Inside NU: All Posts by Andrew KatzRoll Damn 'Catshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52532/insidenu_fav.png2022-01-20T20:50:02-06:00https://www.insidenu.com/authors/andrew-katz/rss2022-01-20T20:50:02-06:002022-01-20T20:50:02-06:00Rapid Reaction: Northwestern loses a heartbreaker to Penn State, 63-59
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<figcaption>Photo via @nuwbball on Twitter.</figcaption>
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<p>A back and forth game all night ended in a brutal loss for the Wildcats. </p> <p id="PrhoDD">EVANSTON, Ill. — Following a blowout loss against <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a>, Northwestern (11-6, 3-3 B1G) came up short against Penn State (9-7, 3-3 B1G), 63-59. </p>
<p id="Mb60SB">Once again, Veronica Burton led the ‘Cats in scoring, registering 16 points on the night, while Laya Hartman also made it to the double-digit points mark in just her first career start. For Penn State, Makenna Marisa and Leilani Kapinus led the way with 20 and 15 points, respectively. </p>
<p id="noouux">The ‘Cats couldn’t get much going early on. In her first start, Hartman came out firing, taking six shots in the first quarter, while only making two — including a corner three. Burton got on the board with a tough layup in transition but the ‘Cats found themselves down 8-7 heading into the first timeout. </p>
<p id="BazdEu">After the break, Welsh-Ryan Arena was treated to a classic Burton sequence, as the senior guard hit a deep three, immediately stole it away on the other end and finished with a fast-break layup. Lauryn Satterwhite then checked in and made an immediate impact off the bench with tough defense and three assists, and the ‘Cats ended the period up 18-14 on the visitors.</p>
<p id="NgYZM4">Penn State fought back in the second quarter behind six points from Kapinus, while forward Anna Camden went 2-for-3 from three, including a triple that knotted the game at 22. The Nittany Lions employed a full-court press that led to five Wildcat turnovers in the second quarter alone and gave PSU control of the action for a short time. Finally, Jillian Brown drilled a three in response to stop the bleeding from the 12-4 Penn State run. A putback from Courtney Shaw off a missed free throw tied the score 28-28 entering the half.</p>
<p id="qE45Yq">Both offenses started the second half cold, but Northwestern jumped out to a four-point lead behind buckets from Hartman and Burton. Penn State finally got on the board halfway through the third quarter off hard drives to the rim, but the ‘Cats responded with two threes and Penn State scored eight points in the paint as both offenses heated up. </p>
<p id="QBXECg">However, Northwestern’s lead quickly slipped away as Penn State’s offense got going in a big way. The Nittany Lions got whatever they wanted and scored all of their 14 points in the last five minutes of the quarter, with the majority of them inside the paint and at the free-throw line. Burton and Marisa had 13 and 12, respectively, for their teams through three, but the ‘Cats trailed 42-41 going into the final period. </p>
<p id="Jsbb6D">Penn State started the fourth with a full-court press and the ‘Cats again coughed up two early turnovers. Trailing by three, Brown drove and kicked it to Caileigh Walsh for a big triple that tied the game at 46 with just over seven minutes to go, and moments later, Melanie Daley converted an and-one jumper to give the ‘Cats their first lead of the fourth quarter. </p>
<p id="ubLW7l">Penn State pulled ahead 52-49 with only four minutes to go after two big buckets from Ali Brigham, but after the ‘Cats forced a jump ball and Satterwhite nailed a contested three, the game was tied. A cool elbow jumper from Walsh then put the Wildcats ahead by two, 56-54, with just over two minutes left in the game. </p>
<p id="X3RJfI">However, Kelly Jekot made a circus shot and a Penn State steal turned into a Kapinus and-one layup, putting the Nittany Lions back up 57-54 with under a minute to go. Burton managed to get a steal off Kapinus, and Courtney Shaw grabbed her 13th rebound of the night and converted the putback, cutting the lead to one with 13 seconds to go. </p>
<p id="x6ANtV">The Wildcats called one last timeout after two free throws from Marisa put the ‘Cats down three once more. Burton then drew a foul on a three-point attempt with nine seconds remaining, but she was off on the first, made the second and intentionally missed the third free throw in an attempt to get another possession. Kapinus secured the rebound and Penn State and Marissa drilled two more free throws to put Penn State up four, ultimately sealing Northwestern’s fate in the loss. </p>
<p id="uvBvfE">Northwestern returns to action on Sunday when they travel to College Park to face Maryland at noon C.T.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2022/1/20/22894133/rapid-reaction-northwestern-loses-a-heartbreaker-to-penn-state-63-59Andrew Katz2021-11-12T10:44:41-06:002021-11-12T10:44:41-06:00The Wildcats are donning a traditionally unsuccessful uniform combo against the Badgers
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<p>Can the ‘Cats improve their record in these classic uniforms?</p> <p id="ItEyWB">After playing their final 2021 game at Ryan Field a week ago, the ‘Cats will travel to Camp Randall to take on Wisconsin. On Thursday, the team announced that they’re going with purple helmets, white jerseys and white pants for their meeting with the Badgers. The purple helmet is contrasted by a white ‘Block N’ logo — the same helmet Northwestern wore last week against Iowa. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming into Camp Randall looking <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoCats</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/coachfitz51?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachfitz51</a> <a href="https://t.co/WIesANhcGV">pic.twitter.com/WIesANhcGV</a></p>— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/NUFBFamily/status/1458891048667824132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2021</a>
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<p id="UNRswg"><a href="https://twitter.com/ellabrockway">According to Northwestern alum Ella Brockway</a>, Northwestern is 3-6 when wearing purple helmets with all-white uniforms. The last time the Wildcats wore this uniform combo was in the 2018 Big Ten Championship game against <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a>, but this will be the first time this helmet will be worn with a white facemask. </p>
<p id="zjmgxf">This Saturday, the ‘Cats are hoping to avoid losing their fourth consecutive Big Ten game, while the No. 18 Badgers look to win their sixth straight on their road to another West division title. Northwestern-Wisconsin kicks off at 11:00 am CT on ESPN2. </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2021/11/12/22777202/the-wildcats-are-donning-a-traditionally-unsuccessful-uniform-combo-against-the-badgersAndrew Katz2021-11-05T09:54:22-05:002021-11-05T09:54:22-05:00Why Northwestern will/won’t beat Iowa
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<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>There is a path to victory for Northwestern against their Big Ten West rival.</p> <p id="hVVfEt"><em>Northwestern takes on Iowa in Evanston on Saturday at 6 p.m CT for their third night game of the year. Iowa is coming off back-to-back losses against Purdue and Wisconsin after going 6-0 to start the season. The last time these teams met, the Wildcats walked away with a win, but the Hawkeyes have won two of the last three games they’ve played in Evanston. </em></p>
<p id="z4CWMY"><em>Despite the Wildcats’ struggles this season, the Hawkeyes’ recent slip-ups are enough to only have them favored by 12. Here are three reasons why Northwestern will knock off the No. 22 Hawkeyes and three reasons why the ‘Cats will lose their third straight.</em></p>
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<strong>Why Northwestern </strong><em><strong>will </strong></em><strong>beat Iowa</strong>
