Two weeks ago Northwestern hosted Nebraska at Ryan Field for
Homecoming. For a half it was the best of times; for the second
half it was the worst of times. The game started well as the
Homecoming crowd filtered into the stadium. NU stopped Nebraska
on its first drive and then using a mixture of Justin Jackson runs and 3rd down
passes to Dan Vitale, scored on its opening possession. NU seemed
poised to go up by 14 as they were driving early in the 1st quarter
but Siemian threw into TRIPLE converge and had his pass intercepted in
the end zone. Nebraska tied it at 7 and then several punts were
traded. NU had another nice drive propelled by three 10 yard plus
runs by Jackson. With a nifty little spin move Jackson took it
into the end zone from 5 yards out. It only took Nebraska 38
seconds to score as they had a long pass play and very well executed
throw back to the QB. NU took over with 1:14 on the clock and
marched the ball to the Nebraska 13 yard line. The Cornhuskers
called timeout as NU had 1st and
10 with 26 seconds left. As we watched I remarked to my son, “if
we scored a touchdown we will win, if we score a FG we might win, and
if we don’t score at all we will lose.” He looked at me puzzled
and asked, “isn’t it only halftime?” I knew that NU needed these
seven points. Too often NU settles for FGs when the game is close
instead attacking and trying to win. On first and second down
Siemian’s passes were not perfect but they hit the receivers in the
hands, in the end zone. Neither receiver could make the
play. NU settled for the FG.
The game was exciting, the crowd was at least 50% NU, and I had a good
feeling. Was it too much to ask for “more, please?” Except
for the one quick drive, NU’s defense was playing well and that
continued into the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately NU’s offense was not. Two NU 3 and outs (on a 3rd and one and a 3rd and
two) and Nebraska was up 21-17. NU’s defense was still holding
but with the lack of offense and Nebraska continuing to get the ball
around midfield it was only a matter of time. The “bend but don’t
break” broke in the fourth quarter as Nebraska scored two more
touchdowns and a FG. Now that was NU was down by more than one
score they abandoned the run completely and the flood gates were
opened. In the first half, Siemian had time to complete his
passes. Now that the ‘Huskers were not worrying about Jackson
running the ball they attacked Siemian like an orphan attacking an
extra bowl of porridge (too much?). The NU line could not stop
them and they pummeled Siemian who was hobbling around like Tiny Tim
without the crutch. In the 4th quarter
Siemian attempted 12 passes. He completed one of them. NU
ran the ball one time. I wanted to leave early but my classmates
wanted to stay. It was terrible watching Siemian get
pounded.
The loss in front of a sold out crowd was a very disappointing end to
an otherwise great Homecoming weekend. I saw many faces I had not
seen in 20 years and was pleasantly surprised to see most holding up
well to the test of time. The loss and the thought that I may
never see most of these people again left me in a melancholy mood. As I
drove home, I tried to think that “The pain
of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again" but my kids were
fighting in the back seat and I just kept thinking “we should have won
that damn game.”
Some other notes from the game:
- I
can see why many keep expecting Kyle Prater to dominate. He is
significantly larger than anyone else on the playing field and
especially the other receivers and defensive backs. He looks like
a man among boys as he lines up for the play. Unfortunately as
soon as the play starts he disappears. He does not break tackles
and extend plays. He does get stupid holding penalties and drops
routine passes.
- To
see where the ball is going to go all you have to do is watch Siemian’s
head. He does not look off the defense and solely focuses on the
one receiver he is going to throw to.
- NU
does not seem to have multiple options in their pass game. In a
3, 4, or 5 receiver sets, all but one are used to clear out space for
the primary receiver. If that primary receiver is covered Siemian
is lost and usually is sacked.
- Justin Jackson had 100 yards at half time. He was 6 for 26 in the 3rd quarter. He was 1 for 3 yards in the 4th. Why was he not used more in the second half? If Nebraska adjusted, where is our adjustment?
- Fitz
said afterward that Siemian was “nowhere near 100% healthy”. That
was evident from the way he could barely hobble to and from the
sidelines in the 4th quarter. The question is WHY was he in there for those last 3 series to abused by
Miss Havisham Nebraska?
Why wouldn’t NU lean more on the run to take the pressure off
him? Is Fitz as enamored with Siemian as much as Pip is with
Estella?
- After the first drive, Vitale was not thrown to again and did not play the second half due to injury.
- The
quick slant and the throws over the middle are completely missing from
NU’s game. This might be good considering how Siemian is
telegraphing where the ball is going but it basically limits us to 5
yard quick outs. That is a hard way to drive 80 yards.
This week the Wildcats head to Iowa to face the Hawkeyes. As
always the year started with Great Expectations for both clubs as
dreams of a B1G West crown seemed realistic. Reality has set in
as both teams are “fair to midlin.” Both teams have a
good defense that has been Scrooge-like in victories and a Marley-like
(dead) offense. This game has been described as a slugfest or a
grind it out kind of game. These are polite ways of saying the
game will be slow, ugly, and boring. NU’s opponents have figured
out that to stop NU it is as simple as putting man to man coverage on
the outside and stacking the box against the run. The numbers in
the box will discourage running plays and our receivers cannot get the
separation to make teams pay for playing man to man. Since NU has
a rotation of 8 or so wide receivers I do not know why they don’t send
someone deep on every play. If nothing else it should tire out
the DB’s who are out there the entire game.
With the two teams so evenly matched and lacking difference makers,
turnovers and penalties will be even more important to either team’s
success. It might come down to the kicking game and field
position; two more areas where NU does not shine like a "glittering
multitude."
NU needs to be creative on offense to win. They need to lean
heavily on their two best players, Jackson and Vitale. It would
be great to have some others on offense step up and make plays.
Because I have not seen it yet I am hesitant to believe that an extra
week of practice is going to make it happen. Fitz has never
beaten a FBS school after a bye week. It wasn't until this year
against Western Illinois that he had even beaten a FCS team. And
yes, NU is coming off a bye this week. I would love to tell you
the ‘Cats are going to win but the lack of creativity on Offense and
general “try not to lose” approach by the coaches has me lacking
confidence in these ‘Cats.
I will continue to hope for the best but,
Iowa 17, NU 16
"Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.” - Dickens
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Lowes Line Season Record: Straight up, 2-5 (2-5 ATS)>