- 2,836
- 10
Bottom line is
IT'S
OUR
TIME
We will win the chip, unless the BCS jerks us.
Quit hating, and celebrate the inevitable.
Boise State 2012 Champs.
2011 College Football "The Real been hacked!!!!" .
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by Chester McFloppy,
- Start date
Bottom line is
IT'S
OUR
TIME
We will win the chip, unless the BCS jerks us.
Quit hating, and celebrate the inevitable.
Boise State 2012 Champs.
- 7,349
- 243
Originally Posted by CosmicCanon
Bottom line is
IT'S
OUR
TIME
We will win the chip, unless the BCS jerks us.
Quit hating, and celebrate the inevitable.
Boise State 2012 Champs.
Who's Kellen gonna throw to, his brother?
- 7,349
- 243
Originally Posted by CosmicCanon
Bottom line is
IT'S
OUR
TIME
We will win the chip, unless the BCS jerks us.
Quit hating, and celebrate the inevitable.
Boise State 2012 Champs.
Who's Kellen gonna throw to, his brother?
- 43,659
- 8,662
Bennie Coney to Cincinatti.
Hank Moody,,
Writeup on your Alma Mater
[h3]Former players in the N.F.L.[/h3]
8 DE Luis Castillo (San Diego), CB Marquice Cole (New York Jets), DT John Gill (Indianapolis), QB Mike Kafka (Philadelphia), CB Sherrick McManis (Houston), OT Ike Ndukwe (New York Giants), RB Tyrell Sutton (Carolina), DE Corey Wootton (Chicago).
[h3]Arbitrary top five list[/h3]
Most one-sided major bowl games during 2000-5 seasons
1. 2005 Orange Bowl: U.S.C. 55, Oklahoma 19.
2. 2000 Alamo Bowl: Nebraska 66, Northwestern 17.
3. 2001 Rose Bowl: Miami (Fla.) 37, Nebraska 14.
4. 2005 Peach Bowl: L.S.U. 40, Miami (Fla.) 3.
5. 2001 Orange Bowl: Florida 56, Maryland 23.
[h3]Coaching[/h3]
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern ’96), 34-29 after five seasons at Northwestern. Yes, a winning record — five games over .500, in fact — through five seasons. Were you expecting anything less? Though Fitzgerald is entering his sixth season at the helm of the program, he remains the second-youngest coach in the F.B.S., trailing only U.S.C.’s Lane Kiffin. Fitzgerald is a Northwestern legend, perhaps the greatest player in program history and the unquestioned leader of the back-to-back Big Ten title-winning teams in 1995-96. Fitzgerald was a two-time Bronko Nagurski and Bednarik Award winner in Evanston; his superb career has already earned him a much-deserved spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. His rise to the top at Northwestern came under difficult circumstances: Fitzgerald was tapped to replace the late Randy Walker when his coaching mentor died of an apparent heart attack four years ago. Fitzgerald served under Walker for five years before taking over, coaching the secondary (2001) and linebackers (2002-5). He added the title of recruiting coordinator during the 2004 season, and has excelled at that role; though it is very difficult – because of academic standards and the regional dogfight with Illinois, Notre Dame, Michigan and others, to land talented players in Evanston – Fitzgerald was widely thought of as one of the best recruiters in the Big Ten. After an altogether excusable 4-8 initial season the Wildcats returned to bowl eligibility with a 6-6 2007 season but, because of a league-record 10 Big Ten teams reaching six wins, were left out of bowl play. Using that disappointment as motivation, the Wildcats have stormed out of the gate in each of the last three years, earning a program-first three consecutive bowl berths. It is therefore not a far stretch to call Fitzgerald, as both a player and a coach, the most important figure in the history of Northwestern football. He’s also a rising star in the coaching ranks, a widely-respected leader for his work at his alma mater, and the man most likely to someday coach in a stadium that bears his name: Ryan Field at Pat Fitzgerald Stadium. I like the way that sounds.
[h3]Persa to watch[/h3]
It’s fitting that even when he suffered a season-ending blow, Dan Persa still came out on top. The scene: Evanston, Nov. 13, Iowa; 1:22 left, Northwestern trailing, 17-14; Persa, back to pass, finds Demetrius Fields for the go-ahead touchdown; seconds later, the camera cuts back to Persa, writhing in pain, his Achilles torn and, though we didn’t know it yet, Northwestern’s season about to run off the rails. No other player in the Big Ten was — or is — more important to his team’s success. And before you say Denard Robinson, recall that Michigan’s offense continued to play at a high level even when Tate Forcier was forced into action due to injuries. Persa means everything, every little thing, to Northwestern, so it’s with great anxiety that the Wildcats look towards September and picture life without the Heisman contender under center.
How is the Achilles, anyway? By all accounts, dating back to the spring, Persa’s recovery has been ahead of schedule. And the senior at 90 percent is still better than 90 percent of the quarterbacks in the F.B.S., not to mention 100 percent of Northwestern’s other options at the position. So Northwestern needs Persa, whether 100 percent or no, and needs him badly. And don’t roll your eyes at the Heisman comment: Persa is absolutely, unequivocally a Heisman contender if he can lead Northwestern into the Top 25. He’s the heart and soul of the offense. The leader of the team. The engine that drives everything that Northwestern does offensively. Without him, the Wildcats are 4-8. With him at full health, the Wildcats could sneak up and take home the Big Ten.
