Is it just me, or does it seem like Bryant is the only NU quarterback for a long time who actually goes through progressions, uses his eyes to misdirect safeties, and pump fakes?

Seem like since Thorson (maybe even before Thorson) our QB's have tended to stare down one receiver and telegraph where they are going. Maybe Ramsey was better than most but it seems that our home-grown QB's never learn this aspect of the game.

Warm fuzzy feeling every time I see Bryant go to his second option, pump fake, or misdirect the defence.

For NU QB's, is this as rare as I think it is?

All seems to be lost
Beaver County Lions on prowl
both Wildcat sides growl

Yeah, I’m sure all this winning and all this free publicity is just killing their academic reputation.

/s

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Pretty funny actually

I've seen a lot of people writing on this board about what's going on with the multitude of lawsuits that have been filed against Northwestern and various individuals -- the litany of cases was cataloged in recent article here by Mike Shelton. But it didn't seem to me that anyone was speaking (or writing as it were) with any actual knowledge. So I spent a few minutes this morning on Circuit Clerk Martinez's website seeing what I could find. There is a search function for cases filed in the Law Division, so everything I post here is public information.

First a couple of basic thoughts. The cases are filed in state court, the Circuit Court of Cook County, as opposed to federal court. Had there been federal causes of action, then the actual electronically filed pleadings would be available on Pacer for all to see. The applicable period of limitations for bringing a personal injury claim in Illinois -- commonly referred to as the Statute of Limitations -- is two years from the time the cause of action accrued, which basically means when the tortious conduct took place. As others have noted in various threads, the possibility of motion practice in defending these claims is very likely. One such basis for dismissal would be based upon the putative Plaintiff's failure to comply with the applicable period of limitations. There are ways that creative lawyers can attempt to work around statutes of limitations based upon "tolling," but based upon my brief searches on-line, it would appear that Lloyd Yates attended NU until 2015, that Ramon Diaz last attended NU in '08, that Warren Long last attended NU in '18, and that Tom Carnifax last attended NU in '19. Each of these individuals -- or, rather their lawyers -- will have to do some serious tap dancing to even get to the point where the defendants will be required to respond to their lawsuits on the merits. And none of that will occur any time soon, since at this point there is no proof of service of any summons issued in any of these cases which has been filed and shows up on the Clerk's computer system.

Unlike in federal court, where a Plaintiff can simply mail a copy of his lawsuit to the Defendant(s) along with a request for a waiver of summons, in the state court system the case doesn't even get started until the defendant is served (basically, handed) a copy of the Complaint. Once the Defendant gets served, the clock starts ticking for the Defendant to appear (usually through counsel, which will undoubtedly be the case here) and file a "responsive pleading." That will usually be either an answer or a motion to dismiss (see statute of limitations discussion, above).

Second, I've seen various people -- hopefully non-lawyers because this is basic litigation practice -- on this Board writing that these cases are in the "discovery" phase of the litigation. They are NOT. No written discovery requests have been propounded by any of the lawyers for the Plaintiffs at this stage of the proceedings (at least they haven't filed proofs of service for such discovery requests which they are required to do), and it is doubtful that the discovery process will even start for a couple more months at the earliest.

As for the lawsuits themselves, as of this morning, here is the status;

John Doe 1 vs. NU, Schill, Morty, Trustees (in official capacity only), Gragg, and Fitz [23 L7098] was filed on July 18. An order was entered (on all of the John Doe cases!) allowing the Plaintiff to proceed with a fictitious name. On 8/11 summonses were issued by the Clerk, tho interestingly the on-line listing does not reflect that JD 1's lawyers even took out a summons for Fitz. In fact, I did not see a summons for Fitz on the Clerk's docket in any of the cases in which he is named. The case is set for an initial case management hearing on 9/21 before Judge Heneghan in Room 2202. At those hearings, the Plaintiff's lawyer will generally report on the status of service, an appearance by any served defendants, and the status of any responsive pleadings. I think that it's fair to say that no discovery will even begin prior to the initial case management conference, and if Defendants have been served and motions to dismiss are contemplated, that will generally delay the start of discovery, perhaps until those motions are resolved.

John Doe 2 v. same defendants + Phillips [23 L 7221] was filed on July 20. Again summons issued against all Defendants but Fitz on 8/11. Case management set for 9/27 in front of J. Cushing in room 2206 at the Daley Center -- a public hearing if anyone is interested.

John Doe 3 v. same Defendants [23 L7226] was also filed on July 20. Again summons issued against all Defendants but Fitz on 8/11, and case management before Judge Durkin (Rm. 2203) on 9/19.

John Doe 5 [23L7904] has its initial case mgt date on 10/11 before Judge Hannon (Room 2205)

Lloyd Yates v. Northwestern only was filed on 7/24 [23 L 7300}, and has a case mgt date of 9/26 before Judge Harris (Room 2207).

John Doe 4, naming only Northwestern [23 L 7396] was filed on July 26, and has a case mgt date of 9/27 before Judge Johnson (Room 2201).

Warren Long v. Northwestern only [23 L 7485] has a case mgt date of 9/26 before Judge Harris (Room 2207).

Ramon Diaz v. NU, Fitz and Phillips [23 L 7712] has a case mgt date of 10/5 before Judge Flanagan (Room 2210].

Tom Carnifax v. NU only was filed on 8/2 [23 L 7713] has a case mgt date of 10/5 (but my bad note taking doesn't show which Judge, so you'll have to look it up if you want to go watch the show).

