The hype is finally over, and the game is finally beginning.

The 1997 college football season kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday on Soldier Field in Chicago when OU takes on the Northwestern Wildcats.

OU football fans have been looking forward to the Pigskin Classic since the deal was sealed in early May.

Although Northwestern has lost the services of star running back Darnell Autry and quarterback Steve Schnur, the Sooners face a tough task against the two-time defending Big 10 conference champions.

Filling those roles for the Wildcats this season will be senior Adrian Autry and fifth-year senior quarterback Tim Hughes.

Head coach Garry Barnett named Hughes the starter after the Wildcats' three-hour and 10-minute practice on Monday.

However, Barnett said second string quarterback Chris Hamdorf will also see action against the Sooners.

"Chris will play in the first series in the second quarter," Barnett said. "Both played well during fall practices and no one deserved not to play. It all came down to game-day experience and scrimmage situations and Tim came out on top."

OU senior defensive lineman Martin Chase said that he wants to lead the Sooner defense into battle against Northwestern's offense.

"I have to be the leader and show the younger guys what it takes to play collegiate football," Chase said. "If the young guys don't know what to do, I want to lead them."

The Sooners' defense will have to focus on Northwestern's two offensive weapons in Adrian Autry and wide receiver D'Wayne Bates.

Adrian Autry, primarily a back-up last year, showed his potential when Darnell Autry was out with injuries.

Adrian Autry was named Big 10 offensive player of the week Oct. 28 following a 128-yard, two-touchdown performance against Illinois.

Against Wisconsin, Adrian Autry rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns after Darnell Autry suffered a shoulder injury.

Bates caught 75 passes for 12 touchdowns last season. Fifty of his receptions went for first down, and he set a single-season school record with his 1,196 receiving yards.

Barnett said that the biggest challenge in the game will be the way his team's players adjust to OU's speed.

"They've got good speed on defense," he said. "They are experienced on defense in several critical spots. They have a good nucleus."

OU sophomore quarterback Justin Fuente said that the Wildcats don't have any outstanding players, but they do play smart football.

"I think they are a very solid football team," Fuente said. "Their players know their roles and they know how to execute on defense."

Although the Wildcats lost linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, a two-time national defensive player of the year, the Wildcats return six starters to the defense. Linebacker Barry Gardner, safety Eric Collier and defensive linemen Keith Lozowski and Casey Dailey will anchor the Wildcat defense.


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