Any Northwestern fan knows that no game is a sure win or sure loss, but this week’s contest against the Miami RedHawks seems like a sure win. That said, the Wildcats better not take Miami for granted. Yes, Miami is 0-5, but they are an improving team. Also, although Northwestern played much better against Purdue, they still have work to do in order to be prepared for the rest of the Big Ten season.
First off, I’d like to see Northwestern’s defense continue to play with the same intensity they played with in the second half against Purdue. Miami has a young quarterback who is improving each week and he’ll be a good challenge for NU’s defensive backs. Sherrick McManis made the play of the season against Purdue, but NU still struggled with pass defense at times. In fact, Purdue could have won the game if Joey Elliott had hit a wide open receiver.
The Miami contest also gives NU’s defensive line another chance to show their talent. Most expected NU’s superior talent to win out against Eastern Michigan, but the Eagles O-line won that match up soundly. Syracuse and Minnesota also dominated NU’s d-line, but it was the Wildcats d-line who out muscled Purdue’s large offensive line. If NU plays as well, or better, against Miami then I’ll feel more confident about the rest of the season. I think getting Niko Mafuli into the rotation might be remembered along with the McManis pick as a key moment which changed NU’s fortunes.
Offensively Northwestern needs to find a way to establish its run game. The Wildcats improved somewhat against Purdue, but there is still great room for more improvement. One thing I liked in the Purdue game was how NU used Mike Kafka more in the run offense. One item which seemed missing, though, was Jeravin Matthews. I think the package where NU has the QB alone in the backfield and sends the running back in motion in front of him was something NU picked up when they visited to Florida to talk about how the Gators used Percy Harvin. Considering Matthews is NU’s fastest player, I would guess he’d be the best option to make the defense respect the fact the QB might hand the ball off on that play. I’d also guess he would be the guy most likely to beat the defense to the outside as Harvin did for the Gators.
Finally, I’d also like see NU get into together in short yardage situations. I know NU’s o-line might be built more for being able to move in the spread, but there has to be a way for the Wildcats to consistently pick up short yardage. I think the best way might be like at the end of the game in which NU kept the ball in Kafka’s hands. At 6-4 210 he should be tough to stop with forward momentum. I’d also like to see NU at least consider going under center. They could even go under center and use play action as they did for a TD to Brendan Mitchell in last year’s win over Purdue.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Better Fundamental Play Leads to Victory for Northwestern
To quote former Northwestern coach Randy Walker, “This wasn’t a game of perfect, but it never is.” The good news is despite playing a far from perfect game the Wildcats beat Purdue 27-21. The better news is despite the fact Northwestern wasn’t perfect, they were a lot better than they’ve been the past two weeks on defense. The offense struggled a bit more at times, but to be honest, I think the offense’s play has been pretty consistent so far this season.
Some will day Purdue helped NU’s defense look good, but virtually every turnover Purdue made was actually caused by NU. There were no plays were Purdue just dropped the ball or Joey Elliott threw right to NU. On Sherrick McManis’s interception, McManis made an amazing play to bait Elliott into making a bad throw. Also, most of the fumbles were the result of defensive strips including two by Brad Phillips, who played his best game all year.
NU’s defense also seemed to benefit from more playing time from Niko Mafuli and Adam Hahn at the defensive tackles and David Arnold at linebacker. All three players looked better at taking on blockers than the guys they replaced. Mafuli also seems to take pressure off of the other defensive linemen since the guy is gigantic. Arnold simply looked more like a Big Ten caliber player than Ben Johnson. Arnold and Johnson were both safeties in high school, but while Johnson still looks like a safety, Arnold looks like a strong physical linebacker. I think this is why he could shed blockers easier.
Northwestern also improved significantly on special teams. The kick coverage team got a big boost from true freshman Roderick Goodlow who busted Purdue’s wedge a couple times and led great pursuit on the ball carrier. I also saw Arnold and Jeravin Matthews show good speed and tackling ability on coverage as well.
Of course, any special teams discussion has to mention Stefan Demos hitting four fields and making a perfect rugby punt which got NU a turnover.
One thing I still don’t get on special teams, though, is the kickoff return game plan. NU doesn’t look like they block well and even when they do block, the returners seem to slow down before contact. That’s a bad idea. If you look at good kick returners they run full speed until they are tackled. Matthews and Andrew Brewer need to learn this lesson.
On offense Northwestern made pretty much the same mistakes they’ve made in all the other games. They also pretty much did the same things well as they have in the other games. Mike Kafka still threw the ball well overall, but also missed several wide open receivers because of his propensity to misfire high. A sure TD to Drake Dunsmore was the most notable miss. NU also continued to play inconsistently on the offensive line. The right tackle position is the worst offender, but the middle of the line didn’t open as many holes on QB draws as I think Mick McCall thought they would. I also still don't understand why NU can't just pick 5 (or 6) o-linemen and play them all the time. Why the 'Cats rotate linemen like wideouts or tailbacks is beyond me. I mean it'd be one thing if they were all about the same, but I think some of the backups are clearly weaker than the starters.
