[NU Sports] Epic Game

[Mark S. Ament]

Some thoughts after following up the epic win with watching Louisville 
demolish UNC.

I will take back only part of what I have said about Walker in the last 
couple of weeks.  The team came out and played with spirit and fire 
today.  They flew to the ball all over the field.  The offense executed 
about as well as they can possibly execute and the offensive game plan 
was a masterpiece.  While I had believed going in that we had a good 
chance to win, I never dreamed we could put up more than 50 points.

BUT, I also never believed that we were going to have to put up more 
than 50 points to win.  Let's not get too enamored with the win to 
overlook the shortcomings of this defense and its scheme.  While Walker 
undoubtedly erased any doubts about his return next year, I for one 
think almost all of his defensive staff (except Fitz, of course) ought 
to be up for release.  That defense is a disgrace.

Right now, Penn State is up 14-3 with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd 
quarter.  A win here gives them the lead in the Big Ten and a major leg 
up in the race for the title, and if our defense had played halfway 
decent in the second half, NU should have easily beaten PSU.  To me, the 
coaching staff had as much to do with losing the Penn State game as the 
players.

Enough negativity for now.  Let's celebrate a great win with outstanding 
performances by Baz and Tyrell and let's all give thanks that Maurice 
Clarett lost his suit against the NFL so Tyrell will be with us for at 
least two more years.