And Illinois won 41-22. They get the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. They get to go to a Jan. 1 bowl game. The Cats get to ... go home.
Well, in all probability. After the game, NU was realistic about their bowl chances and how disappointing a 6-6 finish really was. Well, except Fitzgerald. He wouldn't even admit NU was out of the running for the bowls.
Oh, well. There's always next year. And with the Big Ten as pathetic as it is, a sea change next season wouldn't be out of the question.
Bye all. Hope all 10 of you enjoyed my blogging throughout the year.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
4th and 13
NU going for it. Own 46.
Incomplete. We're going down to the field. No Detroit. No Tempe. No nothing.
Incomplete. We're going down to the field. No Detroit. No Tempe. No nothing.
Eesh
SENIOR CAPTAIN Reggie McPherson makes the most blatant pass interference ever (following Dixon's gaffe ... also a senior) on Cumberland. On a ball that was well behind Cumberland. On a ball that McPherson was probably in a better position to catch.
Then the Illini get back to the business of running the ball.
3rd and 6 at the NU 10.
Williams misses a wide open receiver high.
Reda on to kick the 27-yard field goal. 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:06.
Illinois 38, NU 14.
9:35 to go.
Then the Illini get back to the business of running the ball.
3rd and 6 at the NU 10.
Williams misses a wide open receiver high.
Reda on to kick the 27-yard field goal. 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:06.
Illinois 38, NU 14.
9:35 to go.
Dan Dixon needs more playing time
So maybe he'll know next time that when you see the name on the back of the jersey, don't hit him. Dixon makes the most blatant block in the back I've ever seen, pushing NU back to the 7. After a whimper by the offense, Demos uncorks another cannon, 56 yards and downed at the Illinois 32.
Illinois 35, NU 14.
13:41 left.
Illinois 35, NU 14.
13:41 left.
End of the Third Quarter
The Cats come up with a stop and are awaiting a punt.
NU came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Minnesota, which is 1-10 with a loss to I-AA North Dakota State, earlier in the year.
This is 21 points. This is Illinois, which is 8-3 with a win over No. 1 Ohio State.
Same diff?
Illinois 35, NU 14.
NU's last quarter this season?
NU came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Minnesota, which is 1-10 with a loss to I-AA North Dakota State, earlier in the year.
This is 21 points. This is Illinois, which is 8-3 with a win over No. 1 Ohio State.
Same diff?
Illinois 35, NU 14.
NU's last quarter this season?
They ain't no quitters
The Cats are driving, largely because of Tyrell Sutton. He has runs of 17 and 22 yards and the Cats have a 3rd and 1 at the Illinois 10.
Sutton runs for 4, 1st and Goal
Sutton runs down to the 2, 2nd and Goal
Bacher rolls, finds Jeff Yarbrough in back of end zone for a TD.
Villarreal XP. 11 plays, 87 yards, 3:13.
Illinois 35, NU 14.
2:10 to go in the third.
thumpTHUMP ... thumpTHUMP ... thumpTHUMP ...
Sutton runs for 4, 1st and Goal
Sutton runs down to the 2, 2nd and Goal
Bacher rolls, finds Jeff Yarbrough in back of end zone for a TD.
Villarreal XP. 11 plays, 87 yards, 3:13.
Illinois 35, NU 14.
2:10 to go in the third.
thumpTHUMP ... thumpTHUMP ... thumpTHUMP ...
J-U-I-C-E spells doom
Williams pitches to Mendenhall on an option and Mendenhall does the rest.
Reda XP. 14 plays, 94 yards, 6:25.
Illinois 35, NU 7.
5:23 to go in the third.
Reda XP. 14 plays, 94 yards, 6:25.
Illinois 35, NU 7.
5:23 to go in the third.
There once was a back from Skokie
That was neither slow, nor pokey.
The Cats couldn't net him, the Illini then met him,
And gave him a deal that was OK (work with me here).
Then one sunny day in November,
NU's defense he did help dismember.
He carried the ball, his name's Mendenhall,
And is having a drive to remember.
1st and Goal at the 9 for the Illini. Mendenhall has 45 yards on the drive.
