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Northwestern's
2007 Big Ten opener was, unfortunately, a showcase for a very powerful
Ohio State team and a reminder that-- as Coach Fitzgerald put it after
the game-- "obviously we have a long way to go." The 'Cats came
out flat and got flattened, losing 58 to 7 in the 500th game played at
Ohio Stadium.
The score, of course, was a little misleading: as expected Coach
Tressel began freely substituting his starters early in the game
(perhaps less expected was just how early the subs would begin.
Parts of the Buckeye starting offensive line began disappearing late in
the first quarter), and Ohio State jumped to a 28 to 0 lead in the
first quarter, needing only 11 plays to do so. The Bucks amassed
a 45 to 0 lead at the
half. They coasted from there, opting not to score at all
in the fourth quarter. With a return trip to Ryan Field "looming"
on their schedule in 2008, perhaps the Buckeyes decided not to give the
'Cats too much motivation for next year's game.
NU unveiled several new offensive formations, at times even resembling
Nevada's "pistol" offense. Sadly, it wasn't the Wildcat offense's
day. C.J. Bachér,
commenting after the game, said, "We were running the same stuff we've
been running with a few twists, and they were ready for it."
Tyrell Sutton remained sidelined with the ankle injury he
sustained playing Nevada, the offensive line was overmatched against
the NFL-level power facing them on the other side, and backfield
miscommunication reigned again. The 'Cats gained 61 yards on the
ground, the exact same amount they also lost
on the ground, for a net rushing total of zero. Bachér did
manager 120 yards through the air, but he was
harassed all day, and was dropped for five sacks. Northwestern's
offense did not manage to breach Ohio State's red zone at any point in
the game.
For the Wildcat defense, Ohio Stadium was a house of horror. Ohio
State only tallied 396 yards, but when the team is scoring at will and
averaging six and a half yards per play (!), the total offense is
irrelevant. The defensive line, linebackers and secondary were
simply overmatched, and NU had no answers for the power OSU was
displaying. Adam Kadela, however, did notch 13 tackles, a career
best.
For the 'Cats, one bright spot came on the kickoff to open the
second half. Stephen Simmons, handling his first kickoff return,
sprinted 99 yards, slipped past several Buckeye tackles, and
scored. The 99 yard return was second only to Jason Wright's
thrilling 100-yarder against TCU in 2002.
One of those days. AP Photo
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