[NU Sports] Beat Michigan State?

[Roy S. Lamberton]

My observation on NU is this: We have played to our opponent's level all the way back to
Randy Walker and the early Spread efforts.

We also forget that Minny has a gigantic O-Line AND a 4 year QB who is running a play
action offense behind those big guys. We did a decent job against their star WR, but
sacrificed the run coverage . They still didn't totally break - our D stopped the rodents
when it counted, with a minute left in the 4th quarter.

Play action is just as hard to stop as a good Spread offense. Minny flirted with the
Spread and came back to a pro-style set that we haven't seen much lately. 

What I still miss is the zone block play with the handoff over the guard. We obviously
don't have anyone who can hit those holes right, but Persa seems to be able to make
something out of coverage situations, so I suspect we'll see more Persa Spy position
safety's with teams ignoring our Dan at their peril. That will always open up the field
for a back coming off pass blocking, something I saw our guys doing a lot yesterday.

You also can't discount the buildup to the game due to Homecoming. NU has played in many
homecoming games over the years because in the past we were an easy Homecoming win. Now
they get a game from us and I think our games are just games and not "show off for the
alums" events.

We get a weakened Perdoo for Homecoming. Should be a good game, as we play to their level.

rsl


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Roy S. Lamberton - Senior Associate & Unix Guru.
Computer Applications & Support Associates
-------------------- Also ----------------------
"Commissioner" Delaware American Legion Baseball
Director Media Relations - Little League 
  Senior League Softball World Series
Retired Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician [R]
Northwestern University - Speech 1974 - 
Chi Phi: Pi 1974, KD 1968
Publisher Emeritus: Purple Reign (Fox Sports)
==========  Go Cats -  Beat 'em All  ===========

"...Then I get on my knees and pray,
WE DON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN!" -- Pete Townsend

Don't re-elect nobody, not even yo mama! - Franc White

================================================

-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf Of Brad
Wilson
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2010 1:31 AM
To: Alan Abrahamson
Cc: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Beat Michigan State?

Alan, your faith warms my heart and the fan in me says right on!

The sportswriter in me looks at MSU's offensive talent, NU's inability to
contain Minnesota's much less talented offense, the penalty problem which is
showing signs of being chronic, the damned missed PATs and says ... well, I
won't repeat what it says.

I think NU has the potential to be a good team and surely has many parts
that are good now (Persa, Ebert, DiNardo, Davie, etc) but good, right now? I
would hesitate. On the other hand, 10-3 on the road, 27-7 in close games ...
faith perhaps? I hesitate.

However, Alan, I will trust in your faith!

Pound Perdoo! Sink Sparty!

Brad Wilson