In another sensational, roller-coaster ride of a bowl game, the Wildcats lost to Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl by a score of 45-38, after a furious, up-and-down fourth quarter that saw the Wildcats come close to overcoming a one-time 21-point deficit. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Northwestern’s 62-year bowl victory drought continues another year. There was reason for optimism in the loss, but also plenty to be fixed as the season’s sour end only got more upsetting.
The defensive implosion is complete
With many of this year’s starters returning next season, the Wildcats have plenty reason to consider 2011 to be a potentially marquee season for the program during which they can finally compete for the conference championship. None of that will matter, however, if the defense does not completely rejuvenate itself. Over the course of the season’s final three games, the Wildcats allowed 163 points while averaging 556 yards allowed per game. As the numbers indicate, it won’t be an easy fix.
The breakdown was not concentrated in either the running or the passing game, making a reversal of fortunes harder to project. After two historically bad games defending the run against Wisconsin and Illinois, it was the secondary’s 369 passing yards allowed that made the difference against Texas Tech. With stalwart defensive tackle Corbin Bryant and standout linebacker Quentin Davie both graduating, it will take a serious infusion of fresh talent to reverse the landslide.
There will be life after Dan Persa
After two shaky games from Evan Watkins, the heir apparent to our beloved IronCat Dan Persa has emerged in the 6-foot frame of true freshman Kain Colter. In frame and play style, Colter evokes Persa far more than the larger, less mobile Watkins, running the ball spectacularly from the quarterback position. Colter has very little polish as a passer, only attempting three passes before Saturday’s bowl game, instead operating mostly out of “Wildcat” packages. Despite the near certainty of the run while Colter is under center, the Red Raiders simply had no answer for the young quarterback, running the ball to the tune of 105 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
Colter’s emergence has added a great deal of intrigue to winter workouts and spring practices; if he can build some arm strength and be more consistent as a passer, there will almost certainly be an open competition for the backup to the soon-to-be-senior Persa.
The 2011 Wildcats could finally have a balanced offense
After a year of Coach Fitz frustrating Northwestern fans with his stubborn insistence on forcing the run game, the coach’s patience has finally paid off. Even with freshman running back Mike Trumpy sidelined with a wrist injury, the Wildcats were able to find outstanding success running the ball, particularly by utilizing an array of freshman ball-carriers. Adonis Smith, after not playing the first half of the season, came on strong and should compete with Trumpy for the starting gig next season after a 61-yard performance in the TicketCity Bowl. Wide receiver Venric Mark’s blazing speed also was displayed on option runs, averaging 7.3 yards a carry on Saturday. But of course, in true Dan Persa fashion, the running game all flowed from the success of the quarterback’s scampering, in this case on Kain Colter’s 105 rushing yards. When Persa returns next fall and defenses are faced with the threat of one of the country’s most accurate passers, you can bet the Wildcats’ run game will flourish even more than they did Saturday against an admittedly ordinary Red Raider defense.