We should be contacting any all conference players from these leagues that could potentially qualify, especially O-line. Regardless of who is our QB if they don't have time we are going to have a repeat of last year.

In the last couple years I brought him to two IL (he is an IL fan but a BB fan first) games and the two Purdue games. All were Cat wins and three went to OT. He considers them some of the best BB games he has seen

Oregon:
- what a difference a QB makes.
- so fast. Their RBs and WRs just looked much faster than PSU who surely has well above average speed

PSU: actually competed much better than I thought they would based on Franklin history. Very good game.

SMU Clemson game was also outstanding, too bad SMU flubbed it away by not covering well on the kickoff. They should’ve gone for 2.

Probably the most impressive number from the box score is our 4 turnovers in 45 minutes. This Illinois team is not crazily athletic, but they are long, disciplined and physical. 4 turnovers is an amazing effort.

We shot 19% from 3 (4-21). There were enough open looks. Berry had a bagel (0 points). When CCC says he has a “midrange” team, then he is either saying we are capable of shooting much better, or he’s being really nice to Matt and Luke.

Leach’s game is emerging. I will take him shooting pull-up jumpers off screens all day. He has a very consistent stroke.

Nicholson was brilliant last night. He’s obviously healed, because he’s moving better than ever. I have learned to laugh at his offensive shortcomings, and love his defense. And the bloody elbow was awesome.

Illinois has two very good freshmen in Jacucionis (duh) and Will Riley. The latter is raw, but he was the most athletic guy on the court. How does underwood find great players in Lithuania?

Martinelli’s matchup mystifier manifested itself last night. He has a surprisingly quick jab step that he can use facing a defender, or he can bully ball you with a wide shoulder. They attacked Jacucionis with a vengeance in OT last night, forcing him to switch from Leach to Martinelli, where Nick backed him down like Uber backs up his Toyota in the east lot. I think they ran it 4 straight times in OT. Martinelli scored 7 of our 14 points in OT.

It’s not nice to pick on freshmen like that, but credit to CCC for riding that horse. we scored 14 points in 5 minutes after grinding out 56 in the first 40.

At 10:11 in the second half, Illinois went up 46-36. We went on a 20-10 run to finish the half. IIRC, Mullins was given the task of guarding Jacucionis around the time the run began. PWB will probably have more detail on that.

The most disappointing part of the game last night was the half court shot event at halftime. That poor guy could barely get the ball into the paint. Northwestern kids are not known for their athleticism, but that was pretty bad.

This is your guy at QB. Think Dylan Gabriel last season. He’s gonna go fast so you’re gonna have to move on it now. send the corporate jet and get him to Evanston. Cats will be competitive in Big Ten overnight. Pay the money get the guy. Let’s go.!!

Sounds like things aren’t all roses at Stanford. Troy Taylor is getting heat for firing defensive coach Mark D’Onfrio and bringing the HC at Sacramento State Andy Thompson as co-defensive coordinator.

Fans are complaining that the issues have been on offense (not defense); Taylor hasn’t made changes of offense as of yet - he continues to serve as (get this) - HC, OC and QB coach.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Just thought it worthy of its own thread given the week's developments.

The Army OL look like they come out of a mold. All 300 plus with guns. They must sit around all day pounding iron on the taxpayers nickel. OK with me but it makes you wonder how they find these two star gems.

Although I only half-watched the game, I don't recall Quinn Ewers making any throws with heat on them. Maybe one. The guy dinked and dunked and threw 25 yard floaters all game long. I hadn't watched a Texas game this Fall but my understanding is that this guy is an elite talent. What's the story? Georgia DBs that good?

@lou v breaks down David Braun's Signing Day comments and the context of Northwestern's NIL and transfer portal future.

At long last...

Login to view embedded media

It has been a tough year, huh Cats fans? Personally, professionally, and ESPECIALLY on the football field. The Lujan Leash had better be short for Coach Braun right now.

I LOVE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND! 💪 🇺🇸

I wish I had @Alaskawildkat ‘s photo sharing abilities. I’m watching the Big 12 championship while my baby mama & kids run errands, my dog sits in the yard, and I do work on my laptop. Like the nonbinary man I am! 🧠

Right now: I just want my brain to shut down and watch some dumb dumb college football on ABC. 🏈

I’m probably going to cheer for Iowa State because of the ancient Lou Ayeni connection. I also think people who willingly live in Arizona are insane. I love the snow outside here in New Jersey, but that’s just me. ❄️

Arizona State is up 3-0, but Iowa State is driving. So far this game is fun.

I wish we had a QB, OL, and system like ISU’s. It reminds me of the good old fashioned Dunbar system. Smashmouth football: a run-oriented spread system that maximizes the talent they have in Ames. ☺️

Has the Mullet been scalped??

Login to view embedded media

nfm

.

Purple suits her!

Login to view embedded media

Whenever NU loses the chirpies come out and have endless discussions about spending other people's money, whether it exists or not, on some second string QB who was a four star recruit out of high school. Then for good measure they light into the OL while in the meantime the coaching staff appears to be making every effort they can to bring in help. Always the same endless back and forth. I can't even read these threads any longer because they rehash and pulverize the same talking points. Poor Ms Haggarty (Do I have that right?) is the bane of NU's existence, etc.

Meanwhile they ignore any other questions concerning the team as to why, for example, the much vaunted running defense fell apart the last half of the season? Were any defensive tackles such as Mr Bastone tackling anyone? Was anyone playing through an injury? Did opposing teams figure out what works, etc. My way of asking can we get a few other football thoughts than the standard fare from the doom and gloom commenters that bloom like daffodils when the team sucks?

After getting dominated by a hot Harvard team at home a week and a half ago, the Lady 'Cats won at Loyola in a slight upset and at home against Cornell. Despite continuing to be terrible at shooting 3s, they improved their offensive efficiency by significantly cutting down on turning the ball over and hitting the offensive glass the past two games.

The game against Loyola swung on a 17-2 run early in the 2nd half, and Taylor Williams was the MVP, with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block! A big game for Grace Sullivan too, with 15 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Caileigh Walsh continues to round back into form off the bench with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

Against Cornell, the 'Cats steadily built up to a 15 point lead, though had to withstand a 22-10 run by Cornell in the 2nd half before holding them scoreless for the final 5:40(!) of the game. Kyla Jones had a very efficient 15 points on 10 shots, along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists against no turnovers. Grace Sullivan had another big game leading all scorers with 22 points, along with 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Caroline Lau had a wild statline, with 0 points on 0-7 shooting, but had 12(!) assists against only 1 turnover, plus 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block.

Next up on Wednesday is a DePaul team that has played a brutal schedule so far and gotten rocked by it, Torvik has it as a 1-point 'Cats win. DePaul will have the best player on the court in Jorie Allen, but the rest of the team does not match up to her quality. Hoping the 'Cats can pull out a win before the first conference game of the year on Sunday.

For those living outside Chicago area you might not be aware of some of the looney toons politics going on in the south suburbs. You really can't make some of this stuff up. Last night he really put himself in the center of it. News coverage was pretty hilarious.

From our friend Paul Banks...

~20 years imo. How is this possible? Are we cursed?