Northwestern's Offensive Scheme

[Sparlimb]

I think Northwestern played the best offensive game against us this year of any team we've played. They consistently were getting 10 yard plays and moving down the field. They had two drives sixteen plays long in the first half and went 97 yards in the 2nd half. I was really impressed with their offense today especially with how good our offense has been. We really needed that special teams play to win the game because I'm not sure we were going to win on offense alone. That said, we had some outstanding tackling on defense on some of those short out throws which led to punts. So not taking away from our defense, just felt Northwestern knew what they were doing against us. They impressed me today and I'm sure glad we won and don't need to see them again.

 

[jaymil]

I agree. Their true freshman RB is impressive and Siemian was better than I expected. Our D still played well and was our typical "bend but don't break" defense, but our D looked a lot more dominant against Michigan than it did today. Botticeli not recovering that fumble was huge though, we probably give up 7 less points if he snatches that thing after the Amaefula sack.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

If you stop and think about it, NW's 1st TD came after the Gophs had a chance (and failed) to recover a fumble. Their 2nd TD came after a drive was sustained by a roughing-the-passer penalty. Take away those two plays, and NW might not have scored a TD.

 

[Goldy Gopher]

I think Northwestern played the best offensive game against us this year of any team we've played. They consistently were getting 10 yard plays and moving down the field. They had two drives sixteen plays long in the first half and went 97 yards in the 2nd half. I was really impressed with their offense today especially with how good our offense has been. We really needed that special teams play to win the game because I'm not sure we were going to win on offense alone. That said, we had some outstanding tackling on defense on some of those short out throws which led to punts. So not taking away from our defense, just felt Northwestern knew what they were doing against us. They impressed me today and I'm sure glad we won and don't need to see them again.

Part of the reason was they were somehow able to get away with a lot of holding. Many times on their run plays their lineman would just wrap up our LBs like they were making a tackle and hold them outside when they went to block them, I noticed Wilson had holes in his jersey from being held so much. Like others have said too the first TD drive Botticelli should have recovered a fumble and the last TD drive Cockran was held in the end zone on the 3rd down at the beginning of the drive and it should have been a safety but it was ignored and the personal foul penalty to extend the drive was also a pretty bad call. I was just glad to see this team overcome the bad reffing and still find a way to get the win.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Siemian threw the ball very well today. On many of the completions there was only one spot he could put it and he did.

 

[50PoundHead]

I thought they used our aggressiveness against us really effectively. Jackson is the real deal. He's a true running back and not just a fast guy like Venric Mark.

I've never thought much of Siemian, but he threw some nice balls today. Some really nice back shoulder throws.

I don't know if playing the LBs "softer" would have helped against the cutbacks and screens, but it will be interesting to see how Northwestern's future opponents play them.

 

[Replacement Gopher]

TCU

 

[Mulligan]

If you stop and think about it, NW's 1st TD came after the Gophs had a chance (and failed) to recover a fumble. Their 2nd TD came after a drive was sustained by a roughing-the-passer penalty. Take away those two plays, and NW might not have scored a TD.

They also got two long plays called back because the right tackle couldn't line up. Sort of evens out. Like the OP said, glad we don't see them again.

 

[killme]

I bet Simeon played his best game. The Northwestern coaching staff did a great job of making this game closer than in could have been. I think Gophers are on the verge, but still haven't realized how good they really are. I think they might be guilty of putting too much stock in preseason pundits who didn't think they were this good.

 

[cncmin]

Northwestern's offensive game plan was really impressive. Gophers had no idea what was coming next. Simian made some outstanding throws today, man oh man was he on. The NU receivers dropped a few catchable balls, but then also made several unexpected catches as well (e.g., Prater's grab that was overturned into a completion).

And yet, as other posters have pointed out, NU only scored their TDs when the Gophers missed a fumble recovery, and when the refs extended NU's drive on a pretty awful call.

I'm curious how many teams the rest of the season will have the Gophers' defense as seemingly surprised as they were today.