 Running back Omar Conteh snags a 15-yard pass from C.J. Bachér late in the second quarter, setting the Wildcats up for a field goal before the half. Photo by Julie Beck / North by Northwestern. |
Turnovers on four consecutive fourth-quarter drives killed Northwestern’s attempt to reclaim the 16-7 lead it had at halftime. Michigan came from behind and held on to win 28-16.
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NUsports.com play-by-play
Ridiculously short fourth-quarter game log
0:00: Ugh.
0:54: The journalists are packing it up. So is much of the stadium.
3:49: Nailed by two Wolverine defenders, Bachér fumbles the ball away on the NU 45. Four drives, four turnovers. I can see the journos in the room finishing up their storylines for the night.
As a fan, I don’t mind losing, it just kills me that we have good shots at winning games — and we blow them.
5:20: An interception thrown by Bachér, this time caught by Wolverine linebacker Obi Ezeh. Clearly, we can’t complete a pass to save our lives. And 49 seconds of gametime later, Michigan scores another touchdown.
7:38: So this is how Northwestern lets opportunities slip through its fingers: Just as the Wildcats were gaining momentum and started marching down the Michigan side of the field, Bachér lost the ball to Tim Jamison, a Michigan defensive end. Fortunately, Michigan missed their chance at a 39-yard field goal, and an 8-point lead, shortly after that.
9:53: And touchdown Michigan, on a 16-yard pass to receiver Adrian Arrington. That came after Michigan recovered a Northwestern fumble on NU 16.
13:40: I’m no football fanatic, but after the NU defense riled up the student section before a key 3rd-and-8 for Michigan, the Northwestern side was louder than I’ve ever heard it. The subsequent pass was just beyond the grasp of the Wolverine receiver Greg Matthews. Punt it is.
Random thoughts
Media notes: It’s lovely up here in the press box: free food and drinks, and the stadium staff treat you like an actual human being — unlike when you’re a fan in the stands, actively supporting your team. Wonder if they’re getting it backwards then.
ESPN lag: If you ever wondered, ESPN’s Gamecast trails what’s happening on the field by about 2-3 minutes.
This article was frequently updated this afternoon for correct typos and add details.