When Persa has his legs — and Achilles — under him, he’s as good as they come. While most expected him to fare well as a first-year starter, it’s funny to recall how some viewed quarterback as a question mark for N.U. heading into 2010. Persa answered any doubts by hitting of 19 of 22 attempts for 222 yards and 3 scores in a season-opening win over Vanderbilt, and continued that torrid pace for his nine games in the starting lineup. For the year, Persa hit on 222 of his 305 attempts, a 73.5 percent clip, with 15 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions. As a runner, Persa added 519 yards and a team-best 9 scores. He can do everything that’s asked of him in this offense. There’s a reason he’d warrant an invite to Manhattan should the Wildcats push for 10 wins. There’s strong, then there’s Persa strong.
[h3]Players to watch[/h3]
This offense could be one of the best in the Big Ten… if the running game can perform with any consistency. Don’t hold your breath. Northwestern’s finished no higher than sixth in the Big Ten in rushing in each season since 2006, and even last season’s sixth-place finish is tinged by the fact that the Wildcats averaged 3.6 yards per carry, third-worst in the Big Ten. But what the total does suggest that Fitzgerald wants to run the ball, wants to create more offensive balance, which is a start. The next step? Finding a lead back capable of carrying the load, which won’t be easy, and getting more serviceable play from an offensive line that struggled on the ground and in pass protection a year ago. No, the line was not good in 2010.
Four starters are back up front, so it’s only natural to expect improvement. The one open position is right guard, a spot formerly belonging to Keegan Grant. N.U. has two options: one is senior Doug Bartels, who started the first three games of 2010 before an injury paved the way for Grant; the other is junior Neal Deiters, a converted tackle whose size, 6’8, is an asset outside but may be a liability along the interior of the line. Expect the status quo elsewhere. Senior Al Netter and junior Patrick Ward are a solid bookend pairing at tackle, but you can’t forget that N.U. did allow 40 sacks last fall, so Netter and Ward need to button things up. Senior Ben Burkett returns at center and junior Brian Mulroe at left guard, though I’d imagine that the loser of the Bartels-Deiters position battle could end up unseating Mulroe on the left side. What about depth? It should also be improved. Colin Armstrong, Deiters and Bartels played a good amount last fall, and the Wildcats are high on a few redshirt freshmen, like Paul Jorgensen and Brandon Vitabile.
Even if N.U. can’t it going on the ground, Persa will have a wealth of riches to work with at receiver. It’s a group led by perhaps the Big Ten’s best at the position in senior Jeremy Ebert, who posted 62 receptions for a league-best 953 yards and 8 scores in 2010. Northwestern seems to always has one previously unknown receiver step up out nowhere; Ebert was in the rotation in 2009, but his ascension into the Big Ten’s elite was one of the nice stories off of Northwestern’s offense. Sidney Stewart must be replaced, but N.U. has nothing but depth at the position. There’s Fields (25 catches for 291 yards), the junior with the big catch against Iowa. Senior Charles Brown (16 for 19
will hold a big role, as will promising sophomore Rashad Lawrence (12 for 17. The depth continues with another crop of sophomores, like Tony Jones, and Veneric Mark, and N.U. also reeled in a handful of true freshmen receivers who could steal some playing time. More? Try out H-back Drake Dunsmore, referred to as the “superback
Hank Moody,,
Writeup on your Alma Mater
Spoiler [+]
[h2][/h2]
[h2]No. 35: Northwestern[/h2][h4]By Paul Myerberg // Jul 30, 2011[/h4]
Go ahead and call. You won’t be blamed; instead, you’ll be lauded for your diligent research and big-picture point of view. Have your people call his people. Charter the private jet. Sign a blank check. Don’t even waste the time needed to bankroll, name and organize the ever-popular search committee, as those suits will sit, eat, drink, dally for days and still, a week later, come up with the same name. Just do it. Call, email, snail mail, smoke signals, semaphore, what have you: just reach out and check. Maybe you’re the suitor he’s waiting for? Maybe you have what others don’t? It can’t hurt. You’d never regret it. Just one problem: Pat Fitzgerald’s not going anywhere.
Conference
Big Ten, Legends
Location
Evanston, Ill.
Nickname
Wildcats
Returning starters
16 (9 offense, 7 defense)
Last year’s ranking
No. 42
2010 record
(7-6, 3-5)
Last year’s
re-ranking
No. 49
2011 schedule
[h3]Last year’s prediction[/h3]
- Sept. 3
at Boston College- Sept. 10
Eastern Illinois- Sept. 17
at Army- Oct. 1
at Illinois- Oct. 8
Michigan- Oct. 15
at Iowa- Oct. 22
Penn St.- Oct. 29
at Indiana- Nov. 5
at Nebraska- Nov. 12
Rice- Nov. 19
Minnesota- Nov. 26
Michigan St.
We’re looking at another eight-win season for Northwestern. Areas that might be a concern, well, really aren’t. Losing Kafka is not that troubling: Northwestern has had wonderful success inserting unproven quarterbacks into the starting lineup, mainly due to the knowledge of the friendly system these quarterback bring into their debut season in the starting lineup. Persa certainly fits this bill. The Wildcats must replace their two top receivers, but return far more experience than they did at this time a year ago. Most importantly, Northwestern is led by Pat Fitzgerald, perhaps the finest young coach in the country. This program continues to improve under his watch, developing overlooked prospects into solid Big Ten performers en route to developing into yearly bowl participants. For those unaware, it’s time to start respecting Northwestern; this is a good team — and a good program.