I would say that it's possible that these cases could, at some point in the future, be consolidated before a single motion judge from the Law Division of the Circuit Court. My recollection is that the Judge assigned to the first filed case gets the original assignment, but each party has a right to a change of judge, so that can also result in some shifting if there is ultimately a consolidation motion filed.

Bottom line? Just because the Defendants have knowledge that they've been sued, until they get served they aren't required to do anything in response to the case. Lots of interesting issues out there that will be hashed out in the coming weeks and months (why no summons issued for Coach Fitz? do they think they can serve him thru Northwestern, his now former-employer? Will the named Defendants each be provided with their own lawyers [as in big, big $$$]? Will NU cave and write checks even if they have valid legal defenses to claims by many of these Plaintiffs? When will Webb/Sidley file for Fitz, or will that an all of these cases get settled due to NU's lack of appetite for the necessarily public litigation of these cases?). However, this is the Circuit Court of Cook County and nothing happens quickly.

I've been very impressed while doing research on Penn State this week. This is a complete team. It's not only Franklin's best team, I think it may be the best in Happy Valley since 1994 -- they may not be as explosive, but this team's defense is way better than that one’s.

So here are three things NU has to do tomorrow:

1. Start fast. Northwestern has gotten off to a slow start in all four games. They were down 17-0 to Rutgers and Duke, 21-0 last week vs. Minnesota, and even against UTEP it was tied 7-7 at the half. They can't afford to do that against Penn State. Do that tomorrow and they'll be down 42-0 by halftime.

2. Protect Bryant. I don't think NU is going to be able to run the ball effectively against PSU -- they just have to do enough to keep that DL honest. Throwing the ball is probably their best chance at success -- hopefully, Bajakian saw that last week. Penn State has 13 sacks, second-most in the B1G, and they're spread out among 11 players. They've got some dudes up there, so NU's OL has its work cut out for it. They will have to play their best and NU may have to max-protect a lot, keeping TEs and backs in to block.

3. Stop the run. NU has to sell out on containing Allen and Singleton to make Allar beat them. That may not seem smart because Allar has been money this season, but if PSU has one weakness is that their WRs don't scare you. They don't have a gamebreaker on the outside like a Dotson or Hamilton. I would add NU has to win the turnover battle, but it's not going to be easy: Penn State has yet to turn the ball over once this season. That's astounding.

Per our friend Darren Rovell, Charlie Mangieri made a “5-1-💜” gesture in the end zone after his game-winning catch. Looking forward to the Derrick Gragg statement calling the gesture tone-deaf, offensive, and inappropriate.


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When homecoming is against Howard?

I can't stand PJ Fleck. Showboating windbag. But watch his remarks this week after the loss to NU. Have you ever heard Fitz go into this kind of detail about crucial plays, his thought process, etc. I was admittedly impressed. Might even want to play for the guy.

…maybe?!?!!

The Wildcats have their toughest test of the season this Saturday when they host No. 6 Penn State. Here are our predictions for how the Wildcats fare against the unbeaten Nittany Lions.

The Wildcats have their toughest test of the season this Saturday when they host No. 6 Penn State. Here are our predictions for how the Wildcats fare against the unbeaten Nittany Lions.

I went to respond to the Charlie-Tone deaf thread and poof it is closed!

What is going on around here? Are we now subjected to your arbitrary determination of when a thread has run its course? Is it de facto censorship like the taboo subject of Carl Richardson? Is it only okay to beat the dead horse on subjects that align with the opinions of those that control the board?

C’mon Coach, we’ve had multiple people ask for some leeway in expression of opinions. You seem to be going in the opposite direction! We all aren’t going to think alike. The difference of opinion are significant, but for the most part those differences have not resulted in ugly name calling. We pay to be part of this community. is there something in the rules that has been violated. Being a cop that gives speeding tickets for going 57 in a 55 mph zone is going to keep you very busy. Pretty soon a lot of people may elect to take the bus.

If they change out the Linebackers to Soares and Brus and play Saka, Northwestern pulls off the big upset !!

@lou v talked to HappyValleyInsider.com's Marty Leap to get the scoop on No. 6 Penn State before the Nittany Lions come to town on Saturday.

@lou v talked to HappyValleyInsider.com's Marty Leap to get the scoop on No. 6 Penn State before the Nittany Lions come to town on Saturday.

Forgive me if anyone already posted a link to this video. Great video. Love how Braun works with the team.

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Luke Donald is looking good. Trim and Happy. He certainly is making good choices at Marco Simone in 🇮🇹.

And the 🇺🇸🏌️‍♂️ is playing like 💩💩💩

First win of the year is against a ranked team.

1-2 so far.

Some great content here from NU. Love to hear Bryant crediting Jake for some of his play calls. Nice to see the protection hold up and our guys execute!

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Captain Luke Donald will use all 12 players on Friday Foursomes. Matt Fitzpatrick will be paired with Justin Rose in the afternoon.

Why is Bajakian now calling aggressive passing plays? Where has this play calling been? What changed? Did Bajakian not call these plays int he past because he didn't have confidence the players could execute? Or was he calling these plays and the players couldn't execute? Or did Braun force Bajakian to change the play calling?

2026 QB Owen Lansu was at Northwestern for its dramatic overtime win over Minnesota. I talked to Downers Grove North's sophomore signal caller about his visit, his future and where NU fits into his recruiting picture early on.