The Cats couldn't net him, the Illini then met him,
And gave him a deal that was OK (work with me here).
Then one sunny day in November,
NU's defense he did help dismember.
He carried the ball, his name's Mendenhall,
And is having a drive to remember.
1st and Goal at the 9 for the Illini. Mendenhall has 45 yards on the drive.
What does it say about the game when the punter is the MVP?
Demos unleashes another punt that lands inside the 10. The Illini will start at their own 6. NU needed to answer on that last drive. It did not.
Illinois 28, NU 7.
11:48 left.
Illinois 28, NU 7.
11:48 left.
Internet's back!
And the Illini scored again.
On a 4-play, 76 yard drive capped off by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Cumberland, who hauled it in with one hand, shrugged off Battle and Chaz Richart, who tackled each other, and waltzed in.
Cumberland had 5 catches for 75 yards going into the game. He has 3 for 121 today.
Illinois 28, NU 7
On a 4-play, 76 yard drive capped off by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Cumberland, who hauled it in with one hand, shrugged off Battle and Chaz Richart, who tackled each other, and waltzed in.
Cumberland had 5 catches for 75 yards going into the game. He has 3 for 121 today.
Illinois 28, NU 7
1st half recap
The Illini band is playing neutered versions of Led Zeppelin songs, so this seems as good a time as any to look at the stat sheet.
Illinois has 311 yards, or 13 more than Indiana had for the entire game last week. 172 of those are on the ground and 104 have come at the feet of one Juice Williams. The Illini offense is not complicated. Option. Draw. Option. Draw. Play action. Option. I can't for the life of me figure out why it is so effective.
Bacher is 12 of 19 for 135 yards and two interceptions, making it 12 picks in 14 quarters. That's one every 17.5 minutes of game time. Eep.
He also stands just 142 yards away from breaking Brett Basanez's record for passing yards in a season. If NU's season ends today, I give him an outside chance of getting it. If the Cats go to a bowl, he'll definitely get it. With like 25 interceptions. Eep again.
Illinois 21, NU 7. This half is for the season. The fate of these "scholar-athletes" will be decided in the next half hour on Zuppke Field (the name kind of ruins the gravitas of the situation, yeah?)
Illinois has 311 yards, or 13 more than Indiana had for the entire game last week. 172 of those are on the ground and 104 have come at the feet of one Juice Williams. The Illini offense is not complicated. Option. Draw. Option. Draw. Play action. Option. I can't for the life of me figure out why it is so effective.
Bacher is 12 of 19 for 135 yards and two interceptions, making it 12 picks in 14 quarters. That's one every 17.5 minutes of game time. Eep.
He also stands just 142 yards away from breaking Brett Basanez's record for passing yards in a season. If NU's season ends today, I give him an outside chance of getting it. If the Cats go to a bowl, he'll definitely get it. With like 25 interceptions. Eep again.
Illinois 21, NU 7. This half is for the season. The fate of these "scholar-athletes" will be decided in the next half hour on Zuppke Field (the name kind of ruins the gravitas of the situation, yeah?)
Cats driving
Sutton runs 13 yards to the 26. Then a pass interference is called on Marcus Thomas, moving the ball to the 41.
Hold the phone. 0:24 left.
Hang it up. Bacher throws another pick. Right into the breadbasket of Antonio Steele at the Illini 45.
Bacher walks gingerly off the field. It'll be a long halftime break for him.
Illinois takes it into halftime.
Illinois 21, NU 7.
Hold the phone. 0:24 left.
Hang it up. Bacher throws another pick. Right into the breadbasket of Antonio Steele at the Illini 45.
Bacher walks gingerly off the field. It'll be a long halftime break for him.
Illinois takes it into halftime.
Illinois 21, NU 7.
John Gill at home in backfield
Gill puts the pressure on Juice, which he has been doing all day. Dan Dixon tips the pass and freshman Justan Vaughn makes a HUGE pick for NU.
Cats take over at their own 13. 0:40 left.
Cats take over at their own 13. 0:40 left.
