[NU Sports] just to be clear

[Abrahamson, Alan]

 For the record: I am not endorsing nor do I condone a school of thought that maintains the Wildcats need so-called "thugs" or "gangstas" to play cornerback. Or any position. Northwestern can, and must, recruit the highest-caliber student-athlete and expect the highest quality of play and academic achievement. The 1995 team proved conclusively this can be done. 
 My question is: why can't Northwestern do it consistently?
 Moving on:
 SJT: As always, enjoy your thoughtful posts. I agree with you completely that the Cats should have brought the hammer down offensively in the first half, and that settling for field goals was -- as it always is -- ominous. But I disagree with you wholeheartedly about your contention that the Cats were getting sufficient pressure up front against the Nittany Lions. Check the stats: one sack for three yards.
 I acknowledge your take that the Penn State QB was too elusive to be sacked. OK. Arizona State: No sacks. NIU: No sacks. Ohio: Two sacks, 11 yards. To me, those numbers illuminate the broader issue -- little or no up-front pressure and, as we are all aware, secondary breakdowns.
 Here's the really scary thing about the Northwestern defense. Check out these numbers:
                                   PSU      NU
  Possession Time...............   20:01   39:59
  1st Quarter.................     3:11    11:49
  2nd Quarter.................     6:19     8:41
  3rd Quarter.................     6:26     8:34
  4th Quarter.................     4:05    10:55

 Wild. Penn State had the ball for all of four minutes in the fourth quarter -- and scored 17 points.
 It's so obvious that Northwestern is beatable through the air, especially with deep balls, or catch-and-run plays that turn into long gainers. 
 It's also obvious that the Northwestern spread offense can, and does, produce points. 29 ought to be enough to win most ballgames. 
 Defense -- the Northwestern Wildcats need defense. Year after year, the Northwestern Wildcats need defense. And year after year, that defensive consistency is lacking. 
 Again, I will maintain hope for purple victories. But, ladies and gentlemen ... reality bites.
 Cordially, Alan