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<p id="MKuyDV"><strong>Spencer Petras</strong></p>
<p id="siDYTM">Enough said. </p>
<p id="JhgXAY">In all seriousness, Petras might be the worst Power Five quarterback the Wildcats have faced this year. In the past two games, Petras has averaged 144 yards through the air and has turned the ball over five times. He has also taken nine sacks and lost 45 yards rushing the ball. When Northwestern and Iowa met last year, Petras turned the ball over three times — including two interceptions that wound up in the hands of Brandon Joseph. Fortunately, Petras has shown hesitance to throw the ball deep, as we’ve seen ‘Cats defense has given up their fair share of big plays. Petras is a quarterback Northwestern’s defense should feel comfortable against — a good sign for Saturday. </p>
<p id="tHgqFY"><strong>The defense can turn it around</strong></p>
<p id="PDJEpP">Despite giving up a combined 74 points against Michigan and Minnesota, Northwestern’s defense has shown a few signs of life. Against the Golden Gophers, the Wildcats had a strong stand at the end of the second half that temporarily kept the game close. They have forced four turnovers in their last three games and were able to remain competitive in the first half of each game. Joseph has looked more like his 2020 self in the last two games. Against Minnesota, he had a spectacular interception to go along with seven tackles, and against Michigan, he recorded 12 tackles and a sack. Chris Bergin has been active, making 31 tackles in the last two contests. Bryce Gallagher has also been effective, recording 26 tackles. Undoubtedly, the ‘Cats have displayed signs of fatigue, as is evidenced by the fact that they’ve given up 44 second-half points in their last two losses. However, if the Northwestern offense can stay on the field long enough to give the defense a breather, the ‘Cats could slow down Iowa’s limited offense. </p>
<p id="0XfR0J"><strong>The Hawkeyes are trending down</strong></p>
<p id="9VTHng">Iowa was exposed against Purdue and Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes were creating turnovers at an unsustainable rate — forcing 19 in their first six games. In their two losses, they’ve only forced one and they have coughed up the ball eight times. The Hawkeyes allowed an average of 13 points per game during their win streak, but against Purdue and Wisconsin they gave up 24 and 27 points, respectively. </p>
<p id="EeNZsE">The slide in defensive consistency has revealed the offense’s inability to sustain long drives. Against Big Ten competition, Petras has struggled to find his targets and has consistently been sacked over three times a game. Tyler Goodson is yet to eclipse 100 yards on the ground, and Sam LaPorta is averaging under four receptions a game. Northwestern is catching the Hawkeyes at an ideal time, and they could accelerate Iowa’s free fall. </p>
<h1 id="fudiBG">
<strong>Why Northwestern </strong><em><strong>won’t</strong></em><strong> beat Iowa</strong>
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<p id="Kkscub"><strong>Iowa’s front seven</strong></p>
<p id="WTEqHP">The Hawkeyes bolster a top-twelve rushing defense that allows under 100 yards a game and under three yards per carry. Jack Campbell — Iowa’s leading tackler — and the rest of the defense have limited opponents to a .374 third-down conversion rate; Northwestern’s defense, in comparison, allows third-down conversions 45 percent of the time. Lukas Van Ness, John Waggoner and Joe Evans have combined for nine sacks and have been able to clog the middle against opposing rushing attacks.</p>
<p id="9haMpd">This spells trouble for the Wildcats. Evan Hull has been the ‘Cats’ best option offensively and is the fourth-leading rusher in the Big Ten. Hull has averaged 94 yards a game and 10.3 yards per attempt in Northwestern’s last two games. A strong performance from Hull is crucial for a Wildcats win. If Iowa is able to stifle his production, the ‘Cats will struggle to score.</p>
<p id="kO5yW7"><strong>Lack of offensive threats</strong></p>
<p id="M9ld8z">If Hull is unable to get going and Stephon Robinson Jr. is out again, the Wildcats are down their top offensive options. Iowa’s offense has been abysmal the last two weeks, but it might not matter if the ‘Cats can’t take advantage of their deficiencies. Without a reliable running game and the Wildcats’ best receiver, Mike Bajakian and Pat Fitzgerald will turn to JJ Jefferson and Malik Washington, who had one and four receptions last week, respectively. </p>
<p id="SWUTji">As we saw a week ago, the Northwestern offense can look much different with Andrew Marty at quarterback. Marty brings a dual-threat versatility that Ryan Hilinski doesn’t offer, and that mobility could open up the run game. When and how much Marty is used, however remains an unknown, and if Fitz persists and starts Hilinski, any spark in the Wildcats’ offense could be too little, too late. </p>
<p id="DUhy4H"><strong>Northwestern’s run defense</strong></p>
<p id="Pc6FuU">There are a lot of reasons Northwestern is 3-5, but the primary issue has been the Wildcats’ inability to stop the run. Among the worst in all of the FBS, the ‘Cats are giving up 229.5 rushing yards per game and 5.45 yards per carry. Last week against the Golden Gophers, Northwestern allowed 308 rushing yards, with two Minnesota rushers reaching 100 yards. Michigan found similar success, nearly rushing for 300 yards - with two players passing the century mark. </p>
<p id="yyD1zj">Gallagher, Bergin and Peter McIntyre have been the ‘Cats starting linebackers and Bergin leads the FBS in most solo tackles. However, opposing running backs have gotten past the linebackers with ease, and Brandon Joseph and Coco Azema have combined for 113 tackles — an incredibly high number for two secondary members. Even against an Iowa rushing attack that has only mustered 100 yards combined on the ground in the past two games, Northwestern’s run defense will be pivotal in deciding who comes out victorious on Saturday. </p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2021/11/5/22764758/why-northwestern-will-wont-beat-iowaAndrew Katz2021-11-01T16:45:44-05:002021-11-01T16:45:44-05:00Three things to know about Iowa
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Spencer Petras might be the weakest Power Five QB the Wildcats have faced this year.</p> <p id="DcBoLj"><em>This Saturday, the Wildcats take on Iowa at Ryan Field. After back-to-back losses, the ‘Cats will try to bounce back against the struggling Hawkeyes. Northwestern has won four of the last five matchups against Iowa - a trend they’ll look to continue. </em></p>
<h1 id="E1XKI2"><strong>Their offense has been miserable</strong></h1>
<p id="MatzIt">How bad has the Iowa offense been? It is 120th in the FBS in total offense - 19 spots below Northwestern. Yes, you read that correctly, the Hawkeyes are worse than the ‘Cats, who have been held to under 20 points three times this season. Spencer Petras is averaging 6.7 yards per completion and has been sacked three or more times in five of the Hawkeyes’ eight games. Against Wisconsin, Tyler Goodson had 27 yards on 13 carries and the Iowa offense only mustered 156 yards. </p>
<p id="FyU9on">During their winning streak, the Hawkeyes won the turnover battle consistently. But in the past two games, Iowa has given away the ball eight times, making that a much tougher task than it was previously. The ‘Cats have forced three turnovers in the past two weeks, and if they’re up to the task on Saturday, they will have the opportunity to force Petras and the rest of the Hawkeyes offense into a continuation of a trend that could doom Iowa once again. </p>
<h1 id="nEnuOC"><strong>The defense has carried the team</strong></h1>
<p id="qbHcxf">While we’re on the topic of turnovers... the Hawkeyes forced 19 of them in their first six games — the most in the FBS — and they still have a top-three scoring defense in the nation. Iowa is especially good against the run, with Jack Campbell leading the team in tackles with 64. The Hawkeyes aren’t as good against opposing passing attacks, but Riley Moss has four interceptions and has returned two of them for touchdowns. Lukas Van Ness and Joe Evans have harassed opposing quarterbacks, combining for seven sacks. </p>
