Stanford bailed Thorson out by dropping interceptions...

[GeorgiaCat]

I find it amusing that everybody talks about how Thorson made some bad throws and Stanford should have picked him off a half dozen times, but almost no one talks about the two dropped pick sixes by Anthony Walker and the questionable PI that negated an interception.

And everybody talks about Stanford dropping passes. How many did our senior Superback drop?!

At worst Thorson played Hogan even, but with the running numbers factored in, Thorson gets the edge. For a kid that hasn't played in a game in two years, he exceeded expectations. And anybody going out of their way to point out his warts should just shut it.

 

[SciCat]

I find it amusing that everybody talks about how Thorson made some bad throws and Stanford should have picked him off a half dozen times, but almost no one talks about the two dropped pick sixes by Anthony Walker and the questionable PI that negated an interception.

And everybody talks about Stanford dropping passes. How many did our senior Superback drop?!

At worst Thorson played Hogan even, but with the running numbers factored in, Thorson gets the edge. For a kid that hasn't played in a game in two years, he exceeded expectations. And anybody going out of their way to point out his warts should just shut it.

 

[SciCat]

How many pick 6's did NU drop? Al least 2.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I find it amusing that everybody talks about how Thorson made some bad throws and Stanford should have picked him off a half dozen times, but almost no one talks about the two dropped pick sixes by Anthony Walker and the questionable PI that negated an interception.

And everybody talks about Stanford dropping passes. How many did our senior Superback drop?!

At worst Thorson played Hogan even, but with the running numbers factored in, Thorson gets the edge. For a kid that hasn't played in a game in two years, he exceeded expectations. And anybody going out of their way to point out his warts should just shut it.

That interference wasn't really questionable. You can't push a guy in the middle of the chest while he tries to catch the ball.

 

[Wildcatfootball12]

http://www.insidenu.com/2014/10/6/6921629/tim-beckman-king-of-the-hypothetical-world

Let's leave the hypothetical world to Tim Beckman

 

[phatcat]

How many pick 6's did NU drop? Al least 2.

also Kyle Queiro would have been a pick 6 but not for the stylish game-ending slide

 

[NJCat83588]

also Kyle Queiro would have been a pick 6 but not for the stylish game-ending slide

Yeah, a little disappointed Pat didn't let him try to score. Would have had zero impact on the outcome of the game, and it might have been a once in a lifetime chance for the young man. Remember, Stanford went for 2 against USC in the Harbaugh years when already leading comfortably, so it isn't like scoring late is an anathema to them!

 

[SciCat]

Yeah, a little disappointed Pat didn't let him try to score. Would have had zero impact on the outcome of the game, and it might have been a once in a lifetime chance for the young man. Remember, Stanford went for 2 against USC in the Harbaugh years when already leading comfortably, so it isn't like scoring late is an anathema to them!

It has nothing to do with scoring or not. it has to do with not risking a turnover during the run back. Smart football IMO.

 

[willycat]

Yeah, a little disappointed Pat didn't let him try to score. Would have had zero impact on the outcome of the game, and it might have been a once in a lifetime chance for the young man. Remember, Stanford went for 2 against USC in the Harbaugh years when already leading comfortably, so it isn't like scoring late is an anathema to them!

Aren't you the same guy who thinks that NU should not embarrass are opponents. The smart and right thing to do on that final imterception was the slide and end the play and escentially the game. I can just hear the poste on this board if the young man had the ball stripped or dropped the ball and Stanford recovered. They would begin with what was the kid and Fitz thinking about...

 

[cat inkansas]

Yeah, a little disappointed Pat didn't let him try to score. Would have had zero impact on the outcome of the game, and it might have been a once in a lifetime chance for the young man. Remember, Stanford went for 2 against USC in the Harbaugh years when already leading comfortably, so it isn't like scoring late is an anathema to them!

I think the young man probably got more props for his heads up play than he would had he run it back.

