[NU Sports] interesting story in the daily

[Abrahamson, Alan]

 The story is about senior safety Frederic Tarver due back in the starting lineup this weekend against big bad blue.
 But the real news is the follow-on item, at the bottom of the layout, about how Nick Roach is healthy. Healthy, he is a force at linebacker -- 19 tackles over the past two games as opposed to 21 in the first five games. "His improved play has coincided with better defensive performance for the Cats," the article notes. Hmm. You think?
 Also, this ironic nugget, for those who would -- at the risk of raining on a parade -- keep pointing out the Cats' hilarious defensive statistics. (Who? Me?!) Senior safety Herschel Henderson was named the Bronko Nagurski national defensive player of the week for his performance against Sparty. Tim McGarigle earned the nod two weeks ago. Since we are all Northwestern graduates (or students), I will assume that everyone understand the irony keenly. Obviously, I would have to explain if this list were, say, Ohio State rooters ...  
 I also feel compelled, since most of us on this list are college fb junkies, to point out an excellent college fb blog. Go to http://thewizardofodds.blogspot.com. No www in the URL. Down the list you'll find a mid-season report card from a writer in Iowa City that gives the Wildcats top marks. Surprisingly (I mean this for real), McGarigle isn't mentioned as a defensive standout (because lord knows he truly is outstanding).
 Yours in purple, Alan