[NU Sports] genius or luck?

[Tom Maycock]

> As it turned out, we stuffed them on that punt and got decent field
> position [or
> did they drive it] anyway we got the points at the end.

We did drop the punt in perfectly--about the 10 or so. The defense
forced Iowa into a 3rd and long, and we were poised to get the ball
back on the 50 (or better with a good return). 

Unfortunately, the D gave up a completion for the first. I think Iowa
got another first or two after that as well. So, by the time we forced
a punt, we ended up starting on about our own 10.

So, the result wasn't what you would have hoped for, but I think it
still proved to be the right decision.

> Here's another thing to think about - Thompson and Philmore don't
> drop the long passes and then would NU have been up enough ?

Yep, that play where Thompson stopped running too soon, leading to an
overthrow, bugged me right up until, oh, about 0:00 seconds left in the
game! That was an 80+ yard TD pass waiting to happen.

Baz is really showing some nice touch on the long ball now, but on more
than one occassion Saturday, receivers who were open deep gave up on a
play a little too early. 

Philmore certainly redeemed himself on that incredible catch on the
crossing pattern--I think it was the last drive? He just plain wanted
the ball more than the defender who was draped all over him. Our little
group of observers agreed that was a case of a senior who was 100%
determined to go out on a good note.

There was a great pic in the Trib yesterday of Philmore making the
"first down" signal, despite still be upside down and folded in half on
the ground!

I think Thompson had at least one huge catch as well.

Tom