 

[SmellyCat]

The announcers implied that if they'd gone up 23-6 Stanford would have more of a shot because at least they'd have the ball. That seemed like quite a reach.

I prefer to think of it is a combination of a smart play by Quiero and the opportunity to let Thorson kneel in the victory formation in his first game. I mean how cool is it that Thorson got to do that his first time out?

 

[NJCat83588]

The announcers implied that if they'd gone up 23-6 Stanford would have more of a shot because at least they'd have the ball. That seemed like quite a reach.

Yeah, down 3 scores with 40 seconds to go and they still have a shot............NOT.

Seriously, the announcers did make a good point when U was around the 10 yard line. They probably should have taken the field goal with a minute and change left and then gone for the on-sides kick. They needed 2 scores and time was their biggest enemy. Go for the sure FG and take their chance recovering the kick with about a minute left.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

No ones talking about the wind, but it was a good club length in golf terms difference out there! So easy to have the ball sail on you! Clayton outplayed the Stanford QB and has a major arm! Thorson is better than Hacklenburg any day of the week! We are lucky to have him

 

[d'son d]

Yeah, I agree, Kyle's end of the game slide was right on target. Since the goal is to win the game, not to score an extra and meaningless TD, when a turnover on the interception run toward the end zone had an extremely small chance of being lost (but not zero) the correct play was made. Sure it would have been nice to see the pick six, as would have Walkers two that were dropped, but they didn't happen and we still won. The W-L columns don't mention TD's or dropped passes, just the outcome. On to Eastern.

 

[FanatiCat]

That interference wasn't really questionable. You can't push a guy in the middle of the chest while he tries to catch the ball.

I agree but it was doubtful that the ball was even catchable for the WR who was interfered with - had he not interfered, we would've gotten the INT anyway.

 

[Cat In The Cradle]

Yeah, a little disappointed Pat didn't let him try to score. Would have had zero impact on the outcome of the game, and it might have been a once in a lifetime chance for the young man. Remember, Stanford went for 2 against USC in the Harbaugh years when already leading comfortably, so it isn't like scoring late is an anathema to them!

If only he had caught the ball on the opposite side of the field . . . would've been out of earshot of Fitz.

 

[Katatonic]

No ones talking about the wind, but it was a good club length in golf terms difference out there! So easy to have the ball sail on you! Clayton outplayed the Stanford QB and has a major arm! Thorson is better than Hacklenburg any day of the week! We are lucky to have him

I wouldn't go that far - don't expect Thorson to put up the nos. that Hack put up in his 1st yr (as a true frosh) as Hack coming out of a HS was the more polished passer.

Once Thorson becomes a more polished passer, he's going to be dangerous - a triple-threat QB (threat to pass in the pocket, threat to run and threat to pass on the run).

McCall really didn't move the pocket against Stanford, but even so, a comment from Thorson about needing to do a better job of staying in the pocket struck me as an indication of seeing more of a Sr. Kafka type of O (pretty much stay in the pocket w/ maybe some read-option and more bootlegs when the D gives up space).

Which would be a bit ironic considering that once McCall finally realized that he needed to move the pocket (once Siemian was apparently healthy enough to scramble and roll out) to make up for the O-line and receivers, he really took advantage of it, but now w/ a QB that is a faster runner - he might have the QB stay in the pocket if the O-line continues to show improvement.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

No complaints here. Had that pick been run in for a score it would have wrecked my pregame prediction:

↑
"NU 16
Stanford 14

In a low scoring game that includes a ..... touchdown and multiple field goals to give the Cats victory."

Post Game:
Well, at least I got Northwestern's score on the money. Credit Ubercat and Hungry Jack for being closest on Stanford's with Uber at 3 and Hungry at 1!

Alaskawildkat

 

[hdhntr1]

I agree but it was doubtful that the ball was even catchable for the WR who was interfered with - had he not interfered, we would've gotten the INT anyway.[/

The other questionable Interference against Harris definitely was.