And back come the Illini
Juice is just too much. He outclasses all the Cats for 21 yards down to the NU 19.
After an incomplete pass, Williams keeps for 3 more. 3rd and 7.
After an incomplete pass, Williams keeps for 3 more. 3rd and 7.
Crucial series
And NU is making the most of it.
McManis started it off with a kickoff return to the 44. Then Bacher found Jones for 11, into Illini territory. Then Bacher and Peterman did a nice little pitch and catch for 32 yards, down to the 13.
Peterman takes an end around down to the 4. Then Sutton runs for a 1st down to the 1.
Sutton in for the score. He willed it in.
Villarreal kicks the extra point.
Illinois 21, NU 7.
6 plays, 56 yards in only 1:37. It's just that easy sometimes.
If NU wins this game, it'll be the past drive that did it. Well, not literally. 2:34 in the half.
McManis started it off with a kickoff return to the 44. Then Bacher found Jones for 11, into Illini territory. Then Bacher and Peterman did a nice little pitch and catch for 32 yards, down to the 13.
Peterman takes an end around down to the 4. Then Sutton runs for a 1st down to the 1.
Sutton in for the score. He willed it in.
Villarreal kicks the extra point.
Illinois 21, NU 7.
6 plays, 56 yards in only 1:37. It's just that easy sometimes.
If NU wins this game, it'll be the past drive that did it. Well, not literally. 2:34 in the half.
NU defense is getting gassed
The Illini are just running it down the Cats' throats.
14 plays, 13 runs, 93 yards and a 1st and Goal at the 4.
Almost 8 minutes off the clock.
Benn takes it inside the 1. 2nd and Goal.
Juice has nothing but grass in front of him. TD. Then he trucks Brad Phillips for the heck of it at the goal line.
Reda puts in the extra point.
Illinois 21, NU 0.
16 plays, 97 yards, 8:12 off the clock.
4:12 left in the half.
14 plays, 13 runs, 93 yards and a 1st and Goal at the 4.
Almost 8 minutes off the clock.
Benn takes it inside the 1. 2nd and Goal.
Juice has nothing but grass in front of him. TD. Then he trucks Brad Phillips for the heck of it at the goal line.
Reda puts in the extra point.
Illinois 21, NU 0.
16 plays, 97 yards, 8:12 off the clock.
4:12 left in the half.
How to stall a drive
Holding, No. 87, White.
Holding, No. 84, White.
Demos punts it down to the 3.
12:24 to go in the half.
Holding, No. 84, White.
Demos punts it down to the 3.
12:24 to go in the half.
NU making like the Jeffersons
And movin' on up.
It's the end of the 1st quarter and NU is driving. 2nd and 10 at the Illinois 47.
This drive has been encouraging for the Cats. Bacher found Ward for 15. Then Sutton ran for his first positive yards of the game - a 6-yard draw. Then Bacher found Peterman in the flat for 13.
Still, the yard totals are staggering.
NU: 70
Illinois: 156
Not a good precedent.
It's the end of the 1st quarter and NU is driving. 2nd and 10 at the Illinois 47.
This drive has been encouraging for the Cats. Bacher found Ward for 15. Then Sutton ran for his first positive yards of the game - a 6-yard draw. Then Bacher found Peterman in the flat for 13.
Still, the yard totals are staggering.
NU: 70
Illinois: 156
Not a good precedent.
Hark! A stop!
NU forces a punt. And Energizer bunny Eric Peterman provides some excitement, returning the ball 24 yards into Illini territory.
BUT a holding on David Oredugba moves it on back to the NU 19. Yikes.
NU ball.
1:27 to go.
BUT a holding on David Oredugba moves it on back to the NU 19. Yikes.
NU ball.
1:27 to go.
3 and outs are a bountiful commodity
NU can't do anthing again. And the rugby punt rears its ugly head. Demos line drives it 42 yards to the 20, where Illinois will start.
Blitzkrieg
The NU defense is being suffocated.
On a 3rd and 6, Williams scrambles for a first down. Then Mendenhall runs for 16. Then Williams throws it over the head of a clueless Deante Battle to Jeff Cumberland for 48 yards.