<p id="4gMUBA">Collectively, the Hawkeyes allowed an average of 13 points per game during their win streak, but against Purdue and Wisconsin they’ve given up 24 and 27 points, respectively. Unable to keep up their turnover production, the Hawkeyes have had trouble getting off the field, which has become a problem given the offense’s inability to sustain long drives. Without elite defensive play, Iowa has been exposed as a pretender.</p>
<h1 id="Ldc1Jg"><strong>Pat Fitzgerald is 9-6 against the Hawkeyes</strong></h1>
<p id="CpktPE">Fitz has had success against Kirk Ferentz’s squad in the past, and after their hot 6-0 start, the Hawkeyes have looked miserable in their last two games. They’ve been outscored by a combined 37 points and have been outgained by 307 yards. </p>
<p id="EXhrBk">Ferentz has a losing record against the ‘Cats, but the last time these teams met in Evanston, Iowa handled the ‘Cats 20-0. Ferentz also holds a 168-106 record as Iowa’s head coach, including 103-77 in conference games. His 168 total wins have made him the fourth-winningest coach in the history of the Big Ten. Now, as both of their teams are in desperate need of a win, the two longest-tenured active Big Ten coaches will meet for the 16th time this Saturday. </p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2021/11/1/22756658/three-things-to-know-about-iowaAndrew Katz2021-10-18T10:30:00-05:002021-10-18T10:30:00-05:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2021-22: F Robbie Beran
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<figcaption>Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The junior forward can turn things around this season.</p> <p id="ZVRXf0"><em>Believe it or not, we’re just under a month away from basketball season.</em> <em>That’s right, both men’s and women’s basketball games are right around the corner. For our coverage of the 2021-22 coverage of the men’s team, we’re previewing each and every player on Northwestern’s roster. Up next is Robbie Beran, a sophomore junior out of Richmond, Virginia.</em></p>
<h1 id="BfA7K4"><strong>Who he is</strong></h1>
<p id="PedCM1">Junior; forward; 6-foot-9; Richmond, Virginia; attended Collegiate School in Richmond; former 247Sports four-star recruit.</p>
<h1 id="982TQL"><strong>Career Stats</strong></h1>
<p id="yfCtro">20.2 minutes per game, 5.7 points per game, 1.1 assists per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 0.4 blocks per game, 44.2 FG%, 34.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%.</p>
<h1 id="JoF3Ic"><strong>2020-21 Review</strong></h1>
<p id="koj90a">Beran’s sophomore season was underwhelming, as he saw statistical dips in rebounds and three-point percentage. Beran only averaged 2.8 rebounds a contest in 2021 after hauling in 3.4 per game as a freshman. He shot more three-pointers in the shortened season than he did as a first-year, but his conversion rate on those deep tries dropped from 40 percent to under 35 percent. Beran took more threes than twos last season, and, despite his tall frame, his lack of strength made scoring opportunities when attacking the cup hard to come by. On the occasions when Beran did make it deep into the paint, he shot 60.5% at the rim. </p>
<p id="bdVB2M">After starting 18 games in his first year as a Wildcat, Beran had a slightly-lesser 17 starts last season. His offensive role diminished in 2021, as he was involved in just 14.6% of offensive possessions — down from 16.8% — which ranked seventh on the team out of the nine-man rotation that Collins used for most of the season. </p>
<h1 id="22BYJ5"><strong>Strengths</strong></h1>
<p id="TzcQAh">At 6-foot-9, Beran can be an excellent shot-blocker in the paint. He has been second on the team in blocks for each of his two seasons and, despite only averaging 0.4 blocks per game, Beran ranked third on the team in block percentage, an estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while he was on the floor. </p>
<p id="IG1LOw">Beran led the team in three-point percentage his freshman year and, while he did regress last season, he shot 2.4 three-pointers a game and had multiple games with three triples. Despite regressing from his freshman year, Beran ranked fourth on the team with a 55.6 true shooting percentage. Last year, 80% of his two-point shots and all of his three-pointers were assisted on, and, in what could be a guard-centric offense, Beran will remain a catch-and-shoot option.</p>
<h1 id="vlCrMq"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h1>
<p id="WI1p98">Beran occasionally shows flashes of the high ceiling the ‘Cats expected when the four-star recruit came to Evanston, but so far, he has yet to find his footing. Last year, he only scored over five points in six of NU’s conference games, and on a team that struggled offensively as a typical starter, he lacked significant impact. The Northwestern offense was in desperate need of a spark last year, and Beran didn’t step up. </p>
<h1 id="FlrWvY"><strong>Expectations</strong></h1>
<p id="BDhdIK">With the loss of Miller Kopp, who took 21% of NU’s shots while he was on the court, there will be more offensive opportunities this year than there have been in the past for Beran. He will likely start alongside Pete Nance, Chase Audige, Ryan Young and Boo Buie, and while several of those players are more desired offensive options, Beran may have more chances than usually if opponents zero in on their coverage of other starters. Going into his junior year, Beran still has time to grow, and the promise and potential he showed in high school and at times during his freshman season are enough to keep hope alive. If Northwestern wants to be somewhat competitive this year, they’ll need someone to step up. Robbie Beran could be that guy. </p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2021/10/18/22732216/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-2021-22-f-robbie-beranAndrew Katz2021-10-15T11:22:46-05:002021-10-15T11:22:46-05:00Northwestern dressing up for Homecoming game against Rutgers
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<p>Can a rare uniform combo get the ‘Cats going?</p> <p id="G4KLNy">With the bye week in Northwestern’s rear-view, the ‘Cats will attempt to turn things around against Rutgers this Saturday. On Thursday, NU announced that they’ll be rocking all purple uniforms along with white helmets contrasted by the purple ‘Block N’ logo for its Homecoming game. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Homecoming Flair <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoCats</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/coachfitz51?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachfitz51</a> <a href="https://t.co/uiWBMN2Es8">pic.twitter.com/uiWBMN2Es8</a></p>— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/NUFBFamily/status/1448708729713664000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="0LX9su">The white face masks make their third appearance of the season, and before NU’s loss to Duke, the ‘Cats were undefeated in this helmet combo which consists of a white base, purple N and white face mask. </p>
<p id="t5sPrW">While the purple jerseys are common, according to former Daily Northwestern sports editor Ella Brockway, this uniform combination has only been worn twice. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hello! Some trivia for your Homecoming mixers:<br><br>• 2-0 record in this color combo<br>• Last worn: 2020 win vs. Nebraska<br>• Known, informally, as The Grapes™<br>• Only the fourth game of the UA era with a purple jersey/purple pant <br><br>^ bonus points if you can name the first time ^ <a href="https://t.co/4kfRz8unHK">https://t.co/4kfRz8unHK</a></p>— Ella Brockway (@ellabrockway) <a href="https://twitter.com/ellabrockway/status/1448759805506621442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="ROQUGZ">The Wildcats will try to stay undefeated in the purple tops, purple pants and white helmets when they take on Rutgers at Ryan Field Saturday at 11 am CT on Big Ten Network. </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2021/10/15/22727255/northwestern-dressing-up-for-homecoming-game-against-rutgersAndrew Katz2021-09-09T10:54:27-05:002021-09-09T10:54:27-05:00Big Ten Football Power Rankings, Week Two — The Hawkeyes soar, the ‘Cats fall flat