[h3]2010 recap[/h3]
In a nutshell Here’s a strange thought to consider: Northwestern won seven games… and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it was a disappointment. I expected a bit more from these Wildcats, who entered the fall with a few questions marks – quarterback, funnily enough, was a slight one – but had the sort of schedule to make a dark horse Big Ten run. That wasn’t the case. Northwestern dropped five conference games, including three by larger and larger margins in November. It was by the year’s final month that this defense, beaten down without help from an offense missing its leading piece, dropped off the map. Penn State scored 35 points, Illinois 48 and Wisconsin and whopping 70; it could have been worse, as those who witnessed the loss to the Badgers can attest. The defense continued to slide in a bowl loss to Texas Tech, giving up 48 points, which meant that N.U. allowed 43.6 points per game during its 1-4 finish to the year.
High point The Wildcats did start strong. You’d expect nothing less with this schedule, which didn’t pit N.U. against a bowl opponent until Oct. 23. So Northwestern opened 5-0, defeating Vanderbilt, Central Michigan and Minnesota by a combined eight points. Did you know that Northwestern beat Iowa? Again? There were a few comments about that win – Northwestern’s third straight, and fifth in six tries, against the Hawkeyes – at the bottom of the South Florida preview.
Low point How the year ended. It’s easy to place blame on the defense, but the offense simply couldn’t control the ball with any consistency after Dan Persa’s Achilles injury in the win over Iowa. Try as it might, the defense simply wasn’t good enough to put this team on its back. But we knew that in September; it’s just that the offense did everything it could over the year’s first two months to offset Northwestern’s liabilities.
Tidbit Northwestern is the only Big Ten program to play a non-conference game in November; the Wildcats host Rice on Nov. 12. Each of the remaining 11 teams in the Big Ten plays its four non-conference games over the first four games of the year, in fact. This fall’s date with Rice marks Northwestern’s first November non-conference game since 2001, when the Wildcats hosted Bowling Green on Nov. 17. That game was a late addition to the schedule when Northwestern’s Sept. 15 game against Navy was canceled after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
Tidbit (January edition) Pat Fitzgerald has had a hand in all four of Northwestern’s January bowl appearances. Two came as a player, as we all remember. Fitzgerald led the Wildcats to the Rose Bowl in 1996 and the Citrus Bowl in 1997, losing to U.S.C. and Tennessee, respectively. Two have come as a coach: the Wildcats lost to Auburn in the 2010 Outback Bowl and to Texas Tech after last season. In essence, it’s safe to say no one individual has had a bigger impact on the football program. As an aside, N.U. is 1-8 all-time in bowl games.
Tidbit (100-word preview edition) Today’s guest writer is loyal reader NUwildcat09, whose correct answer to a quiz in the Miami (Ohio) preview, which you can find along the right sidebar, earned him the opportunity to pen a 100-word preview of his favorite team. His team? The Northwestern Wildcats. Take it away, NUwildcat09:
8 DE Luis Castillo (San Diego), CB Marquice Cole (New York Jets), DT John Gill (Indianapolis), QB Mike Kafka (Philadelphia), CB Sherrick McManis (Houston), OT Ike Ndukwe (New York Giants), RB Tyrell Sutton (Carolina), DE Corey Wootton (Chicago).
[h3]Arbitrary top five list[/h3]
Most one-sided major bowl games during 2000-5 seasons
1. 2005 Orange Bowl: U.S.C. 55, Oklahoma 19.
2. 2000 Alamo Bowl: Nebraska 66, Northwestern 17.
3. 2001 Rose Bowl: Miami (Fla.) 37, Nebraska 14.
4. 2005 Peach Bowl: L.S.U. 40, Miami (Fla.) 3.
5. 2001 Orange Bowl: Florida 56, Maryland 23.
[h3]Coaching[/h3]
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern ’96), 34-29 after five seasons at Northwestern. Yes, a winning record — five games over .500, in fact — through five seasons. Were you expecting anything less? Though Fitzgerald is entering his sixth season at the helm of the program, he remains the second-youngest coach in the F.B.S., trailing only U.S.C.’s Lane Kiffin. Fitzgerald is a Northwestern legend, perhaps the greatest player in program history and the unquestioned leader of the back-to-back Big Ten title-winning teams in 1995-96. Fitzgerald was a two-time Bronko Nagurski and Bednarik Award winner in Evanston; his superb career has already earned him a much-deserved spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. His rise to the top at Northwestern came under difficult circumstances: Fitzgerald was tapped to replace the late Randy Walker when his coaching mentor died of an apparent heart attack four years ago. Fitzgerald served under Walker for five years before taking over, coaching the secondary (2001) and linebackers (2002-5). He added the title of recruiting coordinator during the 2004 season, and has excelled at that role; though it is very difficult – because of academic standards and the regional dogfight with Illinois, Notre Dame, Michigan and others, to land talented players in Evanston – Fitzgerald was widely thought of as one of the best recruiters in the Big Ten. After an altogether excusable 4-8 initial season the Wildcats returned to bowl eligibility with a 6-6 2007 season but, because of a league-record 10 Big Ten teams reaching six wins, were left out of bowl play. Using that disappointment as motivation, the Wildcats have stormed out of the gate in each of the last three years, earning a program-first three consecutive bowl berths. It is therefore not a far stretch to call Fitzgerald, as both a player and a coach, the most important figure in the history of Northwestern football. He’s also a rising star in the coaching ranks, a widely-respected leader for his work at his alma mater, and the man most likely to someday coach in a stadium that bears his name: Ryan Field at Pat Fitzgerald Stadium. I like the way that sounds.
