Northwestern running back Tyris Jones was a walk-on, biding his time until this spring. It seemed like Jones is really getting a chance to play, as evidenced in the NU spring game at Ryan Field on Saturday. Jones rushed for 30 yards on six carries. Offensive coordinator Mick McCall liked what he saw.

"Tyris has been a really good addition to what we do in the backfield. He is a downhill runner and can block as a fullback and brings that toughness and an attitude which is nice," McCall said. "He's always been around, but he gets more opportunity. He was a walk-on linebacker and we moved him over to running back. He's going to have a role, let's put it that way."

Other tidbits gleaned from Saturday's spring game:

* Quarterback Kain Colter has played well despite his arm strength being at only 80 percent, the freshman said after Saturday's spring game. Colter had surgery on his right shoulder his senior year of high school after he tore his labrum and right bicep tendon. He said he promises his arm strength will be at 100 percent in time for training camp.

* Coach Pat Fitzgerald said that if the Wildcats played Boston College today (their season opener is at BC on Sept. 3), running back Mike Trumpy would start. That said, the Wildcats have a lot of other options in the backfield, too, so Trumpy would share reps with others like Adonis Smith and Tyris Jones.

Fitzgerald also said that running back Jacob Schmidt should be cleared to play on Sunday. Schmidt has been out with an ankle injury since the Michigan State game on Oct. 23.