Back in Evanston tonight for the football game versus Dook.

The scoop on Wright was he's fast but inaccurate. Our coaches knew this and more when after watching a ton of film from his play at Vandy and MSU tendered the invite. Inspite of his shortcomings he beat Hydroxide and was on the brink of an overtime win against Duke when Lujan ran a brain dead play on 3rd and one. Wright also didn't miss a FG which would have won it in regulation.. I hope the coaches are sitting him as an object lesson in valuing the ball with the intention of starting again especially if Lausch falters today.

I didn't watch Indiana's game against UCLA, but I did watch the UCLA game a week earlier against Hawaii and UCLA is a bad team right now. So my advice is the jury is still out on Indiana. Indiana did make a very smart decision, however, on getting Rourke who is an experienced, competent QB.

@mikefitz77 has three things we learning, two questions we're asking and one bold prediction heading into Washington week.

What are the options for tailgating at the lakeside stadium? I will have a group of IU fans likely 2-3 cars? Thanks

@mikefitz77 has three things we learning, two questions we're asking and one bold prediction heading into Washington week.

Out for the season. Dang.

Keeler, Knox and Bastone out tonight. Saka and Cameron questionable.

Northwestern (1-1) hosts Eastern Illinois (1-1) tonight at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The game will kick off at 6:40 pm per the stadium clock and will air on BTN.

Here is my analysis of the PFF snap count stats from Saturday's 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois.

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Thought some might find this interesting, seems to be updated as the season goes on (for example Lausch is listed as first string QB now, it shows us having a 2-1 record, etc.). It does still list old Ryan field as our stadium, though.

Go Cats!

NU only reports on his senior year stats in the bio. Did Lausch play quarterback at Brother Rice before his final season?

Lausch was a nationally-rated baseball player. And to reach that level of recognition (and to have a Perfect Game ranking), he was definitely spending time in travel baseball and at scouting showcases, etc.

I think it’s very unlikely that Lausch has played as much quarterback as most D1 quarterbacks have played. I don’t know this, which is why I’m asking, but I doubt he spent a lot of time in passing leagues or at football combines or camps.

This is perhaps another reason that Lausch is similar to Kafka. Kafka got his ‘athlete’ offer at NU based on his performance at camp before his senior year. He had been a WR, because St. Rita had an ‘always start a senior QB policy’. So he wowed NU staff with his athleticism and got the offer.

Kafka, of course, was totally unready to play quarterback when he arrived at NU. He played badly until Bacher was ready, then sat for two seasons, then had one of the great years in NU history.

Basically, Lausch looked pretty good. Maybe he’ll be really good. (Maybe EIU just sucks. But 30 points is an accomplishment.)

First off, thanks to the Cats board member who hooked me up with tickets in my first trip to Evanston in years, and second don’t think this sentiment refers to anybody here, one of the few places where actual serious football fans congregate. It was good to sit with a few really hardcore and knowledgeable Cats fans amidst the generally apathetic crowd.

Having not been to a game in Evanston in years, is built up plenty of denial about our fan base but was reminded in no uncertain terms how lousy a lot of our fans are. The south end zone totally emptied out during a halftime misting in a close game under the lights. Late and in OT when we had the opposing offense nearby I was absolutely begging the remaining crowd around me to stand up, make some noise, do ANYTHING, and only got looks of confusion as to why we’d want to stand up and make noise during the key moments in the game. This wasn’t just from the older, disinterested rich fans, but plenty of very young fans as well.

It’s… pretty depressing.

They need two more. Who ya got??

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MORE PFF: Sunday Duke PFF Analysis

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I thought it was scheduled for 9PM start and that it would be a really late night and now I see 6:30PM. Just wondering as I see WIS/Alabama has a really late start. (looks like that might be a replay)

Bama is beating up on the Badgers 35-10 with around a dozen minutes left in Madison. Bama has broken off some big chunk plays and Wisconsin’s starting qb is out with a knee injury. Bama looks impressive making Wisconsin appear mediocre at their home field.

Gee, I wonder if Kelly screamed at him until he was red faced on the sideline. @Eurocat?

Fun game to be at, and a bunch of random observations

-Lausch was visibly nervous before the game. Not surprising at all, and I think explains the slow start

-stadium was maybe 60% full at kickoff and close to 100% midway through first quarter. Decent student section for no classes yet

-Covey was introduced as a starter but I don’t think I saw him out there. I thought I saw him in warm ups; maybe he got hurt very early and I missed it

-Reg F got some snaps at WR today. He looks athletic, there’s a bounce/spring in his step when he runs

-on that note, there is a big drop off between Porter and the other backs. He’s noticeably more athletic

-Lausch looked way more confident after that end of Just-before-halftime drive. I think that set up the second half

-NU has their first multi-year starter at QB since Thorson. Nearly 300 yards today for Lausch

Here are my takeaways from Jack Lausch's debut as starting quarterback and Northwestern's 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois.

Bringing my 3 year old and have not been to a game yet this year. Was hoping for tips on parking and any other helpful tidbits that can make getting there as easy as possible.

Would Braun have made the switch to Lausch, which could bring us a higher upside, without the tough L to Duke? Braun is not the meatball Fitz was so perhaps but my hunch says he wouldn’t have. With the Lausch we saw in the second half we have a higher ceiling than anything Wright gave us.

This season is very important in terms of finishing 6-6. Our recruiting class last year could turn out to be alright and this years is better but still are not hitting on our top targets. If we have a winning year I think more kids will consider us and with Jackson being hired to help get the athletic program shaped up and hopefully increase NIL money we can hopefully be a perennial 7-5 and 8-4 program with a magical season every several years sprinkled in

First off, NU did a terrific job with the lakeside facility. Well organized and so much fun. A few points:

EIU brought some fans

Our band is very small, not sure if that is due to classes not in session yet

The food and beer options were great

I recommend parking at RF and taking the shuttle, super easy

Stopped by BAT 17 before the game, had a good time watching other games with NU fans

You can tell they have a terrific relationship. We may take our lumps this season, but get used to those two…we’re going to be riding with them the next few years.

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Here are my takeaways from Jack Lausch's debut as starting quarterback and Northwestern's 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois.