Game Thread: Northwestern vs. No. 6 Penn State

[mshelton33]

Northwestern (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) hosts No. 6 Penn State (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at Ryan Field today at 11 a.m. Kickoff is on schedule for 11 based on the stadium clock, the game will be broadcast on BTN.

The Wildcats come into this game after an overtime win at Ryan Field over Minnesota, the Nittany Lions after a 31-0 dismantling of Iowa in Happy Valley. NU is yet to lose at Ryan Field so far this season with wins over UTEP and Minnesota, that will be put to a major test today. Penn State has won the last two games of the series, though they lead only 3-2 in the last five matchups.

 

[phatcat]

Sitting in the end zone section. Might be my first time. Go purple cats

 

[phatcat]

Olges starting?

 

[NUCat320]

GO CATS GO CATS GO

way to make the trip, phatty

 

[NUCat320]

FUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE

 

[phatcat]

Already better than iowa

 

[NUCat320]

Black jerseys, purple pants, purple helmets is *the best* NU uniform combo.

This is not up for debate.

Look great, play great. Let’s do it Cats.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Nice start causing PSU’s first turnover of the season but our O didn’t do much in the red zone. I’ll take the fg, Go Cats!

 

[phatcat]

They have a really really good defense.

 

[NUCat320]

They have a really really good defense.

Yeah, Braun is an excellent coordinator.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Nice job by our defense to hold PSU to a fg. Now our offense needs to get some momentum.

 

[corbi296]

The organization and flow of the NU defense is night and day compared to last year. Not the most physically talented and deep bunch, but they play as a cohesive unit.

 

[eddie_gocats]

Yay… surpassing my expectations after Q1! Hope 8 is ok. O needs to get going.

 

[phatcat]

Kid just won a 2 year car lease

 

[TheC]

Just can't stop their front 7.

 

[corbi296]

Bastone will be on scholarship after this game if he isn’t already.

 

[TheC]

I like when they try to throw. Not sure why they would when their running game is overpowering.

 

[BFDCat]

Defense is legit, offense...

 

[corbi296]

Defense is legit, offense...

Penn State has more high end NFL prospects than any other team in the country this year. Particularly on defense.

 

[TheC]

Their safeties are bullrushing our OL. How can that be???!!!!

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

Porter is a beast

 

[TheC]

Great, time consuming TD drive!!!!!!!!!

 

[eddie_gocats]

Great drive there… Porter CLUTCH!

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Wow. Our offense had a great drive for the td. I like what I’m seeing so far. Go Cats!

 

[phatcat]

That was a tough tough drive. Gutted it out

 

[BosCat]

Porter is a beast

Pick a Cam!

 

[TheC]

It's amazing how much better our special teams are this year. Hmmmmm.....

 

[eddie_gocats]

Luke Akers still around…

 

[TheC]

TD and then 3 and out!!!!

 

[SadCat]

If this keeps up, Braun is going to be coaching in Evanston in 2024.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Fun to see the guys playing with so much confidence. Keep it going, boys!

 

[drewjin]

If this keeps up, Braun is going to be coaching in Evanston in 2024.

If we can afford him!

 

[NUCat320]

It's amazing how much better our special teams are this year. Hmmmmm.....

Everything is better. The message was stale and the need to get better was no longer there.

There’s an energy that’s been missing.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

If I were PSU, I’d just keep running it. I think they are doing us favors by trying to pass so much. Allar has been really off.

 

[eddie_gocats]

Oh well … fun can’t last forever.

 

[bjm989]

Boy is our O line struggling against these guys.

 

[KnottSlim]

I hate to sound pessimistic, but I don't see any way the Cats stay stay in this game. Oline is just getting blown up. Defense is holding up better than I would have expected, but they're going to be on the field a long time today and will likely just be ground down.

 

[corbi296]

If I were PSU, I’d just keep running it. I think they are doing us favors by trying to pass so much. Allar has been really off.

The PSU offense picked up as soon as Allar picked up a few completions and PSU ran tempo. I hope they keep running the ball against us but I doubt they will do that.

 

[eddie_gocats]

Glad I’m watching. These Cats have heart. GO CATS!

 

[NUCat320]

I hate to sound pessimistic, but I don't see any way the Cats stay stay in this game. Oline is just getting blown up. Defense is holding up better than I would have expected, but they're going to be on the field a long time today and will likely just be ground down.

NU isn’t supposed to stay in this game. It’s the number six team in the country against a team that had won four games the prior two seasons.

This is already a nice performance, and, frankly, it will remain a nice performance even when PSU inevitably beats up NU in the second half.

NU gets the ball to start the third. Maybe just maybe we can shock the world, or at least, Big Ten football observers.