Signing Off

For the second week in a row, NU folded like a cheap table in the fourth quarter.

What mystifies me is how the team can possibly believe a four-point deficit is call for throwing the ball, down after down after down. Iowa was down by 14 at the end of the first quarter, and it didn't stop running the ball. You know why? Because you have to run the ball. Even if it's not getting you anywhere. You have to run the ball to set up the threat that you could possibly run it at some other time in the future. If you keep passing, the defense can rush four, drop seven and pound you to death. Which is what Iowa did. And Purdue.

Fitz was right to chide us about speculating on the bowls. They're not going anywhere.

Wow.

This is the worst the team has looked all year. And it comes just three quarters after the team looked like it was at its best.

4th and 20 from the 10.

2:54 left.

Iowa 28, NU 17.

Going down to the field.

Sherrick, Sherrick, Sherrick

McManis gets burned yet again on a pump fake. This time Christensen finds Johnson-Koulianos for 30 yards, down to the 10.

Sims runs it in from 8.

Murray tacks on the extra point.

Iowa 28, NU 17. 3:47 to go.

This game is following exactly the same script as last week's loss.

It's also kind of following the same script as NU's 28-27 win against Iowa two years ago. We'll see what the denouement turns out to be this time.

U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi

NU still won't run. Bacher throws incomplete to Lane. Then he throws to Sutton, who bobbles it into the hands of an Iowa defender.

1st and 10 Iowa at the NU 30.

Ineptitude abounds

Christensen finds Cleveland's ankles on 3rd down, forcing a punt. Peterman goes for the fair catch at the 19, but he gets knocked into. 15-yard penalty.

1st and 10 at the NU 34. 5:16 to go.

Stick a fork in them?

Bacher throws another pick. Why the Cats don't run the ball is beyond me.

6:50 to go.

Iowa ball at its own 46.

The Inevitable

Christensen does a pump fake. McManis bites. Christensen goes up top to Stross for 53 yards down to the NU 7.

Sims runs for 2 to the 5. 2nd and Goal.

Christensen gets 1 on the keeper. 3rd and Goal from the 4.

Christensen throws it out of end zone, but a pass interference call places it 1st and G on the 2.

Sims dives in. Murray adds the extra point.

Iowa 21, NU 17. 7:44 to go.

Gentlemen, start your engines.