[NU Sports] Evening report ...

[neonrye at aol.com]

Stephen,

Certainly agree with you on the Spartans-Hawkeyes game.  Incredible last few minutes.   I know that Iowa is one of our big rivals, but I know that Ferentz, the team and staff are very good people, having taken my partner and his family under their wings a few years ago when my partner's son needed a very serious brain operation in Iowa City, and then had to spend 6 months there with his mom recuperating.  So I was very happy at the last second TD, especially since it helps the BT keep the 2 BCS invitation scenario more likely.

However, while I don't think we should go overboard about the significance of today's comeback win, I believe we have a realistic shot to finish at 7-5, although 5-7 is certainly a strong possibility as well.  If, and it's a big if, we can get our injured warriors on "D" back for at least the Illini game and then Wisky, even if we lose the next 2 weeks, we can still finish out with a road win and a home win.  The Zookers are reeling and don't have a QB at this point, while we have always played the Badgers tough.  We need to at least make a decent showing against Joe Pa next Sat. with a national ESPN audience (I just looked and the Mich-Illinois match-up, an awful game, is actually on ABC Regional.  What a joke!

If we can continue to run the ball a little (and I am not particularly optimistic that we can), then maybe we can hang in against PSU.  We can't throw every down, as eventually Kafka will throw some picks, which against the Lions will be more devastating than what happened against Indy.

Finally, totally agree with your earlier post.  The misdirection running play (or whatever you call it) that brought us down close to the goal line at the end of the game was one of best calls McCall has ever made.  It totally faked me (and everyone else) out.  However, the double reverse with Markshausen was idiotic.  He is not a speed burner, and that's what is needed on that kind of play.  Instead of playing to his strengths (great hands, great routes, great concentration), it was a play calling for the kind of pure athleticism that he doesn't have.  I don't mean to be critical, by the way, of the player.  He is a noble 'Cat--tough, clutch, focused--even without great speed.  And kudos to Brewer--his TD catch and YAC, breaking the tackle, was thrilling.

We all can be proud of the Purple and White today--greatest comeback ever (25 points down)--no quit--clutch at the end--Fitz has his "young men"back on track, after some very shaky moments.  Today was the "Yin" to the "Yang" of the flop vs. MSU a couple of years ago.  

Paul Levinson


-----Original Message-----
From: SjT (Stephen J. Truog) <sjtruog at yahoo.com>
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Sat, Oct 24, 2009 10:43 pm
Subject: [NU Sports] Evening report ...



Wow - what a fantastic game in East Lansing.
One of the nameless Big Ten Network guys mentioned today how Iowa '09 reminded 
im of Ohio State '02, and I gotta tell you, when Stanzi threw that sideline 
oute with four minutes left in a 6-6 game to get first and goal, I had shades 
f Krenzel throwing that 4th down sideline route at Purdue in the 3-6 game. Of 
ourse, OSU's went for six, while Iowa could only get a field goal - but Stanzi 
nd company came through BIG time at the end. Big win for the Bumblebees.
A huge win for Penn State as well - Michigan has owned JoePa, especially at the 
ig House and yet the Nits dominated the afternoon game in every phase with an 
mproving offense.
Our next two opponents are 15-1, should be in the top 10 if the pollsters have 
ny brains and are looking more and more like BCS teams. We needed that win 
gainst Indiana today!:)
So what does this do to the bowl picture? To the latest crystal ball ...
* On the B(C)S double-dipping, it's looking better and better each day now. The 
ig XII is a one-bid league unless Texas loses the title game. The ACC and Big 
ast are one-bid leagues every year. The only two Pac 10 teams capable of 
etting bids play each other next week. The only darkhorse could be those pesky 
rish. The pollsters bought Charlie's whining and kept them on the cusp of the 
op 25 despite having the same record AND LOSING TO Michigan, who was ranked 5-7 
pots below them. With another "miracle" win today, the Irish could finish 10-2 
nd be an attractive spot to fill seats amid the crappy offerings the B(C)S is 
romising this year. Blech.
The latest guess ...
TITLE GAME: Florida vs. Texas - Until I see Bama look good on offense and 
efense in a game, the Gators are a lock ... and Texas just has to win out to 
et payback from being robbed last year.
ROSE BOWL: USC vs. Iowa - With 3 of the final 4 at home, the Hawks only have the 
SU road trip left ... and that could be moot in terms of Pasadena if the Bucks 
ose in Happy Valley the prior week. Iowa's foe will be determined next week in 
ugene.
ORANGE BOWL: Penn State vs. Virginia Tech - That weeping you heard earlier was 
range Bowl folks' crying over Miami's loss to Clemson - now it's back to the 
okies ... again ... and no hometown team. So they bring in 11-1 PSU to fill 
eats in a game that SHOULD be a September east-coast rivalry game every year.
SUGAR BOWL: Alabama vs. Cincinnati - Yawn. Bama better not get creamed by a 
id-major again or the Sugar folk will invite LSU instead. As for Cincy, write 
em in now despite all the hype about the new powers in the Big Least -- WV lost 
o Auburn, Pitt to NC State. Quit trying to make another league sound better 
han the Big Ten now that the Big XII's overratedness has been exposed, ABC!
FIESTA BOWL: Boise State vs. Notre Dame - It's looking more and more like the 
rish will take that last spot, unless TCU makes a run or Oregon keeps it close 
ext week.
CITRUS BOWL: Ohio State vs. LSU - Great defenses, weak offenses.
OUTBACK BOWL: Wisconsin vs. Tennessee - Two annoying young coaches.
CHAMPS BOWL: Michigan vs. Clemson - Party like it's the early 80s!
ALAMO BOWL: Minnesota vs. Nebraska - The Huskers are fading fast but still fill 
eats, and the MSU @ Minny game next week will decide the Big Ten team.
INSIGHT BOWL: Michigan State vs. Kansas - Again, if we can make this a 
ootball/hoops doubleheader THEN you'd sell some tickets!
MOTOR CITY BOWL: Northwestern vs. Central Michigan - Beat the Illini to get to 
ix and the reward is Detroit and a hot QB. Ouch.
Hard to see anyone else in the league getting to six. Indiana has a shot if they 
an beat Wisky at home (otherwise they have to win at Iowa City or Happy 
alley).
Big win today and a great game to cap off the evening. Things certainly step up 
he next two weeks, but for now at least, the clock tower is purple!:)
GO CATS!!!
SjT
* * * * * * * * *
TEPHEN J. TRUOG
jtruog at yahoo.com
O CATS!!!

     
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