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<figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>What a treat we had this past weekend.</p> <p id="scZ2GM"><em>Well, that was fun! After a wild weekend that saw some surprising results, we’ll try to sift through the mess of week one games. Let’s take a league-wide look at the Big Ten... and don’t worry, there won’t be any overreactions (no promises). </em></p>
<h1 id="KSjhYK"><strong>1. No. 3 Ohio State (1-0, 1-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="jgmeeC"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 1</p>
<p id="cptXyL"><strong>Last result: </strong>W at Minnesota (45-31)</p>
<p id="gyJvi1"><strong>Next:</strong> vs. No. 12 Oregon</p>
<p id="PhW911">Uh oh, the Buckeyes are down at the half, Stroud looks shaky, this isn’t the same Ohio State team, they’re too young — so much for that. The Buckeyes are stacked at wide receiver, their running back depth is exceptional and Stroud had it figured out by the third quarter. Every time Minnesota inched closer, Ohio State responded. A road win against a team that will have several quality wins by the end of the year shouldn’t go unnoticed and the Buckeyes can prove why they should sit atop this week’s rankings against the Ducks Saturday. </p>
<h1 id="5FZlAi"><strong>2. No. 11 Penn State (1-0, 1-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="EqggDe"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 3</p>
<p id="tM5qew"><strong>Last result:</strong> W at No. 18 Wisconsin (16-10)</p>
<p id="ww4R3F"><strong>Next: </strong>vs. Ball State</p>
<p id="DgY8g7">Penn State managed to win at Camp Randall this past weekend despite Wisconsin dominating the time of possession 43 minutes to 17. The Nittany Lions won the turnover battle, but their offense was stifled, as they only converted three third downs in 13 attempts and had under 300 yards. Penn State’s ability to pull out a win on the road against a tough Wisconsin team is definitely a good sign for the Nittany Lions going forward, who see a much easier MAC opponent in week two. </p>
<h1 id="HbdLbp"><strong>3. No. 10 Iowa (1-0, 1-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="X9wvvX"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 5</p>
<p id="3GH3lh"><strong>Last result:</strong> W vs. Indiana (34-6)</p>
<p id="jiADPP"><strong>Next:</strong> at No. 9 Iowa State</p>
<p id="oc1yVa">What was supposed to be a competitive matchup between closely ranked Big Ten teams was over by halftime. Iowa took advantage of Indiana’s mistakes by turning three interceptions into 14 points. The Hawkeyes defense was strong but Petras has to be better and Iowa has to protect the ball if they want to beat the No.9 Cyclones. </p>
<h1 id="tMqePO"><strong>4. Michigan (1-0, 0-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="HXNqHo"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 6</p>
<p id="HVMRrz"><strong>Last result:</strong> W vs Western Michigan (47-14)</p>
<p id="ykpA96"><strong>Next:</strong> vs. Washington</p>
<p id="ss6sO4">Michigan handled their MAC opponent and in-state rival in the Broncos by piling 551 yards — 335 of which came on the ground — and 47 points on top of them. Their matchup next week against Washington was supposed to provide tougher competition, but the Huskies’ loss to FCS team Montana likely spoils that. It’s hard to determine how good the Wolverines are after this win but for now they’ll sit just inside the top five.</p>
<h1 id="tgoOXC"><strong>5. No. 18 Wisconsin (0-1, 0-1 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="19s1Ck"><strong>Last ranking: </strong>2</p>
<p id="JfvlLt"><strong>Last result: </strong>L vs. Penn State (16-10)</p>
<p id="8ypEY4"><strong>Next: </strong>vs. Eastern Michigan</p>
<p id="WqLABG">The Badgers can’t drop too far after a close loss to Penn State, especially after an elite showcase by their defense. Wisconsin’s run defense was spectacular, allowing only 50 yards to a strong Penn State running backs room. The game was ultimately decided by Graham Mertz’s interceptions, including his devastating goal-line pick in the final minutes. The Badgers’ offense was worrisome but they remain a top contender in the West. </p>
<h1 id="Gr7Dbx"><strong>6. Michigan State (1-0, 1-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="4vCJju"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 13</p>
<p id="vsDggD"><strong>Last result:</strong> W at Northwestern (38-21)</p>
<p id="ainO9E"><strong>Next:</strong> vs. Youngstown State</p>
<p id="UeYkEl">Northwestern saw firsthand that this isn’t the same Michigan State from a year ago. Payton Thorne, Kenneth Walker III and Jayden Reed carried the Spartans to over 500 yards against the ‘Cats. The Spartans defense was strong as well, only allowing eight third down conversions on 19 attempts. They limited NU to 3.1 yards per carry but allowed several big plays, something top teams like Michigan and Ohio State will likely be able to abuse if the Spartans don’t shore up those gaps. </p>
<h1 id="pwmJiS"><strong>7. Maryland (1-0, 0-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="xDOBgH"><strong>Last ranking: </strong>11</p>
<p id="twL8Yh"><strong>Last result: </strong>W vs West Virginia (30-24)</p>
<p id="i6VP61"><strong>Next: </strong>vs. Howard</p>
<p id="DPQPp6">The Terps offense was splendid Saturday, and a decent win against a Power Five team is very good for their resume. Their offense is loaded with talent; quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns and Tayon Fleet-Davis ran for 123 yards. They held the Mountaineers to 48 rushing yards and dominated time of possession. Considering how they looked Saturday, the Terrapins could start off with a 4-0 record but will still struggle against their in-conference gauntlet that includes Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan. </p>
<h1 id="97kIs2"><strong>8. Minnesota (0-1, 0-1 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="2Hn4WY"><strong>Last ranking: </strong>8</p>
<p id="m8kwlf"><strong>Last result:</strong> L vs. No. 3 Ohio State 45-31</p>
<p id="XmF4p0"><strong>Next:</strong> vs. Miami (OH)</p>
<p id="CA5QO5">Minnesota gave a noble effort against the No. 3 team in the nation. They never gave up and shouldn’t drop because of a difficult opening matchup. Losing Mohamed Ibrahim to an Achilles injury is a killer loss but the Golden Gophers are a tough group and should still be able to compete in the Big Ten West</p>
<h1 id="iPpvN0"><strong>9. Purdue (1-0, 0-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="gCI40E"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 9</p>
<p id="I86Z3d"><strong>Last result:</strong> W vs. Oregon State (30-21)</p>
<p id="wTEiNo"><strong>Next:</strong> at Connecticut</p>
<p id="KS6njv">The Boilermakers beat an uninspiring Oregon State squad by single digits — not an impressive victory — but Jake Plummer had a strong game and found his favorite target, David Bell, eight times. It’s fair to reserve judgment until their week three matchup against Notre Dame, assuming they don’t lose to an absolutely miserable Connecticut team. </p>
<h1 id="Vos5LY"><strong>10. Rutgers (1-0, 0-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="z7WBaG"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 10</p>
<p id="tDhWZD"><strong>Last result: </strong>W vs. Temple (61-14)</p>
<p id="tj7h22"><strong>Next: </strong>at Syracuse</p>
<p id="kuDsHi">Rutgers’ dominant victory against a mediocre Temple squad shouldn’t be thrown out when projecting the Scarlet Knights’ 2021 outlook. Greg Schiano’s squad is on the upswing and this isn’t the same old Rutgers. There was hesitation to put the Scarlet Knights higher but think they are right there with the three teams above them and could see a bump with a victory against Syracuse. </p>
