[NU Sports] As positive as I can be...

[Tom Maycock]

> 1) We are 1 game ahead of last years pace
> 2) We controlled a much better '10  MSU team more so than their '09 team.
> 3) Position-by-position we are as good  as '09.  Defensive secondary would be 
>the only possible rebuttal, but with  Brendan, Sherrick, and Brad injured most 
>of last year this years team holds up  comparably.
> 4) We don't play tOSU for 3 years.
> 
> The only thing that  really worries me is Zak/Baz had a killer instinct.  Give 
>them the last  possesion and less than 1 score deficit and W was in sight.  
>Persa  definitely has a will to win as seen by his running and general drive, 
>but his  endgame is not quite there.
> 
> Indiana is a must win, but for me the key is  PSU.  To play in his home state 
>in front of 100K pennsylvanians will  determine whether he will make the 
>transition to a "special" quarterback.   If he can do that we will have momentum 
>in our last 3 games and next year will  be eagerly  anticipated.


My thoughts exactly. 

If we're missing one key piece, it's probably McManis. Not because our CBs have 
been inadequate. They've been reasonably good, although it looks like Vaughn 
ended up in Fitz's doghouse yesterday. But because McManis was usually good for 
one incredible, game-changing, play every game or two. We could have used one of 
those yesterday. 

Also, looking ahead to future years, guys like Lawrence, Mark, Jones, and Smith 
have all shown flashes of brilliance. Sometimes more than just 
flashes--Lawrence's two deep catches at Ryan field this year have been as good 
as anything I've seen from an NU receiver. 

Two more things about yesterday's game that may not have been obvious if you 
were watching on TV (haven't watched the replay yet):

First, Demos delivered one of the gutsiest performances you'll ever see. After 
hurting himself making the tackle on that kickoff return, he could barely walk 
at times. You could tell every kick hurt a LOT. Yet his post-injury kicks were 
all solid. I'm not sure it was smart, but it was impressive as hell. I hope 
he'll be OK for the rest of the year. 

Second, the wind was a huge factor after halftime. I heard Sam Valenzisi 
describe it as a "3 or 4 club" wind on the WGN broadcast, and it was steaming 
straight up the field out of the south. It had a big impact on the kicking and 
punting games for both teams in the 3rd and 4th quarters, and I really do wonder 
if it didn't hurt Persa quite a bit on the 4th.

Tom