[NU Sports] Was anyone else thinking . . .

[Jonathan Hodges]

About the timing at the end, there wasn't much that NU could do.  The 'Cats
were down and needed a score to win, and the optimal way to do that is
getting into the end zone.  Plus, the TD ensured that Purdue couldn't just
go down the field and kick the FG (they did drive down the field well on
their last 2 drives).

I kind of agree on the 2-point conversion as I was also thinking: well,
don't let them return it for 2 if it's turned over.  But the 5 yard penalty
forced them into a definite passing situation.  And since there's no
difference between a 4 and 5 point lead, NU may as well have gone for 2
since a 6 point lead would make Purdue sweat on a potential XP try for the
win (thankfully it didn't come to that).

In the end it was a good, hard-fought game for all 60 mins - which NU lacked
the past 2 weeks.  I know NU got lucky at times and left points on the
field, but they did what it took to win.  Hopefully this W will help inspire
the 'Cats in the second half of the season - the D looked much better
(especially against the run) and the offense protected the football all game
after a fumble on the first play from scrimmage.

Also, I don't know if I've ever seen a team turn the ball over on 3 out of 4
plays like Purdue did in the 2nd quarter (and it was very close to being 4
of 5).

Go 'Cats!
Jonathan

On Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 3:43 PM, Jim Bendat <thehaze at earthlink.net> wrote:

> that maybe we scored too quickly, thereby giving Purdue a chance to pull
> out the game at the end. I know it's hard to control, but the fact is that
> we all we needed was a field goal. We could have run down the clock a lot
> more. Don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled about the win. But here's another
> thought:
>
> After we scored the TD, we went for (and made) a 2-point conversion. I
> didn't like the call of a pass play on that conversion. If the pass had been
> intercepted and returned all the way back, then we would have only led,
> 25-23 -- which would have meant Purdue would have only needed a field goal
> to win the game at the end.
>
> Just a few things that went through my mind during this crazy game!
>
> Jim B.
>
> _______________________________________________
> nwu-sports site list
> nwu-sports at tssi.com
> http://romaine.tssi.com/mailman/listinfo/nwu-sports
>