<h1 id="W6X47e"><strong>11. Indiana (0-1, 0-1 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="It3aDY"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 4</p>
<p id="fa2lPS"><strong>Last result:</strong> L at Iowa (34-6)</p>
<p id="rsPn2W"><strong>Next:</strong> vs. Idaho</p>
<p id="0sZ1Kv">The Hoosiers fell mighty short of their lofty expectations following a successful 2020 season. QB Michael Penix Jr. was supposed to be a top quarterback in the Big Ten, but his performance against Iowa was abysmal. He threw for 156 yards and three interceptions and IU only rushed for 77 yards. Indiana needs to use their game against Idaho as a tune-up before they have to face No. 7 Cincinnati in week three. </p>
<h1 id="QhvLQL"><strong>12. Northwestern (0-1, 0-1 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="QNaqhf"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 7</p>
<p id="qfwgni"><strong>Last result:</strong> L vs. Michigan State (38-21)</p>
<p id="FURKvu"><strong>Next:</strong> vs. Indiana State</p>
<p id="CCn3Jv">If you only watched Hunter Johnson on Friday, you’d be rightfully furious about Northwestern’s spot in this week’s rankings. Unfortunately, a couple of beautiful deep balls wasn’t enough to avoid a loss that was hard to watch. It’s difficult to win when Kenneth Walker III runs for 264 yards and four touchdowns. It’s especially difficult to win if, while that ground attack is happening, Payton Thorne is able to consistently find open receivers. The Wildcats’ defense sorely missed Mike Hankwitz and the personnel and depth are lacking after the team’s crucial losses in 2020. The Wildcats should be able to turn things around given their easy non-conference schedule, but there is work to be done if they expect to compete with the top Big Ten teams. </p>
<h1 id="a6Ybvl"><strong>13. Illinois (1-1, 1-0 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="4ZVTyG"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 12</p>
<p id="XozAe7"><strong>Last result:</strong> L vs. UTSA (37-30)</p>
<p id="FbLRzr"><strong>Next:</strong> at Virginia</p>
<p id="U2l8iy">Let’s be blunt; the Illini just lost to UTSA, a school that has only had a football program for a decade. What happened? After a surprising performance in week one, there was an unusual optimism that maybe the Illini had turned a new leaf after their 2-6 disaster last season. Any hope for the Illini was promptly drained and no one knows what to expect with this team ahead of their matchup against the Cavaliers on Saturday. </p>
<h1 id="ayG1mk"><strong>14. Nebraska (1-1, 0-1 B1G)</strong></h1>
<p id="50ueQj"><strong>Last ranking:</strong> 14</p>
<p id="ifQWN3"><strong>Last result:</strong> W vs. Fordham (52-7)</p>
<p id="Zr2NW4"><strong>Next:</strong> vs Buffalo</p>
<p id="wIEZLv">Is a blowout win against an FCS team supposed to sway my opinion on a team that allowed Illinois to score 28 unanswered in their season-opening loss? The Cornhuskers’ rushing attack was impressive against Fordham accumulating 329 yards, but considering they lost to a team (checks notes to make sure this isn’t a typo) that lost to UTSA at home, I’m not convinced. </p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2021/9/9/22664003/big-ten-football-power-rankings-week-two-the-hawkeyes-soar-the-cats-fall-flatAndrew Katz2021-08-31T08:22:14-05:002021-08-31T08:22:14-05:00Three matchups to watch against Michigan State
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<img alt="Syndication: Lansing State Journal" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/35_tDKjJ9SiCEONLVetXfVEtDC0=/0x0:2000x1333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69797652/usa_today_15245007.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nick King/Lansing State Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC</figcaption>
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<p>From the trenches to the secondary, Friday’s night game is bound to be action-packed.</p> <p id="D2C9zj"><em>The Spartans may have spoiled the Wildcats’ undefeated season in 2020, but NU’s opportunity for revenge is only a couple of days away. Northwestern is favored by just a field goal, as most prognosticators are still waiting to get a feel for both squads prior to the season’s start. Here are three battles to keep an eye on in one of the Wildcats’ most anticipated games of the year. </em></p>
<h2 id="NnTaKZ"><strong>Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed vs. the Sky Team</strong></h2>
<p id="Xi7gUi">While Greg Newsome and JR Pace were big parts of Northwestern’s success in 2020 — Newsome had nine pass breakups and Pace had 41 tackles — the <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/2021/7/13/22573631/roundtable-what-is-northwestern-footballs-best-position-group-for-2021">Wildcats’ secondary remains its best defensive position group</a>. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Joseph is one of the best safeties in the country, and has the stats to back it up, as he recorded six interceptions and 52 tackles in his first season as a Wildcat. Additionally, the ‘Cats possess proven depth with A.J. Hampton, Cam Mitchell and Rod Heard at cornerback.</p>
<p id="Q6Caf7">On the other side, the Sky Team will have a tough test to open the season. <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a> has a formidable one-two punch of Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed at wide receiver. In 2020, Nailor and Reed combined for 59 catches, 922 yards and seven touchdowns. <a href="https://twitter.com/BigTenNetwork/status/1332792723762409472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1332792723762409472%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fspartanswire.usatoday.com%2F2020%2F11%2F28%2Fwatch-rocky-lombardi-and-jalen-nailor-connect-on-75-yard-td%2F">Nailor is a big-play threat</a> and has the speed to get behind a defense. He had five catches for at least 45 or more yards last season on his way to averaging a staggering 19.8 yards per catch, which included a 99-yard performance and a touchdown against the ‘Cats in East Lansing. His partner in crime Reed also hauled in a score against Northwestern, and for the year led the Spartans in total receptions.</p>
<p id="Jl0IA0">For Nailor and Reed to produce such strong sophomore seasons despite quarterback inconsistency is a testament to their incredible talent, as they both could have legitimate <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> aspirations in 2022. They might’ve won the matchup in 2020, but there’s no doubt that Brandon Joseph and Co. are chomping at the bit for a chance at redemption this Friday. </p>
<h2 id="faQHPQ"><strong>Northwestern’s offensive line vs. Michigan State’s defensive line </strong></h2>
<p id="Z4s8yV">The Trench ‘Cats outlived all expectations last year, and in 2021, they’ll need to keep that trend going, opening against a tough Michigan State front. The Wildcats only allowed 1.4 sacks per game last season, which was a noticeable improvement from the 2019 campaign. A big reason for the unit’s progress was a standout freshman season from Peter Skoronski, who is on pace to be a first-round pick in two years and already serves as one of the de facto leaders of the offensive line. Meanwhile, seniors Sam Gerak and Ethan Wiederkehr will bring much-needed veteran leadership as they return to their starting roles, while Josh Priebe and Charlie Schmidt have been announced as the two newest starters for the unit. </p>
<p id="AL9oeF">On the opposite side of the ball, the Spartans have the experience and depth to challenge the ‘Cats’ offensive line, starting with defensive ends Jacub Panasiuk and Drew Beesley, two seniors who combined for 4.0 sacks in last year’s shortened season. Additionally, Michael Fletcher and Jack Camper return as top backups who combined for 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks, while Jeff Pietrowski also earned playing time as a true freshman and should be able to provide more production in 2021. To top it all off, MSU nabbed Drew Jordan in the offseason, a graduate transfer who appeared in 48 career games for Duke, and overall have the bodies needed to go toe-to-toe with Northwestern in the trenches week one. </p>