[h3]Persa to watch[/h3]
It’s fitting that even when he suffered a season-ending blow, Dan Persa still came out on top. The scene: Evanston, Nov. 13, Iowa; 1:22 left, Northwestern trailing, 17-14; Persa, back to pass, finds Demetrius Fields for the go-ahead touchdown; seconds later, the camera cuts back to Persa, writhing in pain, his Achilles torn and, though we didn’t know it yet, Northwestern’s season about to run off the rails. No other player in the Big Ten was — or is — more important to his team’s success. And before you say Denard Robinson, recall that Michigan’s offense continued to play at a high level even when Tate Forcier was forced into action due to injuries. Persa means everything, every little thing, to Northwestern, so it’s with great anxiety that the Wildcats look towards September and picture life without the Heisman contender under center.
How is the Achilles, anyway? By all accounts, dating back to the spring, Persa’s recovery has been ahead of schedule. And the senior at 90 percent is still better than 90 percent of the quarterbacks in the F.B.S., not to mention 100 percent of Northwestern’s other options at the position. So Northwestern needs Persa, whether 100 percent or no, and needs him badly. And don’t roll your eyes at the Heisman comment: Persa is absolutely, unequivocally a Heisman contender if he can lead Northwestern into the Top 25. He’s the heart and soul of the offense. The leader of the team. The engine that drives everything that Northwestern does offensively. Without him, the Wildcats are 4-8. With him at full health, the Wildcats could sneak up and take home the Big Ten.
When Persa has his legs — and Achilles — under him, he’s as good as they come. While most expected him to fare well as a first-year starter, it’s funny to recall how some viewed quarterback as a question mark for N.U. heading into 2010. Persa answered any doubts by hitting of 19 of 22 attempts for 222 yards and 3 scores in a season-opening win over Vanderbilt, and continued that torrid pace for his nine games in the starting lineup. For the year, Persa hit on 222 of his 305 attempts, a 73.5 percent clip, with 15 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions. As a runner, Persa added 519 yards and a team-best 9 scores. He can do everything that’s asked of him in this offense. There’s a reason he’d warrant an invite to Manhattan should the Wildcats push for 10 wins. There’s strong, then there’s Persa strong.
[h3]Players to watch[/h3]
This offense could be one of the best in the Big Ten… if the running game can perform with any consistency. Don’t hold your breath. Northwestern’s finished no higher than sixth in the Big Ten in rushing in each season since 2006, and even last season’s sixth-place finish is tinged by the fact that the Wildcats averaged 3.6 yards per carry, third-worst in the Big Ten. But what the total does suggest that Fitzgerald wants to run the ball, wants to create more offensive balance, which is a start. The next step? Finding a lead back capable of carrying the load, which won’t be easy, and getting more serviceable play from an offensive line that struggled on the ground and in pass protection a year ago. No, the line was not good in 2010.
Four starters are back up front, so it’s only natural to expect improvement. The one open position is right guard, a spot formerly belonging to Keegan Grant. N.U. has two options: one is senior Doug Bartels, who started the first three games of 2010 before an injury paved the way for Grant; the other is junior Neal Deiters, a converted tackle whose size, 6’8, is an asset outside but may be a liability along the interior of the line. Expect the status quo elsewhere. Senior Al Netter and junior Patrick Ward are a solid bookend pairing at tackle, but you can’t forget that N.U. did allow 40 sacks last fall, so Netter and Ward need to button things up. Senior Ben Burkett returns at center and junior Brian Mulroe at left guard, though I’d imagine that the loser of the Bartels-Deiters position battle could end up unseating Mulroe on the left side. What about depth? It should also be improved. Colin Armstrong, Deiters and Bartels played a good amount last fall, and the Wildcats are high on a few redshirt freshmen, like Paul Jorgensen and Brandon Vitabile.
Even if N.U. can’t it going on the ground, Persa will have a wealth of riches to work with at receiver. It’s a group led by perhaps the Big Ten’s best at the position in senior Jeremy Ebert, who posted 62 receptions for a league-best 953 yards and 8 scores in 2010. Northwestern seems to always has one previously unknown receiver step up out nowhere; Ebert was in the rotation in 2009, but his ascension into the Big Ten’s elite was one of the nice stories off of Northwestern’s offense. Sidney Stewart must be replaced, but N.U. has nothing but depth at the position. There’s Fields (25 catches for 291 yards), the junior with the big catch against Iowa. Senior Charles Brown (16 for 19
will hold a big role, as will promising sophomore Rashad Lawrence (12 for 17. The depth continues with another crop of sophomores, like Tony Jones, and Veneric Mark, and N.U. also reeled in a handful of true freshmen receivers who could steal some playing time. More? Try out H-back Drake Dunsmore, referred to as the “superback
- 43,659
- 8,662
Bennie Coney to Cincinatti.