A short pass and facemask moves the ball to the 2. Williams is stopped just short of the goal line. 2nd and Goal.
This is being reviewed. Why? The ball's at the one. This will just prolong the inevitable.
Call is confirmed. Whoopity-frickin-doo.
Williams fumbles the snap and recovers at the 1. 3rd and Goal.
Williams sneaks in and the fireworks scare me again. TD Illini.
Reda adds the extra point.
Illinois 14, NU 0
5:38 to go in the 1st. Could be a long day for the Cats.
The Illini have 156 yards on 17 plays. Where I come from, that's called a whuppin'.
On a 3rd and 6, Williams scrambles for a first down. Then Mendenhall runs for 16. Then Williams throws it over the head of a clueless Deante Battle to Jeff Cumberland for 48 yards.
A short pass and facemask moves the ball to the 2. Williams is stopped just short of the goal line. 2nd and Goal.
This is being reviewed. Why? The ball's at the one. This will just prolong the inevitable.
Call is confirmed. Whoopity-frickin-doo.
Williams fumbles the snap and recovers at the 1. 3rd and Goal.
Williams sneaks in and the fireworks scare me again. TD Illini.
Reda adds the extra point.
Illinois 14, NU 0
5:38 to go in the 1st. Could be a long day for the Cats.
The Illini have 156 yards on 17 plays. Where I come from, that's called a whuppin'.
Demos eschews the rugby kick
And my sense of outrage thanks him. The Cats go 3 and out and are forced to punt. Demos lets this high, arching thing come off his foot, in a parabolic shape. It's a punt. A real one. Not the roll-out, rugby junk they pull every other week.
It goes 50 yards and Simmons makes the tackle at the Illini 16.
Illinois ball, 8:47 to go.
Saints be praised. A real punt.
It goes 50 yards and Simmons makes the tackle at the Illini 16.
Illinois ball, 8:47 to go.
Saints be praised. A real punt.
Orange Crush
Williams gets 22 yards on 2 carries. Then he shovels to Mendenhall for 6, which turns into 21 because of a really stupid late hit on Brad Phillips. At least he wasn't going for the strip.
Williams throws a ball through the uprights for an incompletion. Then Arrelious Benn runs for seven, although it should have been about 0 if not for the missed tackles.
On 3rd down, Williams finds Mendenhall with nothing but hash marks covering him and he takes it down to the 2.
Williams tries the option, but slips down at the 3. 2nd and Goal.
Williams runs the option (SHOCKER!) and pitches to Mendenhall for a really easy score.
Jason Reda adds on the extra point.
8 plays, 71 yards - Illinois 7, NU 0
10:36 to go
Williams throws a ball through the uprights for an incompletion. Then Arrelious Benn runs for seven, although it should have been about 0 if not for the missed tackles.
On 3rd down, Williams finds Mendenhall with nothing but hash marks covering him and he takes it down to the 2.
Williams tries the option, but slips down at the 3. 2nd and Goal.
Williams runs the option (SHOCKER!) and pitches to Mendenhall for a really easy score.
Jason Reda adds on the extra point.
8 plays, 71 yards - Illinois 7, NU 0
10:36 to go
Bacher thinks blue and white look alike
On a 3rd and 10, he finds the Illini's Kevin Mitchell for his 10th pick in 12 quarters (and change). Illinois takes over at its own 29 and Juice runs for 11 on the first play.
1st and 10 Illini at the 40. 12:55 to go.
1st and 10 Illini at the 40. 12:55 to go.
NU captains adept at games of chance
Seemingly for the 12th time in 12 games, NU wins the toss. It elects to receive and we're just about underway. Sherrick McManis and Stephen Simmons back to receive. SUPERback Mark Woodsum is flexing his muscles.
Kick goes out of bounds. NU gets it at the 35.
IT'S FUHBAW TIME!!!!!
Kick goes out of bounds. NU gets it at the 35.
IT'S FUHBAW TIME!!!!!
10 minutes to kickoff
Predictions:
David: NU 28, Illinois 24 - Illini overlook Cats and fall at home. Juice goes 5 of 100 passing, but still rushes for 120 yards. Not enough. Adam Kadela registers 39 tackles and a key pick to preserve a fourth-quarter lead.