<h2 id="Zy1w7M"><strong>Hunter Johnson vs. Prior Struggles</strong></h2>
<p id="cK6kkR">Johnson’s career at Northwestern thus far has been difficult to say the least, but Pat Fitzgerald evidently has faith that he can turn things around, as he announced that the senior <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/2021/8/17/22629112/breaking-hunter-johnson-named-northwesterns-week-one-starter-at-quarterback">quarterback will start against the Spartans.</a> Johnson transferred from Clemson after the 2017 season and didn’t play at all throughout 2018. He debuted in the 2019 season opener against Stanford both before and after T.J. Green went down with a season-ending injury, and in total HJ finished 6-for-17 with 55 yards and two interceptions against the Cardinal. Johnson started three games the rest of the season and ended with 432 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions, while averaging just four yards per attempt and a 46.3 completion percentage. </p>
<p id="vYY2Qd">Johnson didn’t see the field at all in 2020, watching from the sidelines as Peyton Ramsey led the ‘Cats to a 7-2 season and a bowl win against Auburn. He ultimately stuck it out, and now the Wildcats will turn back to the quarterback who hasn’t played since late in November 2019 against Minnesota. After all that turbulence, Johnson finally has the chance to start anew with Mike Bajakian as the offensive coordinator, giving off many reasons for hope and excitement in spite of all the doubt. No matter the script of the game, his performance should be the story of the day when Northwestern battles Michigan State to open the season. </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2021/8/31/22649710/three-matchups-to-watch-against-michigan-stateAndrew Katz2021-08-23T11:30:46-05:002021-08-23T11:30:46-05:00Know Your Opponent — Illinois
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<figcaption>Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The ‘Cats are headed back to Champaign.</p> <p id="a3qvmk"><em>The final installment of our 2021 summer guide is the Know Your Opponent series. We’ll take you through Northwestern’s schedule week by week, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent and identifying some key players to look for. The series serves as a way for us to evaluate and take stock of the team’s upcoming opponents.</em></p>
<p id="CFcj1F"><em>Up last is Illinois, a team that only won two games in 2020 and finished the season on a three game losing streak. Northwestern handled the Illini 28-10 last season, winning their sixth straight game between the teams. This year gives the ‘Cats the opportunity to tie the all-time series with a win.</em></p>
<h2 id="IS34EO"><strong>The Basics</strong></h2>
<p id="iLElsZ"><strong>Returning Production: </strong>70 percent overall (Offense 80 percent, Defense 61 percent)</p>
<p id="YzLCLw"><strong>2020 Record:</strong> 2-6</p>
<p id="PYC67y"><strong>Coach:</strong> Bret Bielema </p>
<p id="syMnNx"><strong>The Stats</strong></p>
<p id="6I7u3Y"><em>The following metrics are courtesy of Bill Connelly and Football Outsiders (and now ESPN!). You can read more about the rankings and theory behind them </em><a href="https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaa"><em><strong>here</strong></em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p id="fGMhU4"><strong>2020 </strong><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/13/16457830/college-football-advanced-stats-analytics-rankings"><strong>S&P</strong></a><strong>+ Overall: </strong>81st</p>
<p id="NZTAK3"><strong>2020 S&P+ Offense: </strong>77th</p>
<p id="l2jd7V"><strong>2020 S&P+ Defense: </strong>83rd</p>
<h1 id="q0mF0w"><strong>2020 Capsule</strong></h1>
<p id="BMmRs6">Illinois had a decent 2019 season — finishing 6-7 after losing to California in the Redbox Bowl. Quarterback Brandon Peters, who transferred from Michigan after 2018, had a good season, throwing for 1,884 yards and 18 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. Unfortunately, Peters was unable to replicate his 2019 performance in 2020; he only started five games, missing three after testing positive for COVID-19, and threw for 429 yards and three touchdowns. </p>
<p id="87awWU">In what turned out to be Lovie Smith’s final season as the team’s head coach, the Illini finished 2-6. They started the year by getting stomped by Wisconsin 45-7, with Peters throwing for just 87 yards and Illinois failing to score an offensive touchdown. Peters then tested positive for COVID, so the Illini turned to Coran Taylor at quarterback, whose 273 yards and two touchdowns were not enough to beat Purdue. They remained winless after a 41-14 loss against Minnesota, with Illinois’ defense allowing Mohamed Ibrahim to run for 224 yards and four touchdowns.</p>
<p id="FKJamG">The Illini needed to switch it up; Isaiah Williams, listed as a wide receiver on the 2021 roster, started at quarterback against Rutgers last season. Williams threw for 104 yards and ran for 192 yards as Illinois got their first win of the season. Peters was back the following week as the starting quarterback against Nebraska, and Illinois won their second straight with a 41-23 victory over the Cornhuskers. Peters threw for 205 yards and a touchdown and the Illini’s two-headed backfield of Mike Epstein and Chase Brown combined for 223 yards and three touchdowns. </p>
<p id="yEoWCs">However, their winning days would not last long. After their game against Ohio State was canceled due to COVID-19, the Illini lost their three final games by a combined 57 points. Peters started hot against Iowa, but was soon pulled and replaced by Williams at quarterback. Against NU, Peters started 3/14 for 21 yards and was replaced by Williams again, who struggled mightily until a fourth quarter touchdown. Illinois’ final game of the season against Penn State started as a shootout, tied at 21 after the first quarter. The Nittany Lions ended up winning 56-21 and Illinois’ season ended with questions all over the roster. </p>
<h1 id="4df5o4"><strong>Offensive Overview</strong></h1>
<p id="5iyxOY">Illinois’ 2020 passing offense ranked 114th in the FBS, but, regardless, it looks like they are going to run it back with Peters under center in 2021. Peters flourished in his first year with the Illini and new head coach Bret Bielema is counting on him returning to that form. </p>
<p id="kREdge">If Peters fails to get it going, the Illini could turn to other options, such as Rutgers transfer Artur Sitkowski. Sitkowski struggled mightily at Rutgers, but is a former four-star recruit with offers from Ohio State, Florida and Miami, so it’s quite possible that he possesses the talent necessary to succeed in the Big Ten. If Sitkowski doesn’t work out, Illinois could turn to former Northern Michigan quarterback Ryan Johnson, who earned a spot as a preferred walk-on. In addition to Sitkowski and Johnson, Samari Collier is a true freshman who threw for over 4,000 yards and 56 touchdowns in high school. However, given the talent and experience above him on the depth chart, expect Collier to redshirt this year. </p>
<p id="gJJirT">Outside of the quarterbacks, Donny Navarro, Brian Hightower and Casey Washington are the only returning Illinois receivers with more than five receptions. Jafar Armstrong, a grad transfer from Notre Dame who played RB and WR for the Irish, also could serve as a pass-catching option for the Illini. He rushed for 513 yards and nine touchdowns and caught the ball 30 times for 294 yards. Thus far, his career has been hobbled with injuries and position competition, but he can be an important part of the Illini’s offense if he is able to stay healthy. </p>
