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jonvi
La Familia Ohana
If you’re a little happy because Colter and and Mark are questionable….
Starting Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter lasted two plays against California, and the Wildcats amassed 508 yards of offense anyway. So it’s not as if Northwestern can’t figure things out with Siemian getting the bulk of the work.
Although he's technically a back-up, Siemian has had plenty of experience in Northwestern's dual quarterback system and actually threw more passes last year than Colter, completing 128-of-218 for 1,312 yards and six touchdowns.
Senior RB Venric Mark. is a little dinged up, coach Pat Fitzgerald told reporters after Saturday’s victory, and he was used judiciously on offense and not at all on punt returns.
In his stead, Treyvon Green rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Veteran reserve Mike Trumpy, who managed a respectable 4.6 yards a carry last season, had 27 yards on four attempts against California.
Northwestern lost three starters on its offensive line, but the two returnees are in crucial positions: Left tackle Jack Konopka and center Brandon Vitabile (SI Article).
Guards Geoff Mogus (sophomore) and Ian Park (redshirt freshman) will be around for a while. Right tackle Paul Jorgensen played primarily on special teams and in goal-line situations the last two years (even catching a touchdown against Illinois on a tackle-eligible play) before securing a starting job this season.
The Wildcats will also be without starting cornerback Daniel Jones. Jones will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Northwestern will likely use redshirt freshman Dwight White in his place.
Key’s to winning:
Defense. It looks at least for the immediate future, the SU defense is going to have to carry the load.
The SU defense will need another good performance. If not for getting burned on two or three plays, the defense would have gotten a B+ in their performance against Penn State. SU’s D must not allow big plays against this big play team.
The offense must get on track soon. And it starts on first down.
No first-down play call resulted in at least five yards in the first half of the 23-17 loss to Penn State. In fact, only three plays met that criteria: the 55-yard completion to Jeremiah Kobena early in the third quarter to set up Jerome Smith's 10-yard touchdown run and an 11-yard run by Smith late in the fourth quarter.
The O line must open holes for the running backs and close the holes on pass protection. Both were suspect in the Penn State Game.
The coaches must get the play in. Communication was a problem for SU. I’m not sure what the cause of the miscommunication was, but it must be fixed by this Saturday.
Drew Allen must keep the ball in play. Three or four long passes sailed out of bounds. If the ball is not on the playing field, it doesn’t matter how good of an arm he has. It wasn’t all bad for Allen. He spread the ball out to 9 different receivers for the Orange.
These guys need to see the ball more:
Brisly Estime. The ball came to him once which he dropped. The pass was too far in front of Estime, but catchable. The man has real speed.
George Morris II. Mostly slotted as the Kick off specialist, he didn’t get many attempts against PSU. The two he did run out of the end zone, he got across the 35. He also lined up in the backfield and got one rushing attempt for 4 yards. The guy has a gear that only Estime can beat. SU needs speed. And this young man has a bunch of it.
Ashton Broyld saw some action leading the Orange with 4 receptions at 46 yards. Any way to get the ball in his hands, I'll be happy.
Jonvi’s take. There isn't anything easy opening the season with games against PSU and NW. But like the PSU game, this one is winnable. The NW line is not a big as PSU. There defense is ok...but not great. The offense is dinged up.
It doesn't have to be a perfect game for the offense, but they have to come together as a unit.. A different approach to first down….Open up the playbook coach. The players are there....get the plays in and let them win the game.
And another solid defensive performance. Don't give up the big play. Keep the game between the 20's.
Starting Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter lasted two plays against California, and the Wildcats amassed 508 yards of offense anyway. So it’s not as if Northwestern can’t figure things out with Siemian getting the bulk of the work.
Although he's technically a back-up, Siemian has had plenty of experience in Northwestern's dual quarterback system and actually threw more passes last year than Colter, completing 128-of-218 for 1,312 yards and six touchdowns.
Senior RB Venric Mark. is a little dinged up, coach Pat Fitzgerald told reporters after Saturday’s victory, and he was used judiciously on offense and not at all on punt returns.
In his stead, Treyvon Green rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Veteran reserve Mike Trumpy, who managed a respectable 4.6 yards a carry last season, had 27 yards on four attempts against California.
Northwestern lost three starters on its offensive line, but the two returnees are in crucial positions: Left tackle Jack Konopka and center Brandon Vitabile (SI Article).
Guards Geoff Mogus (sophomore) and Ian Park (redshirt freshman) will be around for a while. Right tackle Paul Jorgensen played primarily on special teams and in goal-line situations the last two years (even catching a touchdown against Illinois on a tackle-eligible play) before securing a starting job this season.
The Wildcats will also be without starting cornerback Daniel Jones. Jones will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Northwestern will likely use redshirt freshman Dwight White in his place.
Key’s to winning:
Defense. It looks at least for the immediate future, the SU defense is going to have to carry the load.
The SU defense will need another good performance. If not for getting burned on two or three plays, the defense would have gotten a B+ in their performance against Penn State. SU’s D must not allow big plays against this big play team.
The offense must get on track soon. And it starts on first down.
No first-down play call resulted in at least five yards in the first half of the 23-17 loss to Penn State. In fact, only three plays met that criteria: the 55-yard completion to Jeremiah Kobena early in the third quarter to set up Jerome Smith's 10-yard touchdown run and an 11-yard run by Smith late in the fourth quarter.
The O line must open holes for the running backs and close the holes on pass protection. Both were suspect in the Penn State Game.
The coaches must get the play in. Communication was a problem for SU. I’m not sure what the cause of the miscommunication was, but it must be fixed by this Saturday.
Drew Allen must keep the ball in play. Three or four long passes sailed out of bounds. If the ball is not on the playing field, it doesn’t matter how good of an arm he has. It wasn’t all bad for Allen. He spread the ball out to 9 different receivers for the Orange.
These guys need to see the ball more:
Brisly Estime. The ball came to him once which he dropped. The pass was too far in front of Estime, but catchable. The man has real speed.
George Morris II. Mostly slotted as the Kick off specialist, he didn’t get many attempts against PSU. The two he did run out of the end zone, he got across the 35. He also lined up in the backfield and got one rushing attempt for 4 yards. The guy has a gear that only Estime can beat. SU needs speed. And this young man has a bunch of it.
Ashton Broyld saw some action leading the Orange with 4 receptions at 46 yards. Any way to get the ball in his hands, I'll be happy.
Jonvi’s take. There isn't anything easy opening the season with games against PSU and NW. But like the PSU game, this one is winnable. The NW line is not a big as PSU. There defense is ok...but not great. The offense is dinged up.
It doesn't have to be a perfect game for the offense, but they have to come together as a unit.. A different approach to first down….Open up the playbook coach. The players are there....get the plays in and let them win the game.
And another solid defensive performance. Don't give up the big play. Keep the game between the 20's.