It was nice to see NU call some designed QB runs. Some worked and some did not, but at least the defense actually had to respect Kafka’s legs. The best thing about Kafka today was he didn’t turn the ball over. In fact, after a TO by Arby Fields on the first play of the game NU never turned the ball over again.
Finally, though, he made some less than stellar reads in the passing game and took a few losses, I think Arby Fields played well. He ran hard and clearly hits the hole quicker than Schmidt. In the goal line situation, though, I’d rather have NU keep the ball in Kafka’s hands as they did for the final score. I think the 6-4 Kafka is better in short yardage than any tailback NU has on the roster. Personally, if I were in charge I’d have both Kafka and Dan Persa in when NU was on the goal line. I think they’re NU’s best short yardage options.
Some will day Purdue helped NU’s defense look good, but virtually every turnover Purdue made was actually caused by NU. There were no plays were Purdue just dropped the ball or Joey Elliott threw right to NU. On Sherrick McManis’s interception, McManis made an amazing play to bait Elliott into making a bad throw. Also, most of the fumbles were the result of defensive strips including two by Brad Phillips, who played his best game all year.
NU’s defense also seemed to benefit from more playing time from Niko Mafuli and Adam Hahn at the defensive tackles and David Arnold at linebacker. All three players looked better at taking on blockers than the guys they replaced. Mafuli also seems to take pressure off of the other defensive linemen since the guy is gigantic. Arnold simply looked more like a Big Ten caliber player than Ben Johnson. Arnold and Johnson were both safeties in high school, but while Johnson still looks like a safety, Arnold looks like a strong physical linebacker. I think this is why he could shed blockers easier.
Northwestern also improved significantly on special teams. The kick coverage team got a big boost from true freshman Roderick Goodlow who busted Purdue’s wedge a couple times and led great pursuit on the ball carrier. I also saw Arnold and Jeravin Matthews show good speed and tackling ability on coverage as well.
Of course, any special teams discussion has to mention Stefan Demos hitting four fields and making a perfect rugby punt which got NU a turnover.
One thing I still don’t get on special teams, though, is the kickoff return game plan. NU doesn’t look like they block well and even when they do block, the returners seem to slow down before contact. That’s a bad idea. If you look at good kick returners they run full speed until they are tackled. Matthews and Andrew Brewer need to learn this lesson.
On offense Northwestern made pretty much the same mistakes they’ve made in all the other games. They also pretty much did the same things well as they have in the other games. Mike Kafka still threw the ball well overall, but also missed several wide open receivers because of his propensity to misfire high. A sure TD to Drake Dunsmore was the most notable miss. NU also continued to play inconsistently on the offensive line. The right tackle position is the worst offender, but the middle of the line didn’t open as many holes on QB draws as I think Mick McCall thought they would. I also still don't understand why NU can't just pick 5 (or 6) o-linemen and play them all the time. Why the 'Cats rotate linemen like wideouts or tailbacks is beyond me. I mean it'd be one thing if they were all about the same, but I think some of the backups are clearly weaker than the starters.
It was nice to see NU call some designed QB runs. Some worked and some did not, but at least the defense actually had to respect Kafka’s legs. The best thing about Kafka today was he didn’t turn the ball over. In fact, after a TO by Arby Fields on the first play of the game NU never turned the ball over again.
Finally, though, he made some less than stellar reads in the passing game and took a few losses, I think Arby Fields played well. He ran hard and clearly hits the hole quicker than Schmidt. In the goal line situation, though, I’d rather have NU keep the ball in Kafka’s hands as they did for the final score. I think the 6-4 Kafka is better in short yardage than any tailback NU has on the roster. Personally, if I were in charge I’d have both Kafka and Dan Persa in when NU was on the goal line. I think they’re NU’s best short yardage options.
End of Q4 from Purdue: NU Wins! NU Wins!
It seems like its been forever, but its only been two weeks. Still, it's great to see NU with a victory to move the record to 3-2. With a very winnable game next week the Wildcats are still in bowl contention. Great job by the defense of looking like the players they really are in shutting out Purdue during the second half and holding on the goal line at the end of the game. Go Cats!
End of Q3 from Purdue: Can Fitz read digital clocks?
Pat Fitzgerald must have an analog clock in his office because he just took the strangest penalty I've ever seen. Let's see if NU can pick up their coach with a good 4th quater and get the team's first Big Ten win of the season.
End of Q2 from Purude: Thanks, Boilers for letting NU back in the game.
