[NU Sports] Indisputable? NOT

[Michael Vance]

SjT (Stephen J. Truog) wrote:
> I think he probably did not fumble.
>
> However, I was surprised they gave him the first down
> - looked like 4th and 1 if you count where the ball
> was at when his foot stepped out.
>   
I agree on both counts, although I'm still not sure the evidence against 
the fumble was "indisputable."  But the first down call really surprised 
me.  I thought that the replay that was straight in from the sides (up 
in the booth?  It was a pretty high angle) clearly showed that he pulled 
the ball in to tuck it a little too soon to get the first down.  And 
then after talking about it while waiting for the replay verdict, the 
broadcasting team let it slide.  They never mentioned the fact that they 
all thought it should have been fourth and one.

I also agree with Dennis that the last interception was Lane's fault, 
not Kafka's.  But the offensive and special teams miscues were many, too 
many to give much to the silver lining of the running game finally 
getting back on track.  All in all, I was satisfied with the defense, 
although I'm still afraid that they're not up to snuff for the 
conference season.  I still think that three of our home games are 
winnable (Purdue, MSU, and Illinois), although one of those is dependent 
on my wife's beloved Spartans doing their usual mid-season swoon.  But 
it won't be enough to go bowling again.

-Michael