Tyrell Sutton and the Cats are looking to reach for a 4-0 mark for the first time since 1962 (courtesy/Chicago Tribune)They're Not Booing Him...They're Booooooing Him!
The Ohio Bobcats need no introduction to the average college football fan this season. Two weeks ago, they nearly ruined the "game of the year of this week" between Ohio State and USC with a monumental upset at the Shoe. Ohio, coached by former Nebraska head coach, Frank Solich, had the Buckeyes on the ropes, but their 5 turnovers killed them in the end in a 26-14 loss. Boo Jackson sent Cats' fans who watched that game into a bad place evoking stark images of Sam Ricketts and Miami (Ohio) circa 1995. Jackson relieved then starter Theo Scott who left the game after being plowed into the ground by Ohio State. Jackson proceeded to give the Buckeyes fits by eluding sack after sack and making positive plays. He couldn't throw worth a lick, that is, until last week when he lit up a Central Michigan team picked to win the MAC this year.
The Bobcats are 0-3 and are certainly the best winless team in America. Solich has scheduled a brutal September - and after a 1-point loss to Wyoming, a near upset at Ohio State and a heart-breaker at home last week against CMU, one thing is for certain - Ohio will not be intimidated on Saturday. Jackson is the heart and soul of the offense, and after a poor passing performance at Ohio State (9-25, 86 yards, 3 INT, 0 TDs), but a solid rushing day (55 yards), Boo sent a major scare to the Chippewas "D". Check out his stat line LAST week - 17-31, 365 yds, 3 TDs, O INTs and 48 yards rushing on 9 carries. Wow. The Bobcats really have no other rushing attack as Chris Garrett and Donte Harden split duties and as a team they average 110 ypg on the ground. Garrett and Harden are both big threats on kickoff returns, but the Bobcats have struggled to put the ball in the endzone (20 ppg). Taylor Price is the primary threat at wideout with 6 rec, 78 yards.
For the first time I can remember - actually since Michigan State last year - I have a quiet confidence about this game. Yes Ohio is a threat. However, I believe our defense is steadily improving and has learned how to keep points off the board and our offense is ready to explode. Cats win. Big time. Much more to come, but in the meantime as I try to figure out where Andrew Brewer disappeared to, here is the tale of the tape:
| CATEGORY | Northwestern | NCAA Rank | Ohio | NCAA Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 164.7 | 47 | 110.7 | 96 |
| Passing Offense | 217.0 | 64 | 240.7 | 48 |
| Total Offense | 381.7 | 57 | 351.3 | 75 |
| Scoring Offense | 29.0 | 54 | 20.7 | 85 |
| Rushing Defense | 128.3 | 61 | 130.7 | 65 |
| Passing Defense | 196.7 | 51 | 194.0 | 52 |
| Total Defense | 320.0 | 53 | 324.7 | 56 |
| Scoring Defense | 12.3 | 19 | 26.0 | 80 |
| Net Punting | 35.1 | 52 | 28.9 | 110 |
| Kickoff Returns | 21.6 | 58 | 25.5 | 19 |
| Punt Returns | 9.6 | 60 | 7.5 | 74 |
They're Not Booing Him...They're Saying Muuuuuuussssssoooooo!
This can't be a coincidence. Brian Musso will be at Randy Walker Terrace this Saturday at halftime signing autographs of a Musso poster that will be handed out at the game. Funny, considering whenever I hear "Ohio" in football I instantly think of the Ryan Field opener in 1996 when Dennis Fitzgerald applied the biggest cheap shot I've ever seen at Northwestern on a Brian Musso punt return. Come to think of it, Musso was hit so hard - when the ball was still not even close and Musso's head was cocked skyward in anticipation of a punt return - I thought his head was going to end up where he'll be signing autographs. It was scary, yet somehow Mr. Tough Guy popped right back up. Gary Barnett went nuts and the 40,000 + (and yes school was three weeks away from being in session) were right there with him. Barnett went all the way to midfield to challenge the Ohio coaching staff. Let's hope Moose gets to watch the Cats extend the alltime series to 3-1 in favor of the purple.
Early Line
In what could be a potential disaster weekend for the Big Ten (many "no name" opponents that are competitive - Ball State, Florida Atlantic, Troy), the Cats are among the highest point spreads on the board (for Big Ten teams). The Cats are favored by 10 1/2 over Ohio.
3 comments:
Musso made one of the greatest catches I've ever seen live, against Iowa in Evanston in 1997 in the snow....they show it now in the team intro video pre-game.
Musso goes up between two Iowa defenders, reaches out with one arm, pulls the ball in, spins, and runs for the TD as both Iowa defenders fall helplessly to the ground.
Let's hope Musso's tough spirit and sticky hands inspire Peterman, Lane, Sutton, Brewer, and the rest of the Wildcat receivers on Saturday and the rest of the season....
I remember that hit VIVIDLY! I agree with you 100% LTP that it was the cheapest shot I've ever seen...even to this day. I was in the camera deck, right next to the NU coaches box, and I think all of us were ready to leap out of the box. I swore a blue streak up & down, and the Ohio video guy, who was right next to me, didn't say a word, because he knew I was right. I remember Barnett practically running out from underneath his headset.
Wow, that's funny call it what you want. Brian musso never ever signaled for a fair catch before in his life time. But, after that hit we see his hand in the air. Don't forget about the 20 tackles. The forced fumble on the big tight-end. And the one on one goal line stop versus heisman trophy candidate Darnell Autry. Things happen in football good and bad.
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