Hank Moody,,
Writeup on your Alma Mater
[h3]Former players in the N.F.L.[/h3]
8 DE Luis Castillo (San Diego), CB Marquice Cole (New York Jets), DT John Gill (Indianapolis), QB Mike Kafka (Philadelphia), CB Sherrick McManis (Houston), OT Ike Ndukwe (New York Giants), RB Tyrell Sutton (Carolina), DE Corey Wootton (Chicago).
[h3]Arbitrary top five list[/h3]
Most one-sided major bowl games during 2000-5 seasons
1. 2005 Orange Bowl: U.S.C. 55, Oklahoma 19.
2. 2000 Alamo Bowl: Nebraska 66, Northwestern 17.
3. 2001 Rose Bowl: Miami (Fla.) 37, Nebraska 14.
4. 2005 Peach Bowl: L.S.U. 40, Miami (Fla.) 3.
5. 2001 Orange Bowl: Florida 56, Maryland 23.
[h3]Coaching[/h3]
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern ’96), 34-29 after five seasons at Northwestern. Yes, a winning record — five games over .500, in fact — through five seasons. Were you expecting anything less? Though Fitzgerald is entering his sixth season at the helm of the program, he remains the second-youngest coach in the F.B.S., trailing only U.S.C.’s Lane Kiffin. Fitzgerald is a Northwestern legend, perhaps the greatest player in program history and the unquestioned leader of the back-to-back Big Ten title-winning teams in 1995-96. Fitzgerald was a two-time Bronko Nagurski and Bednarik Award winner in Evanston; his superb career has already earned him a much-deserved spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. His rise to the top at Northwestern came under difficult circumstances: Fitzgerald was tapped to replace the late Randy Walker when his coaching mentor died of an apparent heart attack four years ago. Fitzgerald served under Walker for five years before taking over, coaching the secondary (2001) and linebackers (2002-5). He added the title of recruiting coordinator during the 2004 season, and has excelled at that role; though it is very difficult – because of academic standards and the regional dogfight with Illinois, Notre Dame, Michigan and others, to land talented players in Evanston – Fitzgerald was widely thought of as one of the best recruiters in the Big Ten. After an altogether excusable 4-8 initial season the Wildcats returned to bowl eligibility with a 6-6 2007 season but, because of a league-record 10 Big Ten teams reaching six wins, were left out of bowl play. Using that disappointment as motivation, the Wildcats have stormed out of the gate in each of the last three years, earning a program-first three consecutive bowl berths. It is therefore not a far stretch to call Fitzgerald, as both a player and a coach, the most important figure in the history of Northwestern football. He’s also a rising star in the coaching ranks, a widely-respected leader for his work at his alma mater, and the man most likely to someday coach in a stadium that bears his name: Ryan Field at Pat Fitzgerald Stadium. I like the way that sounds.
[h3]Persa to watch[/h3]
It’s fitting that even when he suffered a season-ending blow, Dan Persa still came out on top. The scene: Evanston, Nov. 13, Iowa; 1:22 left, Northwestern trailing, 17-14; Persa, back to pass, finds Demetrius Fields for the go-ahead touchdown; seconds later, the camera cuts back to Persa, writhing in pain, his Achilles torn and, though we didn’t know it yet, Northwestern’s season about to run off the rails. No other player in the Big Ten was — or is — more important to his team’s success. And before you say Denard Robinson, recall that Michigan’s offense continued to play at a high level even when Tate Forcier was forced into action due to injuries. Persa means everything, every little thing, to Northwestern, so it’s with great anxiety that the Wildcats look towards September and picture life without the Heisman contender under center.
How is the Achilles, anyway? By all accounts, dating back to the spring, Persa’s recovery has been ahead of schedule. And the senior at 90 percent is still better than 90 percent of the quarterbacks in the F.B.S., not to mention 100 percent of Northwestern’s other options at the position. So Northwestern needs Persa, whether 100 percent or no, and needs him badly. And don’t roll your eyes at the Heisman comment: Persa is absolutely, unequivocally a Heisman contender if he can lead Northwestern into the Top 25. He’s the heart and soul of the offense. The leader of the team. The engine that drives everything that Northwestern does offensively. Without him, the Wildcats are 4-8. With him at full health, the Wildcats could sneak up and take home the Big Ten.
When Persa has his legs — and Achilles — under him, he’s as good as they come. While most expected him to fare well as a first-year starter, it’s funny to recall how some viewed quarterback as a question mark for N.U. heading into 2010. Persa answered any doubts by hitting of 19 of 22 attempts for 222 yards and 3 scores in a season-opening win over Vanderbilt, and continued that torrid pace for his nine games in the starting lineup. For the year, Persa hit on 222 of his 305 attempts, a 73.5 percent clip, with 15 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions. As a runner, Persa added 519 yards and a team-best 9 scores. He can do everything that’s asked of him in this offense. There’s a reason he’d warrant an invite to Manhattan should the Wildcats push for 10 wins. There’s strong, then there’s Persa strong.
[h3]Players to watch[/h3]
This offense could be one of the best in the Big Ten… if the running game can perform with any consistency. Don’t hold your breath. Northwestern’s finished no higher than sixth in the Big Ten in rushing in each season since 2006, and even last season’s sixth-place finish is tinged by the fact that the Wildcats averaged 3.6 yards per carry, third-worst in the Big Ten. But what the total does suggest that Fitzgerald wants to run the ball, wants to create more offensive balance, which is a start. The next step? Finding a lead back capable of carrying the load, which won’t be easy, and getting more serviceable play from an offensive line that struggled on the ground and in pass protection a year ago. No, the line was not good in 2010.
