[NU Sports] If you are in need of a pick-me-up...

[Jonathan Hodges]

Last week against New Hampshire we tried to go out there and pound the
ball down the middle in the second quarter - and it didn't really
work.  We came out with a TE/FB set and they knew exactly what was
coming, so they loaded the box with 8+ defenders and stopped our
offense, even though they were "undersized."  The only time the NU
offense was moving the ball effectively was with the spread early in
the game when we scored twice to go up 14-13.  I think that the most
successful attack is from the spread - obviously NU needs to run the
ball to control the game, but a strong passing game is needed to give
the offense more than one dimension.  If UNH can stop our running
game, I don't want to think about Big Ten play.

I would expect more from the defense, especially after a great showing
in week 1.  They need to be more aggressive (UNH's QB Santos had all
day in the pocket to pick apart the secondary) and they need to get
turnovers - NU has had no takeaways this season.  The turnovers in the
UNH game cost us - 2 fumbles deep in NU territory basically gave UNH 2
TDs, and Kafka's INT was deep into UNH territory.

Interesting note: NU only has 5 penalties for 42 yards on the season -
and none from the UNH game (a pass interference call was declined
since Ball caught the pass for the TD anyway).  Maybe the team is more
disciplined?  Walker's teams always seemed to get a ton of penalties -
at least 5-10 per game for usually almost 100 yards per game.

Jonathan


On 9/13/06, Trey McAdams <tmcadams at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I am very disappointed with our performance last
> Saturday.  Specifically, with the coaches.  I think
> that the OC and Fitz may have out thought themselves
> in that game.  We were bigger and stronger than that
> team and we got way too cute with the offense.  We had
> success most of the day running between the tackles
> and seem to continue to run outside.  I truly believe
> that we would have worn them down over the course of
> the day just running straight ahead.  Obviously, our
> players made some mistakes but the game plan did not
> seem to give us a chance to win.
>
> Since we haven't played D in about 8 years, I have
> very low expectations for the defensive side of the
> ball.  Until I see something different, I expect us to
> give up 28-35 a game.  So in that aspect, we pretty
> much met expectations.  I almost sense teams want to
> get into 3rd and long with our D on the field.
>
> You have to give UNH credit for taking advantage of
> the opportunities they were given and their excellent
> offensive execution.
>
> Any way, if you need a pick-me-up to remember a time
> when we had a huge road win...(may have been posted
> before, but frankly this never gets old)
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hUtEN8tu3g
>
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-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
829 Foster St Apt 401
Evanston, IL  60201-3259
(847) 736-2449
jonathanwhodges at gmail.com
http://jhodges.org