Chris: NU 31, Illinois 24 - As it has most of the season, offense trumps defense. NU gets the classic meltdown victory from Illinois.
Matt: Illinois 31, NU 28 - Illinois lets down ... but not enough. Too many interceptions by C.J. Bacher spoil the Cats' bowl hopes.
The Illini seniors are being introduced. I thought that was just an NU tradition!!!!!
The applause for senior linebacker J Leman is deafening. Leman leads the Illini in tackles, with 114. Something tells me the words "applause" and "J Leman" won't be strangers to each other during this game. The equipment managers might have to wash Tyrell Sutton's jersey a couple of extra times after the game to get the imprint of Leman's "47" out of it.
Illinois is already leading NU in syllables, thanks to the efforts of individuals like starting tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.
David: NU 28, Illinois 24 - Illini overlook Cats and fall at home. Juice goes 5 of 100 passing, but still rushes for 120 yards. Not enough. Adam Kadela registers 39 tackles and a key pick to preserve a fourth-quarter lead.
Chris: NU 31, Illinois 24 - As it has most of the season, offense trumps defense. NU gets the classic meltdown victory from Illinois.
Matt: Illinois 31, NU 28 - Illinois lets down ... but not enough. Too many interceptions by C.J. Bacher spoil the Cats' bowl hopes.
The Illini seniors are being introduced. I thought that was just an NU tradition!!!!!
The applause for senior linebacker J Leman is deafening. Leman leads the Illini in tackles, with 114. Something tells me the words "applause" and "J Leman" won't be strangers to each other during this game. The equipment managers might have to wash Tyrell Sutton's jersey a couple of extra times after the game to get the imprint of Leman's "47" out of it.
Illinois is already leading NU in syllables, thanks to the efforts of individuals like starting tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.
I Can Haz Football Blog???
Hello and welcome one and all to pre-game at Northwestern against Illinois. My last football game (unless the Cats go to a bowl ... fingers crossed) and the last football game ever for the Memorial Stadium Honorary Ang Lee Press Box. I totally made the name up, but interesting Illini alumnus, no?
I get the distinct feeling that I've been transported to the mid-1990s. Not only is this Illinois-NU tilt actually a meaningful game for the first time in a while, but the songs wafting over the P.A. system are less the Soulja Boys and Frays of today, but the R.E.M.s and Spin Doctors of mid-90s, university alt-rock.
In football news, a win and NU all but has a bowl bid locked up. A loss and, well, a .500 record sure looks nice to recruits? The Illini are still in the clouds after the win over Ohio State, and they could have their minds on Florida bowl destinations instead of playing this wildly erratic Wildcat team on a day that can only be described as having all the trappings of, in coach Fitzgerald's words, "Big Ten football weather."
Sit back, relax and enjoy the blogging. All 13 of you (and that's a generous estimate.)
I may not have Microsoft Paint to enhance my efforts today (like a certain other outlet did for a certain other sport), but I feel confident my words can paint an adequate picture. I am a writer after all.
It's what we're supposed to do.
I get the distinct feeling that I've been transported to the mid-1990s. Not only is this Illinois-NU tilt actually a meaningful game for the first time in a while, but the songs wafting over the P.A. system are less the Soulja Boys and Frays of today, but the R.E.M.s and Spin Doctors of mid-90s, university alt-rock.
In football news, a win and NU all but has a bowl bid locked up. A loss and, well, a .500 record sure looks nice to recruits? The Illini are still in the clouds after the win over Ohio State, and they could have their minds on Florida bowl destinations instead of playing this wildly erratic Wildcat team on a day that can only be described as having all the trappings of, in coach Fitzgerald's words, "Big Ten football weather."
Sit back, relax and enjoy the blogging. All 13 of you (and that's a generous estimate.)
I may not have Microsoft Paint to enhance my efforts today (like a certain other outlet did for a certain other sport), but I feel confident my words can paint an adequate picture. I am a writer after all.
It's what we're supposed to do.
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