Inside NU - Northwestern-Iowa FootballRoll Damn 'Catshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52532/insidenu_fav.png2013-10-29T11:00:04-05:00http://www.insidenu.com/rss/stream/33152912013-10-29T11:00:04-05:002013-10-29T11:00:04-05:00Plays of the Week: Ham Vitale
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<figcaption>Matthew Holst</figcaption>
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<p>Northwestern's superback was a bright spot on offense against Iowa</p> <p>I could write an article about what went wrong on Saturday, but I think one stat sums it up: Northwestern had 8 offensive possessions in regulation (excluding the game-ending kneeldowns) and turned the ball over two times. The other 6 only produced 10 points, which still isn't good, but I like NU's chances of finding a few more points if they don't put the ball on the ground.</p>
<p>So instead of talking about the bad, I want to focus on a few things that went right. Many of those plays came from one man: sophomore superback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160024/dan-vitale">Dan Vitale</a>.</p>
<p>For our first play, we go to the third quarter. Northwestern faces second and 8 from the Iowa 10, and the offense comes out with trips right and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77216/mike-trumpy">Mike Trumpy</a> in the backfield. Iowa responds with what looks like a man-to-man look on the outside, with the other 7 defenders looking into the backfield.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3471699/_IowaVitaleTDPresnap.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitaletdpresnap_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3471699/_IowaVitaleTDPresnap_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Northwestern calls a play-action pass, running Dan Vitale down the middle from the inside of the trips side while the other two receivers run a smash concept.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3471731/_IowaVitaleTDFake.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitaletdfake_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3471731/_IowaVitaleTDFake_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>I don't know what coverage Iowa was trying to run, but it doesn't work out. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113827/tanner-miller">Tanner Miller</a>, lined up over Vitale at the snap, immediately turns outside, covering the corner route from the inside out. The only other defender close to Vitale is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113823/anthony-hitchens">Anthony Hitchens</a>, who steps toward the run fake. This leaves Vitale wide open in the end zone.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3471771/_IowaVitaleTDThrow.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitaletdthrow_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3471771/_IowaVitaleTDThrow_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Obviously, the play-action fake was extremely effective, sucking all three linebackers up towards the line. Even considering that, though, Iowa's coverage doesn't make much sense to me. Iowa's three defenders to the offensive right play a zone coverage, with Miller apparently responsible for the deep half to that side. On the other side, Iowa plays straight man coverage against the lone receiver. This puts Iowa's linebackers in conflict on play-action: they are responsible both for handling any middle pass routes and for plugging holes against the run. This might be how they drew it up, in which case this is a nice job by Mick McCall exploiting the tendency, or Iowa might have had some communication problems and ended up with part of the defense in one coverage and part in another.</p>
<p>Play action is a traditional way of getting tight ends open, as the position's combination of run-blocking and pass-catching puts a corresponding dual stress on the defense. Northwestern exploited that stress earlier on the same drive, getting Vitale open for a 31 yard gain.</p>
<p>On the second down following a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114053/kain-colter">Kain Colter</a> rush for 3 yards, Northwestern comes out with trips left and Vitale lined up as a tight end on the right. This is the same formation as the first play of the drive, and Iowa responds with a defense heavily shifted towards the trips side.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3471901/_IowaVitaleSeamPresnap.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitaleseampresnap_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3471901/_IowaVitaleSeamPresnap_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>At the snap, Colter fakes a handoff and Vitale opens his body outside before heading towards the cornerback on his side, BJ Lowery.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3471915/_IowaVitaleSeamFake.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitaleseamfake_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3471915/_IowaVitaleSeamFake_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Compare Vitale on the previous play, where he is responsible for blocking Lowery.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3471939/_IowaVitaleZoneReadBlock.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitalezonereadblock_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3471939/_IowaVitaleZoneReadBlock_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>In both cases, Vitale begins by dropping his outside foot before heading for Lowery's inside shoulder. His job on the run is to seal the corner outside, opening the outside for Colter if he keeps the ball. On the pass, his job is to sell the run before accelerating downfield.