[NU Sports] bowl frustrations

Sun Jan 1 16:03:41 CST 2012

BTW I forget to mention that I asked Morty about the NU players wearing the patch on their uniform  and he said that's just the way we do things. Gotta be proud when the leader of your alma mater has that attitude
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-----Original Message-----
From: hakirsch at aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 21:32:06 
To: Beamsley, Jeff<Jeff.Beamsley at covisint.com>; <nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com>; Brad Wilson<bwdolphin146 at yahoo.com>; <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Reply-To: hakirsch at aol.com
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] bowl frustrations

When Morty said to me that Stanford lowered their standards, I didn't ask in what way.  Assuming its true I wonder if it was a wholesale lowering of the minimum numbers on GPA/SAT or was it allowing a more flexible response from the admissions committee if a candidate was a strong blue chipper. (I.e. For a real blue chipper we might be able to bend a bit ). I would oppose the former but not sure where I come out on the latter

One thing I would not compromise on is paying huge bucks for a coach, because I think it sends the wrong message about the university's priorities. 

As to being one stupid mistake away by a player from disaster, let's not delude ourselves in thinking our kids never go there. We had one kid a few years ago (a future fringe pro) get drunk and could have been charged with breaking and entering. Another was stopped for DUI and maybe disorderly conduct who had very wealthy parents use their money to get access to top attorneys getting him off lightly. Obviously the risks are lower when you have serious students and I never want NU to admit a kid they don't think has the ability to graduate (even if 5 tutors and a year round schedule are needed)

In sum I echo Willie's comments about being proud of our record while holding up our standards and graduation rates. Willie and I went during similar years so the bar was somewhat lowered.  Having said that I am a bit frustrated at our bowl record while the system has watered down the standards of getting chosen for a bowl and hope we can find a legitimate way to break the hex. It's tough losing our last game every year 

Harry
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-----Original Message-----
From: "Beamsley, Jeff" <Jeff.Beamsley at covisint.com>
Sender: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 15:59:06 
To: Brad Wilson<bwdolphin146 at yahoo.com>; <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] bowl frustrations

It will be interesting to see how the reported changes in Stanford admissions standards affects the off-field performance of the players.  It can become slippery slope when institutions begin to compromise their values in return for the promise of better on field performance.

I agree that it is maddening to watch NU come so close. 

As Mike mentioned, NU isn't the only program to go through this.  Nebraska made a habit of grinding their opponents to dust during the regular season.  Their reward was to travel to some holiday location only to look slow and stupid against some wicked-fast warm-weather team.  They slowly transformed into a speed program, got more creative play calling (fumblerooskie), and eventually learned how to win in the post season.

The only solution that I can think of is that we continue to believe in the program and make progress every year.

Injuries clearly hurt us this year with Persa being the first and most important.  Losing Mabin, however, probably cost us this bowl win.  Without him, our secondary was quickly exposed and just couldn't hold up in one-on-one matchups.  That made it harder for us to blitz, and our front four just couldn't consistently get to the QB on their own.

On the flip side, we became a pretty predictable offense, particularly after we got down a couple of scores.  Persa was going to pass and Colter was going to run.  They were able to take away our bread and butter throws to the outside for short yardage and the blitz kept us from making any longer throws.  I agree with others that the two QB scheme didn't help us much, but I suspect that Persa was more gimpy than perhaps anyone was willing to admit.  I also agree that both the offense and defense lost their poise at various points in the game and just seemed overwhelmed by A&M speed.

I think that next year NU will raise some Kain, make a run at the BT title, and win our first bowl game.

Jeff

________________________________

From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com on behalf of Brad Wilson
Sent: Sun 1/1/2012 1:55 PM
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Subject: [NU Sports] bowl frustrations

I concur with those who say it is delightful to enjoy a competitive team, one that never quits. As I said to my disconsolate NU-watching buddy during the game Saturday, "At least we're never boring., Never dull watching NU." Having watched my share of massacres in the 1980's, the idea of four straight bowl games is remarkable in itself.

I do not concur with those who say NU needs to lower its standards for 4-star recruits. Either they make it or they don't and that is an admission-office decision, period. And that is as it should be. Stanford has lower standards for studs? Shame on Stanford.

However, four elements of frustration for me.

One, NU is SOOOOO close. Look, lose 54-14 to Texas A&M and well, fine, they were a lot better. But NU was ONE stop or ONE big play from winning. And that has been the case the last 4 bowls though of course the two OT losses were sheer agony.  ONE play away from ending the bowl streak .... AUGH. I would almost say I'd rather lose 66-17 or so but I was at that debacle and actually, no, I wouldn't. But so close ... aren't we due for a break from the sporting gods?

Two,  watching the Sun Bowl, or the Pinstripe Bowl, I know NU could have -- probably would have -- beaten UCLA and Iowa State. NU needs a matchup like that. I appreciate what Delany and Phillips do to move "up" the bowl ladder, but maybe NU's best hope to win would come in a year where the BT gets just one BCS spot to even out the bowl matchups a little. I do believe the bowl streak hurts recruiting and the impression of NU as a competitive program.

Three, why does NU dig holes in every bowl? Why do the 'Cats fall behind badly at the start and have to scramble back? How can they not be ready to play in a bowl game?

Four, the constant drumbeat of allowing 3rd down conversions hurts my head. The defense on 3rd downs needs to either a) get a pass rush on or b) cover the receivers tightly. NU does neither. This is a recipe for disaster. I'd trade getting beaten deep once or twice (which happens anyway) for some sacks and hurries that could create turnovers.

Brad Wilson

"Stupidity is infinitely more fascinating than intelligence. Intelligence has its limits while stupidity has none. To observe a profoundly stupid individual can be very enriching, and that's why we should never feel contempt for them." -- Claude Chabrol (1930-2010)

"But to provoke -- in the good sense -- is the performer's role. It's not just to give one more concert. That's not culture. That"s marketing." -- Pierre Boulez

"Quis ipsos custodes custodiet?" -- Juvenal
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