<p id="nCbsPo">As mentioned earlier, Isaiah Williams switched from QB to WR in the spring. The five-star athlete had offers from just about every blue chip program in the nation, but the opportunity to play quarterback drew Williams to Illinois. His extreme athleticism made him a dynamic, shifty runner and with quarterback experience against Big Ten defenses, Williams could be an elite receiver for Peters. </p>
<p id="L39P4r">In the trenches, Bielema inherits one of the most experienced offensive lines in the nation, with the returning players combine for 123 Illini starts. Tackles Vederian Lowe and Alex Palczewski will lock down the edge as they return for their senior seasons. Meanwhile, center Doug Kramer was named to the Pro Football Focus preseason All-Big Ten second team and was listed as an Honorable Mention in PFF’s preseason All-America list. </p>
<p id="ScKMdB">Bielema and new offensive coordinator Tony Peterson will likely trot out a run-heavy offense in 2021, as Illinois had the 35th-ranked rushing offense in the nation a year ago. Much like last season, the Illini will be a revolving door in the backfield unless someone breaks out. Brown led the team in carries last season and ran for 540 yards and three touchdowns. Williams, at quarterback, rushed for 389 yards, while Epstein ran for 367 yards and four touchdowns. </p>
<h1 id="0X6jyH"><strong>Defensive Overview</strong></h1>
<p id="z0Pju7">New defensive coordinator Ryan Walters was previously the defensive coordinator at Missouri, where he made the Tigers’ defense one of the SEC’s top units. In 2019, Mizzou’s defense ranked in the top 20 for total defense and scoring defense and excelled as a top 10 pass defense. However, Walters will have his work cut out for him, as Illinois’ defense finished ranked 116th against the run, 67th in passing yards allowed and 97th in scoring defense in 2020. </p>
<p id="HvsRkk">Diving into the position groups, the entire starting defensive line is back. Fifth-year defensive tackle Jamal Woods started just three games last year and has had a career riddled by injuries. Nose tackle Roderick Perry II is a former FCS All-American and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2020. The Illini also have defensive end Keith Randolph Jr., who recorded just eight total tackles last season.</p>
<p id="DKhHdA">Losing linebacker Milo Eifler — who you may know from <a href="https://twitter.com/wcia3andy/status/1336409461301370880?lang=en">this gem</a> — to the NFL Draft is a tough pill to swallow, but the Illini have some talented seniors ready to lead the defense. Inside linebacker Jake Hansen has started every game he’s suited up for since 2018 and was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team last season. Isaiah Gay and Owen Carney Jr. are two senior outside linebackers that will provide a pass rush while having some coverage responsibilities in Bielema’s new defensive scheme. The only new face among the starting linebackers is Calvin Hart Jr., an inside linebacker that transferred from NC State. </p>
<p id="NORCyJ">Other than losing cornerback Nate Hobbs to the NFL Draft, the Illini return most of their secondary, including three of four starters. Senior Tony Adams is moving from safety back to his original position of cornerback. Across from Adams will be Devon Witherspoon, who had a breakout season last year with 33 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. However, Illinois has two major question marks at safety in Sydney Brown and Jartavius Martin, who have not had productive seasons since 2019. </p>
<h1 id="WXAcWT"><strong>Three Players to Know</strong></h1>
<p id="EGG5Vx"><strong>WR Isaiah Williams</strong></p>
<p id="xc656W">Williams isn’t exactly a sleeper pick for this spot, but since there’s little to no tape of him at wide receiver, opposing defenses will have difficulty game-planning for the talented, versatile athlete. Williams measures at 5’10” and 180 pounds, the exact same height and weight as Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The way Williams runs with the ball is similar to Lockett and he shares the ability to shake off tacklers despite his size. Whether or not Williams will be a talented pass catcher is yet to be seen, but such an elite athlete like himself will be a threat regardless. </p>
<p id="KW07w5"><strong>NT Roderick Perry II</strong></p>
<p id="YSvj2M">Perry’s unique story of going from being inexplicably under-recruited to becoming an FCS All-American to jumping into to the Power Five level at Illinois is somewhat unbelievable. Perry’s only played a season in Urbana-Champaign, but was one of the Illini’s few bright spots in 2020. He recorded 17 tackles — five solo and 12 assists — and two sacks in only six games. At 6’2” and 315 pounds, Perry is almost exactly the average size of a professional defensive lineman. Perry could’ve entered the 2021 NFL Draft, but opted to use the extra year of eligibility granted to all players by the NCAA and return to Illinois. </p>
<p id="nwqn07"><strong>OLB Owen Carney Jr. </strong></p>
<p id="DLiGiE">Carney is making the switch from defensive end to outside linebacker, but his experience should help with the transition. He gained more playing time in the 2018 and 2019 seasons and finally received the starting nod in 2020. His three-sack performance versus Purdue drew the Big Ten’s attention, and, when the season came to a close, he was named to the All-Big Ten second team. He recorded 27 total tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble, all of which represented career highs. He enters his senior year with high expectations.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2021/8/23/22637316/know-your-opponent-illinoisAndrew Katz2021-08-17T10:11:42-05:002021-08-17T10:11:42-05:00Know Your Opponent — Iowa
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 05 Iowa at Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jNZi9_pj-XUe6bANBBnATiSNkqQ=/0x2:3775x2519/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69736573/1230001819.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Hawkeyes will try to steal another win in Evanston.</p> <p id="Rdcb3R"><em>The final installment of our 2021 summer guide is the Know Your Opponent series. We’ll take you through Northwestern’s schedule week by week, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent and identifying some key players to look for. The series serves as a way for us to evaluate and take stock of the team’s upcoming opponents.</em></p>
<p id="ymeGBZ"><em>Next up is Iowa, a team that won six straight in 2020 after losing their first two games. Northwestern has won four out of the last five matchups against the Hawkeyes. The last time these teams met in Evanston, Iowa won 20-0. </em></p>
<h2 id="izgRcU"><strong>The Basics</strong></h2>
<p id="oCnAHn"><strong>Returning Production: </strong>72 percent overall (Offense 69 percent, Defense 76 percent)</p>
<p id="PMDWnw"><strong>2020 Record:</strong> 6-2</p>
<p id="uDQVrW"><strong>Coach:</strong> Kirk Ferentz</p>
<h2 id="JgM9NR"><strong>The Stats</strong></h2>
<p id="uB3yam"><em>The following metrics are courtesy of Bill Connelly and Football Outsiders (and now ESPN!). You can read more about the rankings and theory behind them </em><a href="https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaa"><em><strong>here</strong></em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p id="mZZ4Tl"><strong>2020 </strong><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/13/16457830/college-football-advanced-stats-analytics-rankings"><strong>S&P</strong></a><strong>+ Overall: </strong>10th</p>
<p id="vZGInE"><strong>2020 S&P+ Offense: </strong>45th</p>
<p id="fFkvBt"><strong>2020 S&P+ Defense: </strong>2nd</p>
<h1 id="AvcDi9"><strong>2020 Capsule</strong></h1>
<p id="T6PERq">After a strong 10-win season in 2019, which concluded with a bowl win over USC, the Hawkeyes turned to sophomore Spencer Petras to replace Nate Stanley at QB. In his first season as the starter, Petras put up mediocre numbers, but, with the help of a defense that ranked in the top ten in nearly every metric, head coach Kirk Ferentz’s team had a winning record for the 17th time in his 22 years at the helm. </p>