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3471955/_IowaVitaleSeamRelease.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitaleseamrelease_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3471955/_IowaVitaleSeamRelease_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Lowery catches on quickly, and Vitale has to try to run by him.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3471963/_IowaVitaleSeamCatch.png" target="_blank"><img alt="_iowavitaleseamcatch_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3471963/_IowaVitaleSeamCatch_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Vitale just manages to get behind Lowery, and Colter's throw is just beyond Lowery's swipe. Vitale bobbles the ball once and hauls in the reception.</p>
<p>Vitale might by himself a step with his release, but for the most part he simply beats a cornerback by running straight downfield. The separation may not be great, but he gets the job done.</p>
<p>Mick McCall likes this formation with trips away from a tight end, and Vitale makes it a matchup nightmare for the offense. Iowa matches up to the three receiver side by moving linebackers outside, which both weakens their run defense inside and leaves those linebackers vulnerable to pass routes from the receivers. On the other side, Iowa's cornerback has to play an important role against the run, which isn't ideal. With a tight end who can also beat that cornerback deep, the offense has a lot of options.</p>
<p>After the game, Fitz made some comments about the staff's goal of getting Vitale more involved against Iowa. While using your best players always makes sense, Venric Mark's absence makes Vitale particularly important as one of the few Northwestern players who can consistently beat defenders one on one. Hopefully Vitale can have another big finish this year and help Northwestern to a strong finish.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/northwestern-wildcats-football/2013/10/29/5041118/plays-of-the-week-dan-vitale-northwestern-football-iowaMountainTiger2012-10-29T09:54:20-05:002012-10-29T09:54:20-05:00Plays of the Week: A Colter Keeper
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<figcaption>David Banks</figcaption>
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<p>Northwestern used called QB keepers to get Kain Colter involved in the running game against Iowa</p> <p>Yesterday, I looked at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114053/kain-colter" class="sbn-auto-link">Kain Colter's</a> downfield passes. Today, I want to look at a new element Northwestern added to the run game against Iowa: called QB runs.</p>
<p>Northwestern's opening drive had lasted 10 plays, including 4 Kain Colter runs, by the time Northwestern faced 3rd and 1 at the Iowa 5. To convert the third down, Kain Colter lines up with Tyris Jones to his right and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114071/venric-mark" class="sbn-auto-link">Venric Mark</a> to his left. Iowa puts a player over each of the three Northwestern receivers and lines up the other 8 defenders in a 4-4 front.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646607/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDPresnap.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646607/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDPresnap_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Nuviowacolterkeepertdpresnap_medium"></a></p>
<p>At the snap, Colter meshes with Tyris Jones. I think that this is a fake and not a read for a few reasons. First, I have no idea who Colter would be reading; there is no unblocked lineman, and I don't see a second level player who Colter is watching (the backside alley player is possible but unlikely). Second, the mesh is quick and loose; Jones doesn't ever have a grip on the ball. Finally, a read would mean that, on third and 1 in the red zone, Northwestern is seriously considering running Tyris Jones with Venric Mark as a lead blocker; no offense to either player, but that would be a seriously bizarre decision.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646623/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDMesh.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646623/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDMesh_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Nuviowacolterkeepertdmesh_medium"></a></p>
<p>The Iowa defensive line holds up reasonably well, not giving any ground. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37222/brian-mulroe" class="sbn-auto-link">Brian Mulroe</a> does a good job on his block, helping get the nose tackle under control and then picking up the backside linebacker and driving him into the endzone. Jones gets the playside linebacker, and Mark takes the playside alley player. On the backside, Iowa has an interesting exchange, as the alley player moves to cover the slot receiver and the defender over the receiver moves towards the box in run support. Neither of these players was likely to be relevant in any case, but this exchange ensures that neither is in the play. Colter should be able to at least pick up the first down by cutting inside Mark's block.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646647/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDHole.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646647/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDHole_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Nuviowacolterkeepertdhole_medium"></a></p>
