[NU Sports] Random Indiana Game Musings

[Tom Maycock]

Busy weekend, some belated thoughts:

As Indiana was lining up to snap the ball from their own 1 yard line, I just about wet myself when I realized that we had a #47 lined up at CB in place of the familiar #24. I could practically see the game-clinching 99-yard TD pass happening before my eyes as I went diving under my bleacher seat for the roster printout. 

Of course, as we now know, Mr. Weina was a key to the victory. Sure, the blocked punt was huge (watching the game tape, he almost had one earlier in the game as well), but the real key was his solid defensive play through that second half. Welcome to the annals of Wildcat history Mr. Weina. I surely hope McManis is back at full speed next week, but I'm positive we'll be seeing more of #47 in the weeks and years to come. 

And how about Concannon? Having been semi-impressed with him in spring and fall scrimmages, I've been kind of intrigued to see what he could do when it really mattered, and it turns out, he can do quite a lot. 

Granted, he had more room to run that Arby did, but he also made a lot more out of the holes that were there. I still have high hopes and expectations for Arby, but right now, Concannon seems much more adept and finding room and finishing runs. He also had a key blitz pickup on the TD bomb to Brewer. 

The second coming of Tyrell Sutton? Nope. But someone who might play a role in more victories down the road? Absolutely. 

Finally, please, please, please: no more rugby style punts. Ever. And that's not just hindsight--I was going ballastic when I saw Demos going rugby-style the second time out, even before he line-drived the thing into a long return. 

Sure, the rugby thing can work, and has for us at times, but Demos' percentage on those things is just too low. For every long, unreturnable roller, her shanks a couple out of bounds or line-drivers one straight to the returner. Demos does just fine regular" style punting, and has enough on his plate practicing that in addition to FG and KO duties. So, ditch the rugby thing forever. 

Looking ahead, can we beat Penn State? I think it's possible. We probably need some injured bodies back. I do think the D will be stout enough to keep things close, but the offense is going to have to be a lot sharper throughout. I'll go ahead and drink my Kool Aid and believe it can happen. 

In the meantime, props to the Cats for showing a ton of heart and desire, if not always perfect execution.

Tom