Thanks to some poor ballhandling by Purdue the Wildcats are back in the game at 21-16. Northwestern MUST learn to score TDs in the redzone, however. Hopefully, Purude will continue to make mistakes. At least these 'Cats don't seem to quit when they get down.
End of Q1 from Purdue: I can’t believe how bad NU looks
I’m now convinced that somewhere between the end of the Alamo Bowl and the start of this season Northwestern’s defenders were abducted by aliens and replaced with imposters, because this group has no idea how to play football. That was so ugly I can’t even begin to say. Also, I’m not a fan of the gutless FG choice from the 1 when you’ve got a lousy defense you need to try and get 7.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What Personal Changes Would Help Northwestern
I posted the following article at bleacherreport.com as well, but I think it’s worth a read for those who don’t frequent that site so I’m posting it here also.
Overall Northwestern has a talented football team and for the most part I think NU’s coaches have the right guys in place, but that doesn’t stop this interested observer from offering a few thoughts on where NU could improve itself.
First and foremost Arby Fields needs to play running back. I have all the respect in the world for Jacob Schmidt who has accomplished something 99.9% of the population probably couldn’t do in going from walk-on to starting tailback in the Big Ten. He’s also probably faster than 95% of the world’s population, however, the 5% he isn’t faster than play defense in division 1 football and right now Schmidt’s sub 4 yard a carry average is really hurting NU’s offensive balance. Playing Arby Fields might not be a total fix, but he is the back who will give NU the best chance to win.
The second personal change involves the kickoff return team. NU needs to find some guys who can block for this unit. Putting a bunch of receivers as up men isn’t working right now. Now, most teams would use fullbacks in that spot, but NU only has one real fullback, Mark Woodsum, and he is on the return team. Somehow, NU needs to find other guys who can block so their returners don’t get seriously hurt. Maybe linebackers who played fullback in high school could help get some blocking in front of Matthews or Brewer.
Third, NU needs to put starting defenders on the kick coverage team. I know this might not be the most popular suggestion, but many teams do this because the guys who start on defense are the fastest players who can also tackle. Although it looks like NU’s defense can’t tackle, they really can, and if they can cover kicks faster they’ll only help themselves by forcing opponents to travel a longer distance to the endzone.
Finally, Desmond Taylor needs to move back to tackle. The truth is Taylor was never the best tackle in the world, but he did a much better job at avoiding drive killing penalties and missed blocks than Kurt Mattes and Neal Deiters this year. Both Mattes and Deiters have struggled at the right tackle spot. I’m still hopeful Mattes can get back to form, but right now it looks like Taylor should start. If Taylor moves back to tackle either Keegan Grant or Patrick Ward will need to step up their play at guard, but with the way Minnesota’s defensive ends killed NU I think getting a stronger guy protecting the outside of the pocket is critical.
Overall Northwestern has a talented football team and for the most part I think NU’s coaches have the right guys in place, but that doesn’t stop this interested observer from offering a few thoughts on where NU could improve itself.
First and foremost Arby Fields needs to play running back. I have all the respect in the world for Jacob Schmidt who has accomplished something 99.9% of the population probably couldn’t do in going from walk-on to starting tailback in the Big Ten. He’s also probably faster than 95% of the world’s population, however, the 5% he isn’t faster than play defense in division 1 football and right now Schmidt’s sub 4 yard a carry average is really hurting NU’s offensive balance. Playing Arby Fields might not be a total fix, but he is the back who will give NU the best chance to win.
The second personal change involves the kickoff return team. NU needs to find some guys who can block for this unit. Putting a bunch of receivers as up men isn’t working right now. Now, most teams would use fullbacks in that spot, but NU only has one real fullback, Mark Woodsum, and he is on the return team. Somehow, NU needs to find other guys who can block so their returners don’t get seriously hurt. Maybe linebackers who played fullback in high school could help get some blocking in front of Matthews or Brewer.
Third, NU needs to put starting defenders on the kick coverage team. I know this might not be the most popular suggestion, but many teams do this because the guys who start on defense are the fastest players who can also tackle. Although it looks like NU’s defense can’t tackle, they really can, and if they can cover kicks faster they’ll only help themselves by forcing opponents to travel a longer distance to the endzone.
Finally, Desmond Taylor needs to move back to tackle. The truth is Taylor was never the best tackle in the world, but he did a much better job at avoiding drive killing penalties and missed blocks than Kurt Mattes and Neal Deiters this year. Both Mattes and Deiters have struggled at the right tackle spot. I’m still hopeful Mattes can get back to form, but right now it looks like Taylor should start. If Taylor moves back to tackle either Keegan Grant or Patrick Ward will need to step up their play at guard, but with the way Minnesota’s defensive ends killed NU I think getting a stronger guy protecting the outside of the pocket is critical.
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