<p>Colter sees the hole closing and a chance outside. He cuts behind Mark instead. The defender responsible for holding the edge loses his balance and ends up as the victim of a pancake block by a 175 pound halfback. Colter heads into the endzone untouched.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646655/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDEdge.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1646655/NUvIOWAColterKeeperTDEdge_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Nuviowacolterkeepertdedge_medium"></a></p>
<p>Northwestern has run a few designed QB keepers this year. Against Vanderbilt, Colter scored the finishing touchdown on a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sippinonpurple.com/2012/9/10/3305176/plays-of-the-week-shifting-gears">designed QB run</a>, and NU ran QB draws a few times before the Iowa game. The Iowa game nevertheless marked the first time that I have seen a commitment to designed QB runs throughout the game and in all situations. These runs are a great way to give Colter chances to run without having to deal with the defense's attempts to muddy his reads. Against the Michigan and Michigan State defenses, Northwestern will need every trick Mick McCall has to find the end zone, so it is good to see new wrinkles still appearing in week 9.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2012/10/29/3569258/plays-of-the-week-part-2-a-colter-keeper-northwestern-run-gameMountainTiger2012-10-28T14:23:09-05:002012-10-28T14:23:09-05:00Quick thoughs on Northwestern-Iowa
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<figcaption>David Banks</figcaption>
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<p>Northwestern handled Iowa after going up 28-3 to get a win on homecoming. Kain Colter and Venric Mark combined for 332 yards on the ground, which is a lot.</p> <p>Ahh, homecoming. Northwestern got a big lead early and held on to it, although it wouldn't have been a Northwestern game if it didn't get way closer than it should've been at the end. All in all, a fun win and a fun first game back at college since graduating. (Advice: never graduate. Never graduate.)</p>
<ul>
<li>Team Kain. Team Kain Team Kain Team Kain. Northwestern's offense was uninventive, but Iowa couldn't stop it, so it didn't really matter. Kain Colter absolutely murdered everything on the ground and although he had one pretty ugly overthrow that got picked, he showed that he could throw the ball downfield without the world ending, although the TD he tossed was kind of a duck. So that was nice. Only one pass for Trevor Siemian, and we could've done without it too. More of this, please.</li>
<li>Northwestern let the Hawkeyes back into the game at the end, but a very impressive defensive performance. We were all extremely worried about the pass defense, but I really liked what I saw from Daniel Jones and Demetrius Dugar wasn't bad neither - a lot of the sacks picked up by NU's defense were on coverage. I'm not sure if that's because James Vandenberg was dying on the inside or because there was actually nobody open, but it happened.</li>
<li>We blocked a punt! Play of Tyris Jones' career. I pretty genuinely forgot that was a thing that happened. Northwestern's special teams have been especially special this year, so hold all the jokes about NORTHWESTERN NEEDS A SPECIAL TEAMS COACH THAT ISN'T PAT FITZGERALD at least until next year.</li>
<li>Somebody caught up to Venric Mark from behind. Seriously, how did that happen?</li>
<li>BOX SCORE TOMFOOLERY: Why and why did Iowa have three punters?</li>
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<p>Anyway I'm going to keep pretending to be in college. Talk more later - we have two weeks to do it!</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/northwestern-wildcats-football/2012/10/28/3567414/quick-thoughts-on-northwestern-iowaRodger Sherman2012-10-28T11:57:48-05:002012-10-28T11:57:48-05:00Plays of the Week: Going Deep
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Northwestern let Kain Colter throw deep against Iowa, with mixed results</p> <p>Coming into Saturday's game against Iowa, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114053/kain-colter" class="sbn-auto-link">Kain Colter</a> had attempted only 15 passes in 4 conference games. That number is somewhat deceptive; it doesn't include scrambles, while it does include <a href="http://smartfootball.com/offense/combining-quick-passes-run-plays-and-screens-in-the-same-play#more-2461" target="_blank">bubble screens</a> and <a href="http://trojanfootballanalysis.com/?p=58" target="_blank">shovel passes</a> that should be considered more a part of the running game than the passing game. Still, Colter's involvement in the passing game had mostly come as a receiver rather than as a quarterback. Against Iowa, Colter got the chance to run the offense almost the entire game. Northwestern's stellar rushing performance is worthy of praise, but he also produced good results in the passing game in spite of throwing his second interception of the season.</p>
<p>Colter's passing line (6-9, 80 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) doesn't do full justice to his performance on passing plays. He was not sacked, and he scrambled effectively, notably picking up a 3rd and 5 and a 3rd and 9 on Northwestern's opening drive by taking off out of the pocket. Much of the passing game was built around short throws and scrambles. Colter only took two shots downfield, an interception and a 47 yard touchdown.</p>