Four starters are back up front, so it’s only natural to expect improvement. The one open position is right guard, a spot formerly belonging to Keegan Grant. N.U. has two options: one is senior Doug Bartels, who started the first three games of 2010 before an injury paved the way for Grant; the other is junior Neal Deiters, a converted tackle whose size, 6’8, is an asset outside but may be a liability along the interior of the line. Expect the status quo elsewhere. Senior Al Netter and junior Patrick Ward are a solid bookend pairing at tackle, but you can’t forget that N.U. did allow 40 sacks last fall, so Netter and Ward need to button things up. Senior Ben Burkett returns at center and junior Brian Mulroe at left guard, though I’d imagine that the loser of the Bartels-Deiters position battle could end up unseating Mulroe on the left side. What about depth? It should also be improved. Colin Armstrong, Deiters and Bartels played a good amount last fall, and the Wildcats are high on a few redshirt freshmen, like Paul Jorgensen and Brandon Vitabile.
Even if N.U. can’t it going on the ground, Persa will have a wealth of riches to work with at receiver. It’s a group led by perhaps the Big Ten’s best at the position in senior Jeremy Ebert, who posted 62 receptions for a league-best 953 yards and 8 scores in 2010. Northwestern seems to always has one previously unknown receiver step up out nowhere; Ebert was in the rotation in 2009, but his ascension into the Big Ten’s elite was one of the nice stories off of Northwestern’s offense. Sidney Stewart must be replaced, but N.U. has nothing but depth at the position. There’s Fields (25 catches for 291 yards), the junior with the big catch against Iowa. Senior Charles Brown (16 for 19 will hold a big role, as will promising sophomore Rashad Lawrence (12 for 17. The depth continues with another crop of sophomores, like Tony Jones, and Veneric Mark, and N.U. also reeled in a handful of true freshmen receivers who could steal some playing time. More? Try out H-back Drake Dunsmore, referred to as the “superback
Hank Moody,,
Writeup on your Alma Mater
Spoiler [+]
[h2][/h2]
[h2]No. 35: Northwestern[/h2][h4]By Paul Myerberg // Jul 30, 2011[/h4]
Go ahead and call. You won’t be blamed; instead, you’ll be lauded for your diligent research and big-picture point of view. Have your people call his people. Charter the private jet. Sign a blank check. Don’t even waste the time needed to bankroll, name and organize the ever-popular search committee, as those suits will sit, eat, drink, dally for days and still, a week later, come up with the same name. Just do it. Call, email, snail mail, smoke signals, semaphore, what have you: just reach out and check. Maybe you’re the suitor he’s waiting for? Maybe you have what others don’t? It can’t hurt. You’d never regret it. Just one problem: Pat Fitzgerald’s not going anywhere.
Conference
Big Ten, Legends
Location
Evanston, Ill.
Nickname
Wildcats
Returning starters
16 (9 offense, 7 defense)
Last year’s ranking
No. 42
2010 record
(7-6, 3-5)
Last year’s
re-ranking
No. 49
2011 schedule
[h3]Last year’s prediction[/h3]
- Sept. 3
at Boston College- Sept. 10
Eastern Illinois- Sept. 17
at Army- Oct. 1
at Illinois- Oct. 8
Michigan- Oct. 15
at Iowa- Oct. 22
Penn St.- Oct. 29
at Indiana- Nov. 5
at Nebraska- Nov. 12
Rice- Nov. 19
Minnesota- Nov. 26
Michigan St.
We’re looking at another eight-win season for Northwestern. Areas that might be a concern, well, really aren’t. Losing Kafka is not that troubling: Northwestern has had wonderful success inserting unproven quarterbacks into the starting lineup, mainly due to the knowledge of the friendly system these quarterback bring into their debut season in the starting lineup. Persa certainly fits this bill. The Wildcats must replace their two top receivers, but return far more experience than they did at this time a year ago. Most importantly, Northwestern is led by Pat Fitzgerald, perhaps the finest young coach in the country. This program continues to improve under his watch, developing overlooked prospects into solid Big Ten performers en route to developing into yearly bowl participants. For those unaware, it’s time to start respecting Northwestern; this is a good team — and a good program.
[h3]2010 recap[/h3]
In a nutshell Here’s a strange thought to consider: Northwestern won seven games… and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it was a disappointment. I expected a bit more from these Wildcats, who entered the fall with a few questions marks – quarterback, funnily enough, was a slight one – but had the sort of schedule to make a dark horse Big Ten run. That wasn’t the case. Northwestern dropped five conference games, including three by larger and larger margins in November. It was by the year’s final month that this defense, beaten down without help from an offense missing its leading piece, dropped off the map. Penn State scored 35 points, Illinois 48 and Wisconsin and whopping 70; it could have been worse, as those who witnessed the loss to the Badgers can attest. The defense continued to slide in a bowl loss to Texas Tech, giving up 48 points, which meant that N.U. allowed 43.6 points per game during its 1-4 finish to the year.
High point The Wildcats did start strong. You’d expect nothing less with this schedule, which didn’t pit N.U. against a bowl opponent until Oct. 23. So Northwestern opened 5-0, defeating Vanderbilt, Central Michigan and Minnesota by a combined eight points. Did you know that Northwestern beat Iowa? Again? There were a few comments about that win – Northwestern’s third straight, and fifth in six tries, against the Hawkeyes – at the bottom of the South Florida preview.
