Don't call it a comeback

October 31, 2020

If NU’s first game against Maryland was a textbook example of how potent Pat Fitzgerald’s team could be, the Cats’ start against Iowa was a script right out of a horror movie. NU found itself down 17 at the end of the first quarter and looking for answers.

While the offense continued to search for its identity throughout the course of the second game, the Cats’ defense established its personality quickly. NU cut into the deficit by halftime and trailed 20-14 heading into the final 30 minutes. The offense was able to muster one more touchdown in the third quarter to take the lead. But it was the defense that stole the show on Halloween.

The senior leadership on the defense left the Hawkeyes bewildered. Senior safety J.R. Pace led a defense that gave up just 104 yards and no points in the second half. He had six tackles and a tackle for loss, the Irish Law Firm linebacker trio of Chris Bergin, Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher each had double-digit tackles, with Gallagher snagging the game-clinching interception.

Gallagher’s interception was one of three that the Cats’ defense had in the second half — redshirt freshman safety Brandon Joseph had the others.

Bend, but don't break

November 7, 2020

The Cats’ defense struggled to stop Nebraska’s offense from moving the ball down the field in Week 3. It was an uncharacteristically productive performance from an opposing offense — the Cornhuskers rumbled for 442 yards, 125 more than NU’s offense had. They had 28 first downs, double that of the Cats. They scampered for 224 rushing yards, more than the NU defense gave up in any regular-season game.

But, when it mattered the most, the Cats came up with crucial stops and plays on their side of the field to halt any Nebraska scoring opportunities. With the Cornhuskers driving deep into NU territory midway through the third quarter, the Huskers had the chance to take the lead until a Joseph interception stopped Adrian Martinez in his tracks.

Nebraska pieced together another stable drive two possessions later — this time led by Luke McCaffrey — and found itself with an opportunity to score in the Cats’ red zone. This time around, it was Chris Bergin who saved the day. McCaffrey’s pass ricocheted off a Nebraska helmet right into the waiting hands of Bergin. Once again, the linebackers stole the show, combining for 38 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.

The Cornhuskers turned the ball over on downs on their final drive with less than seven seconds remaining and it essentially iced the game for NU. It wasn’t the prettiest game for the defense, but it found a way to win.

Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, for three!

November 14, 2020

Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman had one receiving touchdown in his first three seasons at NU — and it came in his freshman campaign in 2017. His touchdown drought carried into the first three games of his senior season.

But when it rains, it pours.

And on a bleak, rainy Saturday night in West Lafayette, Chiaokhiao-Bowman’s performance against Purdue looked like an offensive flood. He set the tone on the first drive catching a touchdown pass from Ramsey to put the Cats ahead.

Chiaokhiao-Bowman added two more touchdowns over the next two quarters to put together the best game of his collegiate career. He walked off the field with eight catches for 86 yards to accompany his three touchdowns in NU’s 27-20 victory over the Boilermakers.

Ramsey and Chiaokhiao-Bowman developed a well-established rapport that started when the weather turned warm in the spring and paid dividends as the air turned crisp and cool in the fall. Chiaokhiao-Bowman finished the season leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves

November 21, 2020

Then-No. 19 NU’s Week 5 matchup against then-No. 10 Wisconsin lived up to its billing as a battle between two stout defenses. Both teams entered the game ranked in the top-11 in the country in points allowed and total defense. Both had celebrated defensive coordinators in Mike Hankwitz and Jim Leonhard. Both had All-Big Ten players on their respective defenses.

But early on, it looked like the Cats’ offense wanted to send a message to the Badgers’ defense. Ramsey and the crew marched down the field methodically on the first drive and immediately capitalized with a Ramsey touchdown pass to junior tight end Charlie Mangieri. It was the fourth time in the first five games that the Cats had reached the end zone on the opening drive.

The game could’ve been blown open had it not been for an Isaiah Bowser fumble on the 1-yard line on the next drive. Neither team could garner any success offensively aside from two more sparse touchdown drives in the first half.

NU stayed hot on defense, forcing five turnovers and making Wisconsin freshman quarterback Graham Mertz look uncomfortable for most of the game. The Cats came into the game ranked No. 19, but with a statement win on the national stage, Fitzgerald’s team put itself on the national radar.

Newsome shines while NU takes a step back

November 28, 2020

Every group needs a leader. Someone who leads by his words and actions on the field. Junior Greg Newsome was that guy for the Cats’ Sky Team. Newsome has his best stretch of the second from the Nebraska game through the Wisconsin game — 77 coverage snaps, 11 targets, 1 catch allowed and 1 interception.

Newsome proved that he was one of the elite corners in the Big Ten throughout the season and made a case to be one of the best in the country. He exuded confidence all season and his secondary mates followed suit.

Unfortunately for the Cats against Michigan State, their defense didn’t play at an elite level like fans had been accustomed to throughout the season. The Spartans picked up 362 yards of offense against NU and didn’t have many answers for Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi.

But Newsome stood out once again with two passes defended against Michigan State. In a game that also featured Spartans cornerback Shakur Brown, Newsome made it clear that he was the lockdown corner of the conference. Newsome was named a third-team AP All-American.

The rook takes the reigns

December 12, 2020

Northwestern came into the season with their most position depth at running back, but question marks persisted for most of the year.

Bowser was the lead back, but missed the Nebraska game with a knock and lost his spot midway through the season after his fumble against Wisconsin. Senior running back Jesse Brown shined against Iowa, but battled injuries. Sophomore Drake Anderson led the team in carries throughout the season. But when he fumbled on the opening play against Illinois, the coaching staff turned to true freshman Cam Porter — and he didn’t disappoint.

Porter had just eight carries in the team’s first five games, but scored a touchdown against Michigan State out of the Wildcat formation. So against Illinois, Bajakian dialed up a heavy dose of the true freshman out of the Wildcat. He ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

His performance earned him his first career start in the Big Ten Championship Game seven days later. Although he didn’t have the same caliber performance, Porter has put himself in a position to be the starter in 2021 with his play.

Did he just catch that?!

December 19, 2020

It’s hard to find just one word to describe Brandon Joseph’s interception in the second quarter of the Big Ten Championship game. Astonishing. Inconceivable. Jaw-dropping. Those would be a couple of fitting ones among others.

It’s pretty difficult to pick off Justin Fields. Only seven players in college football have done it over his three-year career and he’s only thrown an interception in four of his 32 games played.

But with Ohio State threatening in NU territory at the end of the first half, Joseph made a game-changing play — leaping in the air with Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson right behind him and snatching the ball with one hand. It was arguably the greatest play of the Cats’ season and even though they didn’t ultimately win the game, it capped off a first half that went as well as Fitzgerald could have imagined.

The secondary was one of the bright spots for the team during the Big Ten Championship Game. They combined for 5 passes defended as a position group and held Fields to just 114 passing yards and zero touchdowns even with Newsome leaving the game at halftime.

But Joseph’s play will go down as one of the best in the program’s history.