<p>Northwestern led 7-3 when the offense got the ball for the second time. After a swing pass to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114071/venric-mark" class="sbn-auto-link">Venric Mark</a> opened the drive, Colter brings Northwestern to the line with split backs behind him and three receivers split wide. Iowa lines up in (stop me if you've heard this) a 4-3 with a cover-2 shell and a linebacker walked out on the slot receiver. Before the snap, the safety to the offense's right takes a step forward, possibly indicating that he has a responsibility in run support.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642321/NUvIOWAColterINTPresnap.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacolterintpresnap_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642321/NUvIOWAColterINTPresnap_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Colter fakes a handoff to Venric Mark, while <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114065/brandon-vitabile" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Vitabile</a> pulls in the other direction and Tyris Jones takes an initial step towards Mark. The action simulates one of Northwestern's rarer run plays, what I call the whirl option. The run, adapted from an old-school <a href="http://trojanfootballanalysis.com/?p=46" target="_blank">trap option play</a>, is a counter to Northwestern's triple option play out of this formation; what makes it suitable for the play-action pass is the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/a-very-wise-coach-once-told-me-if-you-really-want-play-action-you-better-pull-a-guard" target="_blank">highly visible pulling center</a>, who should convince the linebackers that they are seeing a run-blocking scheme developing.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642381/NUvIOWAColterINTPAFake.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacolterintpafake_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642381/NUvIOWAColterINTPAFake_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>The Iowa safety to the right charges hard at the run action and the linebackers take initial steps to defend the run. Tyris Jones reverses field and heads left as he would on the run. Colter spins as if to follow him before setting up in the pocket. The Iowa defensive line is being handled by the Northwestern offensive line, and the fake has taken one of Iowa's safeties out of the picture. I'm not sure what the route combination is on the offense's left; the receivers switch on their release, and Christian Jones breaks out at about five yards. The outside receiver (I think it is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114055/rashad-lawrence" class="sbn-auto-link">Rashad Lawrence</a>) pushes vertical before leaving the frame.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642413/NUvIOWAColterINTPocket.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacolterintpocket_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642413/NUvIOWAColterINTPocket_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Tony Jones is one-on-one with the corner and has established inside position on a post route. Colter needs to get a bit of air under the throw to ensure that it gets over the Iowa undercoverage. Unfortunately, he is a bit overzealous on that count.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642421/NUvIOWAColterINTThrow.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacolterintthrow_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642421/NUvIOWAColterINTThrow_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>The ball floats over Jones and into the arms of the Iowa defensive back for an interception. Jones could have made a better adjustment to contest for the ball, but the ball was overthrown and behind him. That is a tough combination for a receiver to adjust to. Overall, this play was a schematic win: it got Northwestern's most dangerous deep threat one-on-one with a corner on first down. The problem was execution; either Jones or Colter could have made this a big gain with a better play. Iowa defensive back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113820/b-j-lowery" class="sbn-auto-link">B.J. Lowery</a> also deserves credit for adjusting to the ball and coming up with an interception.</p>
<p>Colter's next downfield shot came in the second half. Leading 21-3, Northwestern got the ball back from Iowa's second straight 3-and-out at the Northwestern 43. A pair of runs and a clutch third down pass to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37226/demetrius-fields" class="sbn-auto-link">Demetrius Fields</a> gave Northwestern a 1st and 10 from the Iowa 47. Northwestern comes out with trips right and a tight end left. Iowa walks a linebacker out over each of the inside receivers and puts a safety over the top. This isn't a very good alignment for defending anything, as it leaves the box undermanned and gives NU favorable matchups on the outside; I can see why so many Iowa fans are frustrated with their defensive scheme.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642445/NUvIOWACJonesTDPresnap.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacjonestdpresnap_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642445/NUvIOWACJonesTDPresnap_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Once again, Colter fakes a run play; this time, it is the cutback play that shredded Indiana. The safety on the trips side doesn't look impressed, but several other defenders are frozen by the run action.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642453/NUvIOWACJonesTDPAFake.