[NU Sports] Cardiac Cats!!!!!

[Jonathan Hodges]

NU has obviously transitioned to a pass-first type of offensive scheme (not
quite at the level of Texas Tech/Hawaii, but definitely more than NU fans
are used to).  I am not sure if this is because of Sutton's injury or
because that is what the OL looks to be better suited for.  In any case,
Northwestern is doing a pretty good job in the ball control department, here
is the stat that tells the story:

Time of Possession: Northwestern #9 nationally, 32:27/game

I would say that is pretty good ball control.  The obvious deficiency is
that if the offense is not in sync and we see some incompletions or sacks
(which the OL has done a good job of stopping the last 2 weeks), then the
drive is up in smoke quickly.  BUT, NU has done a good job with mixing up
the pass/run, so credit McGee with finally putting together a more balanced
game plan that has seen NU score 40+ points in back-to-back games for the
first time since 2000.

The most disheartening part is the defense, which is a big liability and has
been discussed at length.  There's no pass rush, and we saw the past 2 games
that they can't stop the rush when the opposition spreads the field.  I hope
some kind of change is in store.

Jonathan

On 10/14/07, Kenneth Maresco <kmaresco at covlife.org> wrote:
>
> Looking at how Michigan State handled Indiana, one would think, would give
> us hope for our remaining games. But the way Michigan State stopped
> Indiana
> was not through their defense, but the old fashioned way, by keeping the O
> off the field. With their ball control, they had possession for close to
> 41
> minutes.
>
> Without Sutton, I am not confident we can control the game the way we need
> to, to win more easily against the weaker teams. Our D makes even weak
> offenses look like teams of all Americans!
>
> Don't get me wrong, I love CJ's passing and without a doubt he has kept us
> in these last two games. But I think we must get a D and/or a running game
> to win more easily, or consistently. I believe we have a shot at every
> game
> moving forward, and I also believe we can lose every game moving forward.
> The D is going to cost us some close games eventually...Pat, please do
> something!
>
> Kenneth
>
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-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
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