Low point How the year ended. It’s easy to place blame on the defense, but the offense simply couldn’t control the ball with any consistency after Dan Persa’s Achilles injury in the win over Iowa. Try as it might, the defense simply wasn’t good enough to put this team on its back. But we knew that in September; it’s just that the offense did everything it could over the year’s first two months to offset Northwestern’s liabilities.
Tidbit Northwestern is the only Big Ten program to play a non-conference game in November; the Wildcats host Rice on Nov. 12. Each of the remaining 11 teams in the Big Ten plays its four non-conference games over the first four games of the year, in fact. This fall’s date with Rice marks Northwestern’s first November non-conference game since 2001, when the Wildcats hosted Bowling Green on Nov. 17. That game was a late addition to the schedule when Northwestern’s Sept. 15 game against Navy was canceled after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
Tidbit (January edition) Pat Fitzgerald has had a hand in all four of Northwestern’s January bowl appearances. Two came as a player, as we all remember. Fitzgerald led the Wildcats to the Rose Bowl in 1996 and the Citrus Bowl in 1997, losing to U.S.C. and Tennessee, respectively. Two have come as a coach: the Wildcats lost to Auburn in the 2010 Outback Bowl and to Texas Tech after last season. In essence, it’s safe to say no one individual has had a bigger impact on the football program. As an aside, N.U. is 1-8 all-time in bowl games.
Tidbit (100-word preview edition) Today’s guest writer is loyal reader NUwildcat09, whose correct answer to a quiz in the Miami (Ohio) preview, which you can find along the right sidebar, earned him the opportunity to pen a 100-word preview of his favorite team. His team? The Northwestern Wildcats. Take it away, NUwildcat09:
8 DE Luis Castillo (San Diego), CB Marquice Cole (New York Jets), DT John Gill (Indianapolis), QB Mike Kafka (Philadelphia), CB Sherrick McManis (Houston), OT Ike Ndukwe (New York Giants), RB Tyrell Sutton (Carolina), DE Corey Wootton (Chicago).
[h3]Arbitrary top five list[/h3]
Most one-sided major bowl games during 2000-5 seasons
1. 2005 Orange Bowl: U.S.C. 55, Oklahoma 19.
2. 2000 Alamo Bowl: Nebraska 66, Northwestern 17.
3. 2001 Rose Bowl: Miami (Fla.) 37, Nebraska 14.
4. 2005 Peach Bowl: L.S.U. 40, Miami (Fla.) 3.
5. 2001 Orange Bowl: Florida 56, Maryland 23.
[h3]Coaching[/h3]
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern ’96), 34-29 after five seasons at Northwestern. Yes, a winning record — five games over .500, in fact — through five seasons. Were you expecting anything less? Though Fitzgerald is entering his sixth season at the helm of the program, he remains the second-youngest coach in the F.B.S., trailing only U.S.C.’s Lane Kiffin. Fitzgerald is a Northwestern legend, perhaps the greatest player in program history and the unquestioned leader of the back-to-back Big Ten title-winning teams in 1995-96. Fitzgerald was a two-time Bronko Nagurski and Bednarik Award winner in Evanston; his superb career has already earned him a much-deserved spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. His rise to the top at Northwestern came under difficult circumstances: Fitzgerald was tapped to replace the late Randy Walker when his coaching mentor died of an apparent heart attack four years ago. Fitzgerald served under Walker for five years before taking over, coaching the secondary (2001) and linebackers (2002-5). He added the title of recruiting coordinator during the 2004 season, and has excelled at that role; though it is very difficult – because of academic standards and the regional dogfight with Illinois, Notre Dame, Michigan and others, to land talented players in Evanston – Fitzgerald was widely thought of as one of the best recruiters in the Big Ten. After an altogether excusable 4-8 initial season the Wildcats returned to bowl eligibility with a 6-6 2007 season but, because of a league-record 10 Big Ten teams reaching six wins, were left out of bowl play. Using that disappointment as motivation, the Wildcats have stormed out of the gate in each of the last three years, earning a program-first three consecutive bowl berths. It is therefore not a far stretch to call Fitzgerald, as both a player and a coach, the most important figure in the history of Northwestern football. He’s also a rising star in the coaching ranks, a widely-respected leader for his work at his alma mater, and the man most likely to someday coach in a stadium that bears his name: Ryan Field at Pat Fitzgerald Stadium. I like the way that sounds.
[h3]Persa to watch[/h3]
It’s fitting that even when he suffered a season-ending blow, Dan Persa still came out on top. The scene: Evanston, Nov. 13, Iowa; 1:22 left, Northwestern trailing, 17-14; Persa, back to pass, finds Demetrius Fields for the go-ahead touchdown; seconds later, the camera cuts back to Persa, writhing in pain, his Achilles torn and, though we didn’t know it yet, Northwestern’s season about to run off the rails. No other player in the Big Ten was — or is — more important to his team’s success. And before you say Denard Robinson, recall that Michigan’s offense continued to play at a high level even when Tate Forcier was forced into action due to injuries. Persa means everything, every little thing, to Northwestern, so it’s with great anxiety that the Wildcats look towards September and picture life without the Heisman contender under center.
