Wildcats defend alleged strike

Originally Published: September 10, 2003
By Herb Gould | Special to ESPN.com
Too bad this Northwestern-Air Force series doesn't continue next year. The Wildcats and Falcons are getting into some wild, wacky stuff. NU coach Randy Walker dismissed as "preposterous" Air Force claims that a Northwestern assistant deliberately elbowed Air Force quarterback Chance Harridge in the third quarter of the Falcons' 22-21 victory over Northwestern. Harridge, who had just lost a fumble, responded with a punch and was ejected.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. I'd be happy to share that film with anyone," Walker said, adding that Big Ten supervisor of officials David Parry agreed with him. The assistant inadvertently made contact with Harridge while trying to reach NU linebacker John Pickens to celebrate, Walker said.

The bottom line: If Air Force, by accusing NU of instigating, was trying to spare Harridge from the one-game suspension that accompanies an ejection like his, it made its point. Mountain West Conference officials have waived the suspension.

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Herb Gould

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