[NU Sports] Fitz's biggest win

[neonrye at aol.com]

Jim,

Having finally met you at the BC game (another happy time this up-and-down season), I agree with everything you said--almost.  I see no reason--unless Persa is out for the season--why we can't finish 7-5.  Granted, it will be tough to run the table at home, given that (a) Minny is playing better and (b) Sparty will be awfully tough, but our team is finally playing as a team for 60 minutes.  When they do that, they are competitive and can "expect victory".  

I looked at Purdue's remaining schedule, since they are clearly our chief rivals for the coveted invite to the "Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl" (wouldn't it be cooler to have the "Herman Cain Godfather's Pizza Bowl" instead?), which, apparently is the only bowl we can probably make.  The Boilers play at home the next two weeks against tOSU and Iowa.  Hopefully, they lose both of those, and then they finish at Bloomington, where the Hoosiers would love nothing better than to knock them out entirely.  They are 4-5, like the 'Cats, so whoever plays better down the stretch will get the bowl bid.

I know that Detroit ain't a great achievement, but it sure beats going nowhere.  We have to start by crisping Rice, follow with a win over the Gophers, and then, with all of that momentum (i.e., 4-game winning streak), take it to the Spartans and get some nice revenge for our recent tank jobs against them.  It won't be easy, but its doable, and I think our guys are now hungry, committed and ready to take on the challenge.  And Coach Hank and Fitz have finallly settled upon a lineup and scheme that affords our defensive unit the ability to keep us in games, which is all we need with our high-octane offense.  Yesterday was the first time in a long time when I didn't audibly groan every time the defense took the field.  We also need Budzien to kick some clutch FG's in the next few weeks, since, as the weather turns colder and affects the scoring more, we will need those 3-pointers to come out on top, especially against Sparty, which has a great kicker.

So let's go 'Cats.  As Fitz says, make it a "November to remember".  And Dennis Brandt, try to look at the glass here as half-full  When Colter hit Ebert on that 81-yard TD, those were two athletes who can compete at any level, and what's great is that they are our guys and know their way around a classroom and the Library, too.  To these somewhat unsophisticated eyes, Fitz is clearly recruiting faster, stronger, fitter players than we ever saw wear the Purple and White--think Venric Mark, too.  What's more we actually pounded Nebraska in the trenches--when in this lifetime did any of us ever think we would see that?

Paul Levinson



-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Leonard <jleonard518 at yahoo.com>
To: Northwestern Wildcats <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Sent: Sun, Nov 6, 2011 10:05 am
Subject: [NU Sports] Fitz's biggest win


Fellow Wildcat Faithful,
Yesterday was a HUGE day for our young coach. I am really proud of Fitz. It 
ould have been easy for the team to mail it in and take the expected pounding 
n Lincoln yesterday. Fitz managed to keep everyone focused (including his 
taff). This win is a much bigger than beating Iowa in 2009. Nebraska's home 
ield advantage is legendary and our team had yet to play a full 60 minutes of 
ootball. 
I am now optimistic that we can hit 6-6. Whether or not that means a bowl, it 
ould be a huge finish after the 5-game losing streak. 
Fitz needs to keep everyone focused this week to avoid a letdown. Cats eat Rice!
Victory & Honor,
im
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