[NU Sports] Where is everyone?

[John Labbe]

We lacked a running game only in the first quarter.  Roberson couldn't 
get anywhere.  Starting in the second quarter, we did develop a running 
game.  Sutton looked great.  We may have made some other adjustments as 
well, but we did get it going on the ground---3 rushing TDs and 194 
rushing yards on 47 attempts.  The highlight of the day, I think, was 
the passing attack, but after we get in rhythm, we had a fairly 
balanced attack.  3 or our 4 TD drives in the 2d quarter were 75 yards 
or more, including one of 88 yards.  They were solid, sustained drives.

So I think the offense looked pretty good.

I agree the defense is still an open question, but you have to give 
them some credit based on Saturday's performance.  The defense didn't 
give up a single 3d down conversion, and they only gave up 7 points.

Admittedly, Ohio is the weakest foe on our schedule this season.  But I 
thought our performance on Saturday gave reason for optimism, 
especially considering the concern we've all had about how young the 
team is.  Someone mentioned the 2001 UNLV game as an example of a good 
start in what turned out to be a bad season.  But they don't remember 
correctly.  Yes, we beat UNLV to begin the 2001 season, but it was a 
fairly close game in which we gave up lots of points and only won by 
about 10.  On Saturday, we gave up few points and won easily.  I 
frankly can't remember a single game I've been at in the past 10 years 
when I felt as comfortable as I did yesterday with 10 minutes left in 
the game.  2001 was a unique season where we crumbled mid-season in a 
way I hope we never see again.

I think our guys realize that they just won the easiest game of the 
season and they'll have to continue to improve and play well to be 
competitive, but I think we have a chance to do that based on 
Saturday's performance.

Btw, if you missed the game, we easily could have scored more points, 
but we pulled Baz early in the 4th quarter, and our second string did a 
pretty good job, but they blew two late TD opportunities, one with a 
fumble into the endzone, and another with an interception in the 
endzone.


On Sep 4, 2005, at 2:33 PM, SjT (Stephen J. Truog) wrote:

> A Wildcat Wrap will be coming tonight after I return
> to Arizona -- just checking mail quick now before the
> plane flight.
>
> Our lack of a running game wasn't surprising given
> graduation and the off-season news, but it was still
> troubling. However, Baz and the wideouts put on a nice
> display in the second quarter and looked sharp. I LOVE
> that we're using ALL of the field and hereby designate
> Herbert as "The Middle Man."
>
> On D, we still had some gaps in the secondary (again,
> not surprising given the news the past 9 months) --
> but Roach and McGarrigle are rock solid at LB and our
> "no name" line got some pressure and played with
> a lot of spunk and heart.
>
> Is it good enough to get 6 wins against this schedule?
> I'm not sure yet. But it did show me that this team
> has rallied around each other despite all the news of
> the past year and has solid leadership from #14 and
> #41 on both sides of the ball. They may not win, but
> they will show up to fight each week. So that was
> encouraging.
>
> As for Howells, he had some LONG kicks - just needs to
> work on that accuracy. But he also had a fumble
> recovery and two smackdown tackles on kickoffs, so a
> good day overall. As for the last ? about the lines,
> the D looked better than I anticipated and the O was
> worse -- the RB situation we all know, but our line
> needs to be able to handle Ohio's defensive line, even
> if they are stacking the box.
>
> Good to have football back! More tonight from the
> desert.
>
> GO CATS!!! BEAT THE HUSKIES!!!
> -SjT
>
> --- "J.R. McCullough" <jmccull at insight.rr.com> wrote:
>
>> * For anyone at the game -- how did the D and O
>> lines look? Will the freshmen and sophmores make a
>> difference, or will this be a long year?
>>
>> Let's get it started! It's football season.
>>
>> J.R.
>> _______________________________________________
>> nwu-sports site list
>> nwu-sports at tssi.com
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>>
>
>
> * * * * * * * * *
> STEPHEN J. TRUOG
> sjtruog at yahoo.com
> GO CATS!!!
>
>
> 		
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