohio State: Handicapping the Wildcats' College GameDay Guest Picker
- Northwestern vs. Ohio State: The College GameDay Sign Symposium
- Northwestern vs. Ohio State odds: Wildcats 5.5-point underdogs vs. Buckeyes