<p id="Y50m1V">The Hawkeyes season started with a disappointing 24-20 loss at Purdue. The following week, they returned home, only to lose a 17-point lead to Northwestern and fall 21-20 behind three Petras interceptions. </p>
<p id="bVINGl">Things soon turned around, as the Hawkeyes slaughtered Michigan State 49-7 and trounced Minnesota 35-7 on the road. Between these two games, Iowa’s defense was dominant, forcing five turnovers. They soon moved to 3-2 after forcing four turnovers en route to a 41-21 victory at Penn State. The week after, the Hawkeyes squeezed out a 26-20 victory vs. Nebraska for their fourth straight win. </p>
<p id="BJH5uE">Petras had his best game of the season against Illinois, throwing for 220 yards and three touchdowns. After going down 14-0, the Hawkeyes scored 35 unanswered and marched ahead with a fifth straight victory. Now ranked No. 16 in the country, Iowa defeated Wisconsin 28-7 behind another strong performance from their sophomore QB. </p>
<p id="KkCFck">Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes’ season ended early due to their game against Michigan being canceled because of positive COVID tests within Michigan’s program. Iowa was selected to play in the Music City Bowl versus Missouri, but that was also canceled due to COVID-19, so the Hawkeyes finished their 2020 season with a 6-2 record. </p>
<h1 id="tx5A8x"><strong>Offensive Overview</strong></h1>
<p id="z1tYxS">Iowa’s offense in 2020 wasn’t bad, but there was certainly room for improvement. They ranked 87th in all of the FBS in total offense, averaging 368.6 yards per game, and 107th in third-down percentage, only converting 33.6 percent of the time. However, they were elite in the red zone, as they finished tops in the Big Ten and 10th in the country in red zone conversion percentage, scoring 91.7% of the time. On top of that, the Hawkeyes averaged 31.8 points per game, an impressive mark for Petras’ first year as the starter. </p>
<p id="5gQQ7M">It’s also important to note that Petras played his best ball toward the end of the season, as his yards per game and passer rating trended up and he turned the ball over less. The Hawkeyes’ two top receivers are gone, making junior tight end Sam LaPorta a top target. While receiver Nico Ragaini struggled in 2020, he had a strong 2019 season and can be a reliable option for Petras. The rest of the receiving group is a ragtag group of maybes, consisting of Charlie Jones — a return specialist that will see receiver reps — true freshman Keagan Johnson and Tyrone Tracy Jr., a talented receiver who could make a leap this year. </p>
<p id="lKuKSX">Junior running back Tyler Goodson will likely be the team’s workhorse after receiving First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2020. He averaged over five yards a carry last season and rushed for 762 yards and seven touchdowns. Iowa’s second leading rusher, Mekhi Sargent, is gone, so senior Ivory Kelly-Martin will likely get some touches in his place.</p>
<p id="YXXpx8">The running game for Iowa is usually a credit to the tremendous offensive line play they’ve had through the years. This year, however, some new guys will have to step up. The Hawkeyes will be replacing both tackle positions. Additionally, they will have a new offensive line coach in George Barnett, who is taking over for Tim Polasek. Center Tyler Linderbaum was originally a defensive lineman but converted to offensive line during bowl prep and is one of the toughest lineman in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes have guard-depth and experience, but lack experience at tackle.</p>
<h1 id="yVf6ZY"><strong>Defensive Overview</strong></h1>
<p id="QvZaGo">Iowa’s defense was one of the best in the nation in 2020, finishing ranked sixth in scoring defense, 12th in red zone defense and 10th in rushing defense. Iowa’s defensive S&P+ ranking sat at second at the end of last season and they’re returning over 75% of their production. Their biggest losses include leading tackler linebacker Nick Niemman, defensive end Chauncey Gholston and star defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon. </p>
<p id="IwisK5">A key returner for the Hawkeyes is senior right end Zach VanValkenburg, who started every game last season and earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors. VanValkenburg plays with an excellent motor and could certainly be in line for a big season in 2021. The competition at left end could continue through fall camp, but junior John Waggoner is the leading candidate for the job after the coaching staff described him as “one of the most consistent and steady” players during spring practice. On the interior front, look for Noah Shannon and Yahya Black to be the anchors. </p>
<p id="wg5qMc">Last year’s stout defensive line allowed Iowa’s linebackers to be freed up and make plays. However, the Hawkeyes’ lack of experience up front this year may require their linebacking corps to get off more blocks. Seth Benson, Jack Campbell and Jestin Jacobs are the Hawkeyes’ top linebackers and strong seasons from Benson and Campbell will go a long a way towards keeping a top 10 defense. </p>
<p id="Owgqd6">Iowa’s secondary may be their best defensive unit in 2021. Their depth and talent at the cornerback position is going to stifle opposing quarterbacks. Matt Hankins is returning for a final season; Riley Moss is an uber-fast corner who has improved every year; Xavior Williams is a jack-of-all-trades and can play safety or corner; Terry Roberts was projected to start before Hankins returned and will be a great depth option for the Hawkeyes to turn to. Iowa is returning their two top safeties and they’re adding Cooper DeJean, a freak athlete who could be a breakout star this year. </p>
<h1 id="3dEEYI"><strong>Three Players to Know</strong></h1>
<p id="HummVO"><strong>RB Tyler Goodson</strong></p>
<p id="IVfWDS">At 5’10” and only 200 pounds, Goodson uses his speed and small stature to break big runs and jumpstart the Iowa offense. His lateral movement and acceleration is reminiscent of Alvin Kamara, and like the Saints running back, Goodson is a threat in the receiving game, as he recorded 15 catches for 152 yards in 2020. Only a junior, Goodson has already received First Team All-Big Ten Honors and is listed as the No. 4 running back on <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2022/insider/story/_/id/31461799/2022-nfl-draft-rankings-top-25-prospects-best-position-mel-kiper-big-board-including-kayvon-thibodeaux-derek-stingley-spencer-rattler">Mel Kiper’s 2022 NFL Draft list</a>. </p>
<p id="4UajHv"><strong>C Tyler Linderbaum</strong></p>
<p id="R1B9p8">Regarded as one of the best centers in college football, Linderbaum stands at 6’3” and 290 pounds. When watching him play, the first thing you’ll notice is his athleticism. He is explosive off the line and goes hard and fast on every play, occasionally leading to impressive takedowns away from the action. Originally recruited as a defensive lineman and once a wrestler, Linderbaum is incredibly strong and is a man-mover for Iowa’s offensive line. His head is always on a swivel for an extra pass rusher and he has never had a bad snap or fumbled exchange when snapping the ball. Linderbaum is a first round talent and could be one of the best offensive linemen in college football this year.</p>
<p id="b2GQrh"><strong>DB Xavior Williams </strong></p>
<p id="tSTOo2">Williams joins the team as a graduate transfer from Northern Iowa. He didn’t play in 2020 but he received First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 2018 and 2019. He joins an already loaded secondary and will see playing time either at safety or corner. In 2019, he recorded 26 solo tackles with 13 pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries (one that was returned for a touchdown) and one interception. In 2018, he had 42 total tackles and four interceptions, one of which was taken back for six. Any questions the Hawkeyes have up front will be answered by great secondary play and Williams is right in the fray. </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2021/8/17/22627485/know-your-opponent-iowaAndrew Katz