A few random observations...

[DocCatsFan]

1: Good offensive plan. I thought McCall did a masterful job of both getting Thorson's feet wet and getting him comfortable while at the same time allowing him to go off the leash. Very nice.

2: Thorson is going to be a stud. PLEASE keep him healthy. He made some bad decisions today but I would expect nothing else from a freshman. This kid is the real deal. I think we can see how a guy like Alvitti at QB does absolutely nothing over a healthy Clayton Thorson who runs almost as well despite being 6'5 220lbs and having a cannon for an arm. He's gonna make his mistakes, but the staff made the right call. If Alvitti is going to see action it will have to be somewhere other than QB because if not that is a bad sign with respect to Clayton's health (and Zack's).

3: Justin Jackson is a stud. Amazing how "skinny" he is able to get going through holes. He was really sucking wind out there but was a warrior. He really reminds me of a weird combination of Eddie George and Walter Payton.

4: We are deep at running back.

5: Anthony Walker Jr will play in The League.

6: I'm trying to think if I've seen our D look so good since the Rose Bowl.

7: Ifeadi has gotten huge and he is a beast. Loved seeing him play so well against the school that recruited him so hard. I'm sure Ifeadi is loving his decision tonight.

8: Jack Mitchell makes me happy.

9: How could I have forgotten how good Christian Jones is?

10: Fitz still mismanages the clock. Our last drive we were constantly snapping the ball with 20 seconds left on the play clock with the game clock running. I understand "rhythm" and all that, but we gave Stanford a full 2 minutes more time than was necessary. I wish he would improve in that area.

 

[techtim72]

Other observations - punting wasn't good and kickoffs were short. Enough negative for today, however.

 

[DaCat]

High snaps.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

The only thing I disagree with is the needless slam of Alvitti. He was only a redshirt frosh last year and did not have a good grasp of the playbook. While it may be true that he only sees the field at another position, you can (deservedly) compliment Thorson without tearing Matt down in the process. The kid was named to the leadership council and (likely) is well thought of within the program.

 

[TerraCat]

Love your observations, here are a few from the cheap seats...

1. The defense is filled with playmakers: Walker, Godwin, Henry, Van Hoose, Harris, Lowry, Ifeadi...come on they are fast and intense...and talented!

2. The O-line came out with an attitude. Played well all game, but the 3rd quarter push against Standford's d-line was IMPRESSIVE.

3. Thorson limited his mistakes, but that miss in the end zone was scary. He/we dodged a bullet there! But the upside with him is very High. Four more years!

4. College football is about playing to your strengths, limiting your mistakes, and making plays. We did all three today. And seriously the talent on D is amazing. Did I mention we have a talented D!!!!

5. Where were the 70 yard punts we heard about at Kenosha?

6. I didn't see us burn Moten's shirt today. Given the talent/riches we have at running back, I hope he can keep his shirt, and we have four more years with him.

7. This team looks like what we expected in 2013 and saw in 2013 until the OSU game...keep the edge, fight the fight, and I believe in Purple!

8. That D was fun to watch!

 

[DocCatsFan]

The only thing I disagree with is the needless slam of Alvitti. He was only a redshirt frosh last year and did not have a good grasp of the playbook. While it may be true that he only sees the field at another position, you can (deservedly) compliment Thorson without tearing Matt down in the process. The kid was named to the leadership council and (likely) is well thought of within the program.

Wasn't trying to tear him down. What I did say was that I'd rather see him see the field at another position than QB. All reports from practices are that his throwing ability is far behind that of Oliver and Thorson. I think that is clear to anyone who even watches the QBs warm up before the games (I've seen that for 2 years now). The kid can run, and perhaps he runs too well to be left on the sidelines. I just don't think that AT QB he offers anything that Thorson does not.

I can't comment on his value as a team leader. His position on the leadership council obviously speaks well for him and I have no reason to doubt any of that.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Other observations - punting wasn't good and kickoffs were short. Enough negative for today, however.

Wind must have had an effect on the kickoffs...I recall one going to the back of the endzone when kicking with the wind.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

Fair enough. I just don't think we can be sure the book has been written on Matt (at QB) quite yet. He's got time to get it together and it seems to me that he's quite the competitor.

That being said, I think he's gonna have a hell of a time catching Thorson. Clayton could be really good down the road.

 

[GopherMD]

I agree-the clock management was frustrating. NU could have run off a a lot more time if they hike the ball with 5 secs left on the play clock.

