Time of his life
Brewer plans to pursue life in campus ministry
Iowa City has a special place in Northwestern senior Andrew Brewer's heart. It's where he officially became a wide receiver.
He had started off his college career as a quarterback, the position he played in high school, but Northwestern's staff thought he had the makings of a better wide receiver with his speed, size and hands.
At Iowa on Nov. 4, 2006, Brewer lined up outside, took off with the snap, got behind the safety, pulled in a 48-yard pass and was credited with his first-ever catch. It would be his only one of the season, but it did have significance.
"It was kind of the birth of the wide receiver move for me," Brewer said.
Now a senior, Brewer is one of Northwestern's main targets. Lately, he's been one of the hottest receivers in the Big Ten. In the past three games, he has compiled 20 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns.
On Saturday, he looks to continue that streak, along with adding a new Iowa City memory, as he and the Wildcats travel to face No. 4 Iowa.
"We know how well we can play," Brewer said. "Last week [against Penn State] for three quarters, you saw us play an excellent ballgame. When we play well, we can play with anybody. Unfortunately, we haven't played our best game. We're still looking to do so."
The Wildcats have had success at Iowa before. The year Brewer had his first catch, Northwestern won 21-7. Last season, Northwestern won at Iowa again, beating the Hawkeyes 22-17 after being down 17-3.
Brewer missed the second win with a right knee injury. He also missed Northwestern's home game against Iowa in 2007, one the Wildcats lost, as he sat out the entire season after breaking his arm in the preseason.
After the shift to a new position early in his career and his numerous injuries the past couple of seasons, Brewer has especially enjoyed his senior season while setting career highs and playing continuously.
"One, it's been exciting to be injury-free for nine games," Brewer said. "Being my last and final year to play, I'm certainly going to miss being able to play. It's been a blast."
Brewer did go through one frustrating two-game patch this season when he went without a catch against Purdue and Miami (Ohio) in early October. That changed against Michigan State in the next game as he caught eight passes for 104 yards. The next week, he had eight more receptions for 135 yards against Indiana. Last week, he had six catches for 65 yards.
"He's done nothing different than he's done all year," said Northwestern wide receivers coach Kevin Johns of Brewer's recent games. "Every week, he comes out and he's such a great competitor. He's a different kid when he's playing football. I just think it's his demeanor. When you talk about Andrew Brewer, he's one of your Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He's very involved in that. He's a very calm young man. When he steps on the field, he flips that switch and plays aggressive and plays physical."
Brewer's faith is what is most important to him. As a high school senior, it became that way.
"Basically, I was driving home one night, hanging out with some friends, and I heard as clear as day, 'Stop running from me,'" Brewer said. "I knew that I needed to do something. I surrendered myself to the Lord. I was living for myself and what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the best athlete I could be in every sport. If other things came in the way, I would push them aside."
When Brewer's football career does end after the season, he plans to pursue a life in campus ministry and share his faith with others.
"The biggest thing I've learned is life is not about me," Brewer said. "God had changed my motivation and my plans."
Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at spowers@espnchicago.com.