How is the Achilles, anyway? By all accounts, dating back to the spring, Persa’s recovery has been ahead of schedule. And the senior at 90 percent is still better than 90 percent of the quarterbacks in the F.B.S., not to mention 100 percent of Northwestern’s other options at the position. So Northwestern needs Persa, whether 100 percent or no, and needs him badly. And don’t roll your eyes at the Heisman comment: Persa is absolutely, unequivocally a Heisman contender if he can lead Northwestern into the Top 25. He’s the heart and soul of the offense. The leader of the team. The engine that drives everything that Northwestern does offensively. Without him, the Wildcats are 4-8. With him at full health, the Wildcats could sneak up and take home the Big Ten.
When Persa has his legs — and Achilles — under him, he’s as good as they come. While most expected him to fare well as a first-year starter, it’s funny to recall how some viewed quarterback as a question mark for N.U. heading into 2010. Persa answered any doubts by hitting of 19 of 22 attempts for 222 yards and 3 scores in a season-opening win over Vanderbilt, and continued that torrid pace for his nine games in the starting lineup. For the year, Persa hit on 222 of his 305 attempts, a 73.5 percent clip, with 15 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions. As a runner, Persa added 519 yards and a team-best 9 scores. He can do everything that’s asked of him in this offense. There’s a reason he’d warrant an invite to Manhattan should the Wildcats push for 10 wins. There’s strong, then there’s Persa strong.
[h3]Players to watch[/h3]
This offense could be one of the best in the Big Ten… if the running game can perform with any consistency. Don’t hold your breath. Northwestern’s finished no higher than sixth in the Big Ten in rushing in each season since 2006, and even last season’s sixth-place finish is tinged by the fact that the Wildcats averaged 3.6 yards per carry, third-worst in the Big Ten. But what the total does suggest that Fitzgerald wants to run the ball, wants to create more offensive balance, which is a start. The next step? Finding a lead back capable of carrying the load, which won’t be easy, and getting more serviceable play from an offensive line that struggled on the ground and in pass protection a year ago. No, the line was not good in 2010.
Four starters are back up front, so it’s only natural to expect improvement. The one open position is right guard, a spot formerly belonging to Keegan Grant. N.U. has two options: one is senior Doug Bartels, who started the first three games of 2010 before an injury paved the way for Grant; the other is junior Neal Deiters, a converted tackle whose size, 6’8, is an asset outside but may be a liability along the interior of the line. Expect the status quo elsewhere. Senior Al Netter and junior Patrick Ward are a solid bookend pairing at tackle, but you can’t forget that N.U. did allow 40 sacks last fall, so Netter and Ward need to button things up. Senior Ben Burkett returns at center and junior Brian Mulroe at left guard, though I’d imagine that the loser of the Bartels-Deiters position battle could end up unseating Mulroe on the left side. What about depth? It should also be improved. Colin Armstrong, Deiters and Bartels played a good amount last fall, and the Wildcats are high on a few redshirt freshmen, like Paul Jorgensen and Brandon Vitabile.
Even if N.U. can’t it going on the ground, Persa will have a wealth of riches to work with at receiver. It’s a group led by perhaps the Big Ten’s best at the position in senior Jeremy Ebert, who posted 62 receptions for a league-best 953 yards and 8 scores in 2010. Northwestern seems to always has one previously unknown receiver step up out nowhere; Ebert was in the rotation in 2009, but his ascension into the Big Ten’s elite was one of the nice stories off of Northwestern’s offense. Sidney Stewart must be replaced, but N.U. has nothing but depth at the position. There’s Fields (25 catches for 291 yards), the junior with the big catch against Iowa. Senior Charles Brown (16 for 19
will hold a big role, as will promising sophomore Rashad Lawrence (12 for 17. The depth continues with another crop of sophomores, like Tony Jones, and Veneric Mark, and N.U. also reeled in a handful of true freshmen receivers who could steal some playing time. More? Try out H-back Drake Dunsmore, referred to as the “superback
- 30,269
- 21,727
Originally Posted by CosmicCanon
Bottom line is
Boise State 2012 Champs.
Is LeBron getting jealous?
- 30,269
- 21,727
Originally Posted by CosmicCanon
Bottom line is
Boise State 2012 Champs.
Is LeBron getting jealous?
- 1,157
- 10
Pio Vatuvei to SC
- 1,157
- 10
Pio Vatuvei to SC
- 31,964
- 1,056
Marcus Allen verbals to ga tech.
- 31,964
- 1,056
Marcus Allen verbals to ga tech.
- 8,332
- 216
- 8,332
- 216
- 31,964
- 1,056
Please tell me those pics of Alshon Jeffery are fakes... That can not be him Lookin flabby n sick
- 31,964
- 1,056
Please tell me those pics of Alshon Jeffery are fakes... That can not be him Lookin flabby n sick
- 7,349
- 243
Pics? He's probably trying to add weight; TE's need it to be able to block at the next level
- 7,349
- 243
Pics? He's probably trying to add weight; TE's need it to be able to block at the next level
- 43,659
- 8,662
- 43,659
- 8,662
- 8,956
- 39
he looks like he is in the early stages of pregnancy
- 8,956
- 39
he looks like he is in the early stages of pregnancy
- 8,332
- 216
- 8,332
- 216
- 3,580
- 10
Looking like BMW Jr.
- 3,580
- 10
Looking like BMW Jr.