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacjonestdpafake_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642453/NUvIOWACJonesTDPAFake_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Northwestern is running 4-verticals, and Iowa is in trouble. The protection is good, and the seven defenders in this image mean that the receivers all have one-on-one matchups downfield. To make things worse, the circled defender is a safety; that means that a linebacker is trying to defend a wide receiver running vertical.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642469/NUvIOWACJonesTDPocket.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacjonestdpocket_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642469/NUvIOWACJonesTDPocket_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Colter sees that Christian Jones is matched up with the linebacker and releases the ball.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642477/NUvIOWACJonesTDThrow.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Nuviowacjonestdthrow_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1642477/NUvIOWACJonesTDThrow_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>This is a great throw on a deep ball. Jones has to slow down a little bit to make the catch, but this means that he is guaranteed a chance at the ball. The defender is hard pressed to make a play on the ball, as he is desperately trying to keep up; this situation is where many defenders get called for pass interference by running straight through the receiver. In this case, Jones adjusts to the throw and makes the catch. The defender makes an attempt at a tackle, but he is off-balance and can only get a handful of jersey as Jones heads into the endzone.</p>
<p>With the running game working and the short passing game less effective than it has been in recent years, plays like these are what Northwestern needs out of the passing game. Both used a run fake that corresponds to a specific play to set up a favorable downfield matchup. The players need to execute these plays like the second one more often, but the idea is good and the talent is there.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2012/10/28/3566484/plays-of-the-week-going-deep-kain-colter-passingMountainTiger2012-10-27T14:16:39-05:002012-10-27T14:16:39-05:00Northwestern 28, Io_a 17
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<figcaption>David Banks</figcaption>
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<p>Northwestern won on homecoming to move to 7-2 (3-2)</p> <p>Order was restored to the B1G as Northwestern won easily over Io_a. The Northwestern offense showed up for the first time since the conference opener against Indiana, rushing for over 350 yards on the day, with both <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114071/venric-mark" class="sbn-auto-link">Venric Mark</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114053/kain-colter" class="sbn-auto-link">Kain Colter</a> going over 150 yards. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114052/trevor-siemian" class="sbn-auto-link">Trevor Siemian</a> didn't see much playing time, and Colter had a decent day throwing the ball (6-9, 80 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT). The highlight of the passing game was a 47 yard touchdown strike from Colter to Christian Jones. The special teams unit came through with a blocked punt to set up an easy touchdown in the third quarter.</p>
<p>On the negative side, the defense struggled with an anemic Io_a offense, allowing <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141955/damon-bullock" class="sbn-auto-link">Damon Bullock</a> to consistently grind out yards on the ground (22 rushes for 107 yards, with a long run of only 9 yards). <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/47760/james-vandenberg" class="sbn-auto-link">James Vandenberg</a> consistently moved the ball until the last Io_a drive, finishing 24-38 for 214 yards. The offense turned the ball over twice, one on a bad overthrow by Colter and one on a bad snap in the red zone.</p>
<p>Bottom line, Northwestern got a comfortable win over an inferior opponent. I will take it.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2012/10/27/3563700/northwestern-wildcats-28-iowa-hawkeyes-17-final-scoreMountainTiger2012-10-27T10:00:58-05:002012-10-27T10:00:58-05:00Northwestern-Iowa game thread
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Homecoming and whatnot and Northwestern playing Iowa and Hawkeyes and football and McGee's and it's too early why why why why why why why</p> <p><span style="line-height: 9px;">It's Saturday! That means football. That means football and I like football. The content of these things is so poor I don't know how any human being could hope to read this but anyway it's homecoming and I'm going to a Northwestern football game I'm going to a Northwestern football game I'm going to a Northwestern football game!</span></p>
<p>I'm going to a Northwestern football game. So yeah!</p>
<p>However, if you're not going to a Northwestern football game, you can write about it on the internet. This is the internet! Sometimes sports happen on the internet. Here is where the sports happen. You can talk about the sports in this internet. Just make sure you don't post links to bad websites or porn or streams and you know whatever.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm finna celebrate by drinking heavily and watching football and listening to this Kendrick Lamar song on a one hour loop. You're free to join? </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2012/10/27/3562510/northwestern-vs-iowa-game-threadRodger Sherman2012-10-26T12:43:49-05:002012-10-26T12:43:49-05:00Northwestern-Iowa prediction threadstravaganza!
