Someone is doing their job well. We need to get everyone on the same page and move significantly forward when in possession of the ball!

One thing that strikes me about most of our discussion of our poor offensive performance against Rutgers is about how we view the run game because of the stats. NCAA counts sacks against rushing totals, unlike the NFL, which counts them against the passing totals. (I prefer the NFL approach, btw.) So our rushing yard total of 12 is somewhat deceiving. Below are the individual numbers for rushing.

NU - Rushing

When looking at this, it is important to note that Bryant's 5 sacks for -37 yards comes out of his (and the team's) rushing totals. So on designed runs, we gained 49 yards for the game on 17 attempts for a 2.88 ypc average. Clearly not where we need to be, but a more accurate statistic of what our run game produced.

Bryant's rush numbers then get adjusted to 3 rushes for 22 yds, for a 7.33 ypc average. Most of this was gained on that 15 yd scramble for the first down.

Some comments on looking at these numbers:
1. We didn't run the ball enough. True, playcalling might have skewed pass heavy once we were behind, but 17 true rushing attempts vs 46 pass attempts (41 attempts + 5 sacks) is not where I think we should be. My recollection is that in our first few possessions, we appeared to be very pass-heavy. I don't think Bajakian committed to the run enough throughout the game. I understand coming out in the first few plays and passing to go against what our usual tendency is and catch Rutgers off guards, but I think we needed more balance.
2. Everybody struggled to gain yards. It's easy to put blame on Porter because he was the starting RB and had the most attempts, but nobody really got going. Which means...
3. ...the lack of run success was mostly due to the OL. Advanced analytics might help in proving this point, but I think the eye-ball test confirms what the basic stats show: that none of our RBs could get much going because the OL didn't open any holes for them.

I might have more thoughts as I continue to process things, but that's what I have so far.

I saw Covey, Komo, Knox and Fussell in uniform yesterday. Anyone else?

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The first meeting from Evanston's Land Use Commission on the new Ryan Field is underway. Alex is a reporter I worked with at NU and has done a great job of following the story so far, he'll be live tweeting it tonight for Evanston RoundTable.

@gocatsgo2003 called this one.

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One of the hallmarks of the offense in recent years was the use of a 6th OL to help bolster the run game. I don’t recall seeing any of that? Did I miss it? Would have been fun to see Thompson, Knox or Herzog lining up as a TE to help open some holes. 🤷‍♂️

I talked to Devin Turner and Coach Braun about his performance at Rutgers and going forward in this profile.

I talked to Devin Turner and Coach Braun about his performance at Rutgers and going forward in this profile.

I talked to Ben Bryant this morning about how he plans to get back on track after a rocky debut against Rutgers and pick up Northwestern's first win of the season against UTEP.

I talked to Ben Bryant this morning about how he plans to get back on track after a rocky debut against Rutgers and pick up Northwestern's first win of the season against UTEP. Check out what he had to say in this WildcatReport premium story.

Good F****** luck. I sincerely hope Schill or the BOT will come to their senses. For a University of the stature of NU, this is unbearable to witness.

Well, that was ugly.

The defense at least has an identity and structure. Playing hard to the end despite being on the field all day.

The offense is just pitiful. No plan, no identity, no urgency. Unclear why we seem to have refused to run the ball until the third quarter. Just embarrassing. Bajakian should donate back his paychecks.

EDIT: Anderson should be embarrassed as well. Lotta veterans out there that look clueless. Physical mistakes are one thing, mental are another. Terrible eyes throughout the game.

DT Matt Lawson was at practice in a T shirt and knee brace. No official comment from Braun yesterday on a timetable but I wouldn’t expect him back soon.

Sullivan gets one drive, and NU scores. Does that mean he starts next week? I don't blame Bryant for this debacle. But he didn't seem to do anything to justify the starting role. I have a hard time imagining he could be that much better than Sullivan based on the performance today. Maybe Braun chose the wrong guy.

Well, that was ugly.

Trying to get something positive out of today. Haggerty looked good (Shout out to Coral.). Next?

They are licking their chops. But oftentimes, opponents find a way to blow it when they have a monkey on their back.

Utep-121
Kitty Cats-127

Should be a nail biter on Saturday!!

Check out the 3-2-1 from @lou v heading into UTEP on Saturday.

I was holding on to hope that Braun could do some magic this year and get this team to do something miraculous, but it does not appear to be the case. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he is doing a poor job given the circumstances he has to work with, but what can we reasonably expect for this season.

My position now is that I hope we can pull out wins against UTEP and Howard. Anything on top of that is a bonus for me. Otherwise, I will be there to provide support for those that are suited up to play the games.

Check out the 3-2-1 from @lou v heading into UTEP on Saturday.

It seems to me b4 we start a new head coach search we need a new AD. It would not hurt to have a new President either. Their performances have been anything but professional and have yet to see one thing from either that makes me think " oh yeah that's the guy". I am assuming it would be up to the Board of Trustees to initiate an action like this. I am also assuming that for the BOT to do so would in some ways be indicting themselves for having made bad decisions in the first place so what chance is there that this will happen? and if it will not happen, then who will be leading a search for a new coach?

It was a tough week for Northwestern but its Class of 2024 continues to start in their senior seasons. Check out how Northwestern's commits did in this week's roundup from me and @mikefitz77

We need any QB with wheels based on what I saw today. No disrespect, but Bryant is a statue.