Last drive

Iowa kicks it out of bounds, so NU starts at the 35. Sutton runs for 9. Then Bacher air mails one to Iowa's Mike Klinkenborg. But he drops it. Sutton runs for 18, down to the Iowa 38 with :16 to go. NU has 2 timeouts.

Bacher to Ward for 6. 2nd and 4 at the 32. :13 left.

Bacher for Thompson, knocked away by Fletcher, but he's been called for pass interference. 1st and 10 at the 17. 0:08 to go.

Bacher throws to Tonjua Jones, but it's a little too long. 34-yard field goal attempt by Villarreal is blocked.

At the half, it's NU 14, Iowa 7.

Unbelieveable.

Throw out the stat sheet

Iowa is driving. They've gone 40 yards on 6 plays and have a 3rd and 8 at the NU 20. Christensen keeps throwing to a guy with a long name (Derrell Johnson-Koulianos) and my fingers are starting to hurt. Christensen goes up top to Stross, over McManis' head. Iowa, despite being horribly outplayed in all aspects of this game, are within a touchdown.

NU 14, Iowa 7 - :49 left

Up against it

NU 3 and outs and has to punt from its own 5. Demos does that rugby thing I hate so much and it works out, further raising my bile level. It goes 55 yards and is downed at the Iowa 40.

Just when Christensen puts it on the money

His receiver drops it. 3rd and 10 becomes 4th and 10. But Iowa's punter is running for president, evidently, because he downs the ball at the 3.

NU 14, Iowa 0. 4:05 left in the half.

Rollin, rollin, rollin

Ride 'em in rawhide. The Cats are slowly punishing the Iowa defense again. 10 plays, 48 yards. But it's getting dicey, because NU has a 4th and 10 on the Iowa 32. Field goal? Pooch punt? Going for it? We shall see.

Field goal it is. From 49 yards. And Iowa calls a timeout to ice Amado Villarreal.

He missed. Short. Iowa ball at the 32. 6:23 to go in the half.

Iow's biggest play

Is a 15 yard roughing the kicker on a punt to give it a first down at the 31. First 1st down on the game. 15 penalty yards as opposed to 10 of offense.

Matt was right

Or approximately so.

NU 11:15, Iowa 3:45