 

[Pete Purple]

No turnovers by Thorson either. Wait, did we have any turnovers? Aside from the high snaps that kept coming the team took care of the ball.

 

[SmellyCat]

No turnovers.

One more observation:

Cats were 12-for-22 on third downs. Stanford was 3-for-15.

 

[techtim72]

I may have it wrong, but I tried to take into account the direction. I remember the Stanford kicker booming one kick in the same direction that NU was kicking short on. There was one NU kick that was driven low that went into the middle half of the end zone.

 

[KnottSlim]

On the plus side, this team looks like it spent a lot of time in the weight room. I thought the 'Cats looked much bigger physically than last year. On the downside, we need a punter.

 

[NorCalCat]

I'm not understanding the issues some of you are having with the punter. Niswander averaged 38.8 yards per kick despite the winds and some terrible spots by the refs on kicks going out of bounds -- and Stanford only returned one punt, for a loss of 8 yards. Sounds like great punting to me.

 

[KramerCat91]

I'm not understanding the issues some of you are having with the punter. Niswander averaged 38.8 yards per kick despite the winds and some terrible spots by the refs on kicks going out of bounds -- and Stanford only returned one punt, for a loss of 8 yards. Sounds like great punting to me.

The stats weren't too bad for Niswander, but Stanford's punter seemed much better. It was curious how Stanford was kicking away from our punt returner.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I'm about to watch the game on TiVo, but the oline must have been quite good today in run blocking given that Thorsen was not much of a passing threat in his first start.

 

[PURPLE Book Cat]

10: Fitz still mismanages the clock. Our last drive we were constantly snapping the ball with 20 seconds left on the play clock with the game clock running. I understand "rhythm" and all that, but we gave Stanford a full 2 minutes more time than was necessary. I wish he would improve in that area.

I thought the same thing, but the SEC friends I watched the game with astutely pointed out that slowing down the game too much can mess with rhythm. Thorson has that mojo man. Let him roll with it.

 

[Catreporter]

The stats weren't too bad for Niswander, but Stanford's punter seemed much better. It was curious how Stanford was kicking away from our punt returner.

McCaffrey is a dangerous kick returner and he plays very deep so I believe that the staff may have told him not to outkick the coverage. Maybe we'll see him air it out later in the month (although I'm hoping we don't have to punt too much in the next three games)

 

[willycat]

Wind must have had an effect on the kickoffs...I recall one going to the back of the endzone when kicking with the wind.

Wrong guy kicking off. It should have remained Mitchell.

 

[StreamCat]

Wrong guy kicking off. It should have remained Mitchell.

How were Mitchell's kickoffs at camp this year? Oh, that's right. You don't know.

 

[willycat]

How were Mitchell's kickoffs at camp this year? Oh, that's right. You don't know.

Do you? I do know that he consistently kicked off into the end zone last season.

 

[RevCat]

High snaps.

And wide snaps. The center snaps were awful this week. Just awful. Almost self destructive, Mackey Sasser, Steve Sax awful. Here's to hoping they get worked out.

 

[RevCat]

On the plus side, this team looks like it spent a lot of time in the weight room. I thought the 'Cats looked much bigger physically than last year. On the downside, we need a punter.

The Cats were physically punishing today. Some brutal hits. And unbelievably faster.

 

[StreamCat]

Do you? I do know that he consistently kicked off into the end zone last season.

Willy, I know the kid who kicked off today and your comment makes me realize how pissed off message boards must make people who actually know these kids personally. His family was excited for him. I was excited for him. So you pissed me off because you know nothing about what went on at practice. So for Matt and his family and for me, it is my great pleasure to tell you that you don't know sh-t!

 

[Katatonic]

No turnovers.

One more observation:

Cats were 12-for-22 on third downs. Stanford was 3-for-15.

It certainly helps not facing 3rd and long all the time (notwithstanding those sweet 3rd and long conversions at the end).

Again, winning the battle in the trenches was key.

 

[Williesfan]

I don't understand why we didn't rush Stanfords punter. It was clear that they were kicking primarily out of bounds or when appropriate to the end zone or coffin corners.

 

[EvanstonCat]

I couldn't believe it when they punted from the NU 38.

 

[ToledoCat]

The Punt from the 38 ended up a toouchback... was a bad call. NU deserved the win but Stanford didn't help themselves. Holding them to a FG on the first drive after bending a bit was huge.