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| urbangrounds.com |
As NU prepares for its third game of the season, the team is well aware that Army presents a challenge despite being vastly undersized. Army runs the always complicated triple option offense. And Fitz knows that his front seven will be tested on Saturday. Moreover, the defense lines up in at 46 set – made famous by the 1985 Chicago Bears. The Cats outmatch the Army from a personnel standpoint, but this week the team will need to focus on execution because Army’s gameplan is so completely different than anything that NU sees. Fitz even admits “You’re not going to stop the run this week. They are going to get their yards.” The focus for NU will be containing the Army offense, instead. This will be a tricky task to accomplish in one week.
Even though the Cats sit at 2-0, Fitz sees the problems in the team’s execution thus far. Here are some of his comments at his weekly news conference:
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| annarbor.com |
· On Jeff Budzein’s missed field goal: “Would I like to see Jeff make that kick? Absolutely. But I also put him in a tough situation by design. Forty-five into the wind. Not a great situation. But I like how he responded to it and that's part of the whole process of the journey of a young kicker."
· On EIU’s 76-yard touchdown pass against the starting defense: “It was a route we expected to see. They ran it exactly the way we saw it and we just had a couple men break down and they made a big play. That happens. You'd prefer it didn't happen. But, like I said after the game, we've got to coach it better and that's frustrating."
· On Kain Colter: "I really like the maturation of Kain, I think he's played really well. He's learning each week and doing the things young quarterbacks need to do to improve. He did some nice things Saturday taking what the defense game him. He checked it down, big first down with Jacob Schmidt and getting the ball to our backs a few times when they were playing two (down linemen) and really dropping everyone else off. That showed some maturity. Other guys'll force it and he didn't. I'm proud of him for that."
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| scout.com |
Finally, for the second week in a row, NU linebacker Bryce McNaul will have some extra inspiration. Bryce’s brother Austin is an Army Ranger stationed in Afghanistan. Last week, with the American flag decal on the helmets, Bryce made an interception on top of the star spangled “N” at the 50 yard line. Hopefully, Bryce can have a similarly inspired game against his brother’s comrades at West Point.
Recruiting Notes
NU commit Malin Jones had a monster night at tailback last weekend. Jones ran for 242 yards and four touchdowns in Joliet Catholic’s 63-34 win over Peoria Richwoods.
Fitz often talks about the character of the players he recruits, and no one could be a better example than linebacker Jaylen Prater, who committed to NU last month. Prater’s high school, Wellston high in southern Ohio, was recently featured on ESPN’s “Rise Up”, where ESPN and Chris Spielman help a run-down high school program to improve their athletic facilities. Prater is featured in the program, where he speaks about choosing to stay in his hometown, even though his football talents might be better served if his family moved to a better situation. His family also speaks about the importance of the academic part of his football scholarship. Jaylen should be a great fit at NU and it is no wonder why he impressed Fitz and his staff.
Stud defensive end Faith Ekakitie has reduced his favorite list to six. The Illinois prospect for 2012 is down to NU, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Oregon, and UCLA. Here’s hoping for the hometown discount. Finally, three-star CB Nana Kyeremeh has reduced his college list to three, which includes NU.
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| usatoday.net |
Big Ten Power Rankings
Legends Division
1 Michigan State (+1): Michigan State will be tested by a Notre Dame team with a very dangerous offense – if it can hold on to the ball. MSU is the most impressive team in the Legends through two weeks, and can solidify that role with a strong performance in South Bend.
2 Nebraska (-1): Every team has bad weeks, and maybe it is unfair to downgrade Nebraska after their performance against Fresno. But they were losing in the fourth quarter – and their vaunted defense gave up 29 points at home. There is plenty of time to see, but this was an early sign of chinks in the armor.
3 Northwestern: NU has been one of the most consistent teams in the conference so far, along with Illinois and Wisconsin. While the running game is a pleasant surprise, the pass defense needs to improve in order to keep this ranking in the Big Ten season.
4 Michigan (+1): Without question, Michigan played in one of the most exciting game you will ever see on Saturday. But it was also one of the ugliest – with penalties and turnovers plaguing both Michigan and Notre Dame. Time will tell the story of these two teams, but at this point, EVR says buy Michigan only with extreme caution.
5 Iowa (-1): Losing to Iowa State is unacceptable, even if it is a rivalry game. This game only goes to show that Iowa just does not have the talent that it has enjoyed over the last few years. Iowa will get its wins, but it will not be a pretty year for them. Saturday against Pitt is a must win.
6 Minnesota: First off, Jerry Kill is expected to be back on the sidelines on Saturday against Miami of Ohio; which is great news considering he suffered a seizure on the sideline Saturday while Minnesota was driving to tie the game. Best wishes to Kill. But the fact that the Gophers were driving to tie the game at that point earns them the 6 spot.
Leaders Division
1 Wisconsin: More of the same for the Badgers. Wisconsin made another statement against a down-and-out Oregon State squad. After two weeks, they are clearly the best team in the league.
2 Illinois: The Illini will finally be tested this week against Arizona State – in one of the most underrated games of the weekend. If Illinois can continue to play at this level, they will have a lot to say in the Leaders Division race.
3 Ohio State: The Buckeyes narrowly escaped a historic loss to Toledo over the weekend, and it is not going to get any easier as they travel to Miami on Saturday. But the lack of focus and execution in light of the off-the-field issues is something that Buckeye fans are going to need to get used to in 2011.
4 Penn State: No one expected that with Penn State playing at home the result would be worse than it was against Alabama last year – but it was. The Lions are a team that needs an identity right now – and naming a starting quarterback will go a long way towards accomplishing that. Surviving Temple this weekend will be no small task.
T-6 Purdue (-1): Yes, EVR is not even giving either of the Indiana teams the 5 spot after their start. Purdue lost to Rice. There is no excuse for that. This is a program on the brink of disaster right now.
T-6 Indiana: The Hoosiers had their game in hand until a late meltdown gave Virginia the win. Indiana needs a miracle to get bowl eligible at this point and four wins would have to be considered a success now in Kevin Wilson’s first year.
Go Cats!
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