GM recruiting and retention

While we were ahead by a touchdown it wasn't until the Defense was able to stop two fourth down attempts by Utah that a win looked likely despite just minutes remaining on the clock. Then when the Wildcats got the ball for the final series it wasn't until #2 performed an heroic quarterback run for a first down that victory was assured as it then became possible to run the clock out by taking a knee(s). Here are some photos of those events as captured from my seat in the stands:





And below is a photo of Side Line Reporter Stormy as she congratulated Coach Braun on the win.

(It was among the photos that I had texted to my daughter, who is a friend of Sormy. My daughter then texted back to me while I was still at the Stadium, "She enjoyed the photos."

It has almost been a week since attending our Bowl Game and I finally had a chance to see it as recorded on the DVR. I was surprised to see very few crowd shots of Purple fans in the stands . One that stood out was just after the interception as the first quarter was coming to a close.

So to remedy the situation, here are a few of my own shots of Wildcat Fans in the Stands starting off with NoChores and BosCat who were seated behind me. I have even included a TV Screenshot of the aforementioned broadcast view that was texted to me during the game in which he circled the finding of me with camera in hand.

At the end is a shot of Wildcat Willie and the Northwestern Cheerleaders looking up to the Purple Contingent.

Here are our takeaways from tonight’s win, including remarks from Chris Collins on the passing of former DePaul head coach and Northwestern broadcaster Joey Meyer.

Something to whet your appetite for 2024.....

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Cats Utah leads the way with 3.09M viewers thru the first two weeks of bowl season (basically including games thru Christmas). I’m sure that will get surpassed by multiple this week and all the NYD games, but still a pretty solid ratings outcome.

Maybe someone else can embed the chart from the article for bowl week 2, I’m on phone right now. Highest of the first week of bowl season was the UCLA game with 2.38M. So we are comfortably ahead.

We benefited from the ABC viewing window, but still was up over 25% from last year’s Las Vegas Bowl, granted that was earlier start time. We were up against an NFL game on the day (Bills), but that was on Peacock which may mitigate that a bit.

And we won. Good for any recruits that watched and for our TV numbers in conference discussions down the road…

Go Cats

Under 4 min left with McNeese State (Lake Charles LA) Cowboys leading mighty Michigan by 10 points. Hope they can hold on. The Wolverine broadcasters sound as if they're covering a funeral.

Our three grandchildren are all McNeese grads, so I can't help feeling much satisfaction.

Cool

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What do people think the worst case is assuming we keep losing key players and don't bring in Replacements from the portal including quarterback. Could we get back to just winning one or two games given how difficult schedule is? On a best case basis assuming we keep our remaining key players and bring in a couple of Oline and a quarterback could we get back to a bowl game?

How in the hell did he ever get to be a B1G OC in the first place. He doesn't call a vertical pass when Ute-Ugh D lines-up 8 in the box. Then when the 'Cats have a 4th & goal at the half yard line, calls an over-the-top pass to a blanketed, well-covered TE. This Hoe-Joe hasn't a clue regarding what play to call given the situation at hand. Dave B... Time to start calling your own plays - NOW!!!

Just saw the Holiday Bowl battle of the bands on tv between USC and Louisville in the Gaslamp Quarter downtown San Diego. The Holiday Bowl is now played at Petco Park. The Padres spent around $2M to reconfigure the ballpark to host the event. I’m bringing this up for a couple of reasons. The new venue downtown in the Gaslamp Quarter at Petco is a much better experience than the old Qualcomm Stadium in our game there in 2018. Downtown hotels and even staying in Coronado will be a better tourist experience than staying in Mission Valley.

With the demise of the PAC12 it is likely that the BigTen will return as the replacement for the PAC12 participant slot. I’m hoping the Cats will return to this bowl game at this new improved venue. And no, I don’t want to see a rematch with Utah! 😂
(Based on what I observed on tv tonight, a rematch with USC would be fun!)

Anyone know of any good heart surgeons practicing in FL?

Merde

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Thought the ABC guys had a very interesting convo about Fitz near the end of the first half when we were driving for the field goal attempt. Said they reached out to him and he conveyed his pride in the players but couldn’t comment more because of pending litigation. Also said “everyone” they spoke to thought the hazing allegations were hogwash, including an assistant coach who called them “made up” and said NU has the best culture he’s ever been part of. Also of note, Braun said he talks to Fitz occasionally but not frequently, as it’s an “awkward situation.”

The biggest item of interest for ESPN was the Minnesota QB's fiance. Understandable. Very cute.

These announcers were the C team, particularly compared to the team the other night for the NU game.

Only allegations but he turned himself in and is suspended indefinitely including 1/2 v NU

I hope the allegations aren’t true

He will be starting a gamee vs the Cleveland Browns. I like Flaaco, but I would love to see TS get a win.

Rutgers just scored a TD with the Tush Push play. I guess it is legal, but it seems like that is bending the rules.

I think many of us are still in a daze (happily so) over the tremendous season, 8-5 with a bowl win over a solid (if not somewhat depleted) PAC12 opponent. How could this happen coming off the summer hurricane that nearly blew up the program? How did the coaches and players manage to turn things around in a single season after 2 losing seasons? I think having a solid qb who could pass and connect with receivers who could get separation and catch was plus. The defensive turnaround was huge and the defense’s ability to create turnovers was impressive. We were just so much more effective on defense this year and we scored enough to win close games behind our defensive efforts.

Maybe the most important factor was the coaching change that brought Braun into leadership that the players and staff bought into. I just don’t think that Fitz would have been as successful this year. Braun seems to have pumped new energetic leadership into the program that had been fading under Fitz and his long-term contract. NU was fortunate that this change brought about an unexpected level of success fueled by the vigor of players and staff who were unrelenting in achieving what few thought could happen based on recent history. Congrats again to the Cats for an incredible year!

Assuming they have correct sources??

Per his instagram he will be back for another year!!

It was easy to be patient during the season. Team was winning, no real decisions except HC. Now there are a lot of pending announcements and it's tiresome. 1. Post below - when do we find out about coaching staff. 2. What players will return? Or,.here's an easy one: 3. WHERE TF ARE WE PLAYING NEXT YEAR??

The offseason is here and @mikefitz77 has three things we learned, two questions we're asking and one bold prediction after the Las Vegas Bowl.