Northwestern University has a long, proud tradition on the silver screen. It has served as the institution of higher learning for such Hollywood giants as Charlton Heston, Ann-Margret, Tony Randall and current stars David Schwimmer and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Darnell Autry hopes to follow in their footsteps someday, but for now he is more than content to be the star player on gridiron for the Big-Ten champion Wildcats.
On the field, the junior running back is setting school rushing records and helping turn one of college football's most notoriously poor programs into a winner. Off the field, he is pursuing his other dream by studying in Northwestern's legendary theater department and seeking roles wherever he can find them.
Autry captured the nation's attention last year as he rushed for over 100 yards in all 12 Wildcat games and finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist. His hard work and running and receiving skills have made him a leading candidate for the Heisman again this year.
"He's a total package in that he has great practice habits," Northwestern head coach Gary Barnett said. "He, believe it or not, runs as hard in practice as he does in games. He's a tremendous competitor. I know I don't think I've coached a better one."
Autry also displays tremendous natural ability and instinct on the field.
"I think his strength is how quickly he hits his hole," Duke junior linebacker Chike Egbuniwe said. "He decides where he's going and he's there. He has a lot of freedom to cut back. You never know where he's going to take the ball, contrary to Warrick Dunn. He's a powerful back and also a very fast back."
Autry's streak of consecutive 100-yard games was extended to 14, as he rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 28-27 upset loss to Wake Forest. If Northwestern is to return to its winning ways, Autry will have to continue to help carry the offense.
"It's important that I do my job," Autry said. "I don't know if its important, specifically, for me to get 100 yards. What's important is that I do my job and do what my teammates and my coaches ask of me."
What he has accomplished in only two years is admirable to say the least. Last year, he was named the team's Most Valuable Player, first-team All-Big Ten, and second-team All-America while rushing for a school record 1,785 yards.
Autry's acting career has taken off as well, although not quite as prolifically. This spring he flew to Rome to appear in a limited role in a supernatural thriller titled "The Eighteenth Angel."
"I was there for three days in Italy and my part was limited," Autry said. "I had like four words-this guy asks me if I have something and I say, 'I'll check the archives,' and then I'm off the screen. Then that guy dies, so I don't show up ever again. It was fun, though, and I met a bunch of great people."
Considering Autry's affinity for acting, it might seem safe to assume that it was Northwestern's strong reputation for theater that drew him there-not so.
"I didn't necessarily come to Northwestern for acting, originally, because I didn't know what I wanted to do," Autry said. "Before I came to college, I tried all that modeling stuff-not because I thought I was cute or nothing-but because I wanted to find a way in. Modeling can lead to commercials, then into videos and maybe movies. I tried that, but I was either too big or too small or not the right look, so I was like forget it.
"Then my first two quarters here I was so unhappy that I didn't care. I was like, [Northwestern] sucks! Once I got to spring quarter I decided to calm down and relax and try and do some things for me. That is when I decided to go into the theater program, and I've been there ever since."
Autry made his original college choice based on a combination of athletics and academics.
"Here I get the best of both worlds," Autry said. "I get to play football and go to a great academic school, because football is not my life-it's a big part, but not the whole thing. I want to have something to fall back on, because [football] will be over eventually.
"I also believed in coach Barnett, and I believed we would go to the Rose Bowl-though I didn't know when."
Autry traveled a long way to reach the Rose Bowl last year. As the son of an Air Force officer, he relocated many times-after being born in Weisbaden, Germany-before he and his family eventually settled in Tempe, Ariz., where he starred in both football and track and field. He earned all-state honors in football and was the state champion in the 100 and 200 meters as well.
Now Autry has moved from the best back on a sub-par team to a Heisman contender for the defending Big Ten champs. Autry remains focused on his team's success, however, rather than worry about the individual accolades.
"The only time I think about [the Heisman] is when everyone asks me," Autry said. "I don't think about it at all because I would much rather go to the Rose Bowl again than win any individual award or trophy."
Regardless of the outcome of this football season, Autry will be back at work in the spring, doing his best to fulfill his other dream.
"It's too hectic during the season, so I just focus on football for now," Autry said. "Then in the winter and spring quarters I see what I can do elsewhere. I'm going to do as many school plays as possible and then... we'll see what happens."
Perhaps Autry could get some practice this weekend and make the Blue Devils very happy at the same time by playing the part of an ineffective tailback. It would be a big stretch. Hopefully, he is a very talented actor.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.