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rIQpZaYu_SVngUq8VCTsxmtPyFk=/0x31:4000x2698/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2081963/20121020_jel_sl8_017.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>It's homecoming! Northwestern takes on an Iowa team that has looked super awful of late, but on the other hand, Northwestern's offense has also looked kinda sorta awful too. Who wins?</p> <p>I'm back at college! I slept through my shift of work and forgot to do a preview thread :( :( :( :( :( :(</p>
<p>Let's predict n stuff</p>
<p><b>Cstan5</b></p>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">We always beat Iowa, right? 'Cats move to 8-1 (ATS) with a win by a Touchdown.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"> </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">Northwestern 31-24</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><b>MountainTiger</b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;">Will Northwestern's offense reappear? I doubt it. Iowa's offense is in even worse condition, with their starting running back working through an injury and their best offensive lineman out for the season. Neither team can throw the ball, and both defenses can stop the run. If either team can throw for 200 yards, this game will be a blowout. Instead, it will be a repeat of the Iowa-Michigan State game with better weather. Northwestern wins, 17-13.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><b>Herman</b></div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;">'ve picked NU in every game this year. No reason to stop now. NU's offense needs to get on track, and why not against Iowa? I like how our defense matches up against the Hawkeyes, as our run D has been solid pretty much all year. So, I'll go ahead and pick NU in this one, in a game that the Wildcats badly need.</span>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">NU 28</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">Iowa 14</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><b>Rodger</b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">Iowa sorta sucks, and I refuse to believe Northwestern is dumb enough to keep playing offense in the awful, predictable way they've been playing thus far.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">Northwestern 35, Iowa 24</div>
https://www.insidenu.com/2012/10/26/3559526/northwestern-iowa-football-preview-predictionRodger Sherman2012-10-25T15:42:48-05:002012-10-25T15:42:48-05:00Name of the Week: Iowa
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1JtWoIw7jX0c9miAXohAHyE_vzA=/2x0:998x664/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2027865/134098007.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Francis</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Names this week are a real Duzey! There's a few interesting Sleepers in the pack! Make the right pick, and feel super Martin-Manley!</p> <p>First off, congratulations to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159934/ryker-fyfe">Ryker Fyfe</a> for taking a whopping 52 percent of votes last week. There was really no competition, except for Tyler WullenwubbwubwubWWEEEEEBwob Wullenwaber. So good on that.</p>
<p>In bad news, four of the five people I nominated in last year's Iowa poll are gone, most notably multiple time winner Marvin McNutt, who is now McNutting all over the Philadelphia Eagles.</p>
<p>That left the name pool somewhat depleted, but we'll do what we can.</p>
<p><b>No. 50, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131923/palmer-foster">Palmer Foster</a>, OLB: </b>FRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT</p>
<p>Palmer Foster hasn't played yet in two years as a walk-on. He is not whom the Foster-Walker complex is named after, so don't worry, he's not that suicidally depressing.</p>
<p><b>No. 11, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113838/kevonte-martin-manley">Kevonte Martin-Manley</a>: </b>Coach Ferentz ain't do it right if you aaaaaaaask me - If I was him I'd play KEVONTE MARTIN-MANLEY</p>
<p>Also, his first name is "Kevonte", so there's that. It is a pretty manly name, i guess. He could also appear as the discount store superhero K-MARTMAN.</p>
<p>K-MM is the team's second leading receiver, with 29 receptions and a TD.</p>
<p><b>No. 37, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142540/john-lowdermilk">John Lowdermilk</a>, DB: </b>Lowdermilk sounds gross. This also sounds like the name of a eival bar to John Barleycorn.</p>
<p>Lowdermilk is a backup free safety, who has four tackles on the year.</p>
<p><b>No. 10, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159347/collin-sleeper">Collin Sleeper</a>, DB: </b>Still my SLEEPER for name of the week, amirite guys, high five!</p>
<p>He's a senior DB with two tackles in five games, so, yeah.</p>
<p><b>No. 87, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142551/jake-duzey">Jake Duzey</a>, TE: </b>You're gonna want to wait for this one.</p>
<p>I think this guy - Jake Duzey his name is - I think his name is a real...</p>
<p>doozy</p>
<p>i just don't have the heart for this anymore</p>
<p>vote</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2012/10/25/3555320/name-of-the-week-iowaRodger Sherman