Game Thread: Northwestern vs. Illinois

Fanaticat98

Senior
May 29, 2001
9,088
702
113
This is potentially as dangerous, if they recover an onside kick they can go for the win in regulation…
 

zeek55

Junior
Nov 21, 2010
3,651
277
83
That was about as Cardiac Cats of a game as I've seen in years. So many chances to put it away and so many 2nd chances for Illinois, but we come through on a 2nd onsides kick attempt.

A LoL classic.
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
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HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT HAT
 

Bwm57

All-Conference
Sep 12, 2011
3,737
1,098
103
Wow.
At the beginning of the year I said I would be happy with one win.
I may have been wrong.
 
May 29, 2001
7,258
291
56
Whew! What a crazy game! Cats win! Cats win!
7-5 and a bowl game- who would have thought that this season was even possible. Congrats to the coaches and players for an incredible season. Go Cats!
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
And, finally, Bajakian has some quality purple footage for his interviews. Just show that final drive of the first, and the first drive of the second.
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
47,242
3,633
78
And, finally, Bajakian has some quality purple footage for his interviews. Just show that final drive of the first, and the first drive of the second.

That’s kind of the entire issue with Bajakian… he’s uneven not only week to week but within games as well.
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,749
2,171
113
Thank God!!!!! I thought were going to blow it somehow.
It felt that way at times, but strangely when Illannoys was going for two to tie, I felt that we would stop it somehow... just the way this magical season has gone for Braun.
 

Fanaticat98

Senior
May 29, 2001
9,088
702
113
Thankful for the W. I realize I should hav the perspective of winning ugly this year. Man it is so frustrating to see us fail at the end in:
-offense: instead of running clock we AGAIN throw long and get an INT. Then on the next drive fail to get even 1 yard.
-coaching: not going for a 47 yd FG because field position DID NOT MATTER with the huge chunk plays we were allowing
-special teams not downing a great punt and basically giving up net 10 yards of field position (see above)
- defense giving up a massive explosion TD
- penalty allowing them to try another onside kick. If they recovered that does anyone think in 55 seconds they wouldn’t have scored again to win the game?

I just wish we could put away a game on offense but when it comes to running clock we are either unable to gain more than one yard, we lose yards due to penalty or TFL.
 

RevCat

Freshman
Nov 3, 2010
1,138
53
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And, finally, Bajakian has some quality purple footage for his interviews. Just show that final drive of the first, and the first drive of the second.
I like his outroute to the other team when the game is essentially over. It makes the game exciting. Burning clock when you are 2 scores ahead is so overrated.
 

zeek55

Junior
Nov 21, 2010
3,651
277
83
Thankful for the W. I realize I should hav the perspective of winning ugly this year. Man it is so frustrating to see us fail at the end in:
-offense: instead of running clock we AGAIN throw long and get an INT. Then on the next drive fail to get even 1 yard.
-coaching: not going for a 47 yd FG because field position DID NOT MATTER with the huge chunk plays we were allowing
-special teams not downing a great punt and basically giving up net 10 yards of field position (see above)
- defense giving up a massive explosion TD
- penalty allowing them to try another onside kick. If they recovered that does anyone think in 55 seconds they wouldn’t have scored again to win the game?

I just wish we could put away a game on offense but when it comes to running clock we are either unable to gain more than one yard, we lose yards due to penalty or TFL.
The way their offense was moving with Washington putting up 200+ yards/3TDs, I feel like it was almost a >50% chance that they could have moved the ball again. Just that kind of day.

Onsides kick was the whole thing.
 

NCPurplecat

All-Conference
Aug 3, 2019
1,104
1,070
0
NU wins the HAT to top off a Big 10 West Classic. That is how the Big 10 West was meant to end.
 

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
30,524
786
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What the hell is this decision? Kick the FG!!!
I would have kicked the FG because it ices the game but I think Braun's concern was a potential blocked kick and return. Olsen's kicks were low all night. A mistake but I think that was the thought process.
 

AdamOnFirst

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
10,683
2,073
113
I would have kicked the FG because it ices the game but I think Braun's concern was a potential blocked kick and return. Olsen's kicks were low all night. A mistake but I think that was the thought process.
I’m sure that was the thought process but it’s a terrible one. You have a good to very good kicker, end the game! If you’re going to punt, pass on third down and try to get the first or a much shorter kick!
 

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
30,524
786
0
I’m sure that was the thought process but it’s a terrible one. You have a good to very good kicker, end the game! If you’re going to punt, pass on third down and try to get the first or a much shorter kick!
Agreed. There was a pretty heated disagreement about it on the sidelines. Braun's stats guy who stands behind him with the folder was advocating for the FG and I am pretty sure Braun said No, No, No several times.