Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!








Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table...

Northwestern Dukes It Out With The Blue Devils. Winning 24-20

by Sam Wenk (Columnist)

6

397 reads

Opinion

September 06, 2008


A few notes, observations, and random facts before and after Northwestern’s 24–20 win over Duke…

 

Pre-game (Wild)Cat Nips

 

  • Tony Pauline of TFYDraft.com on running back Tyrell Sutton’s NFL potential: “He's one of the better third-down backs in the nation heading toward the draft.”
  • I emailed ESPN Draft Expert Mel Kiper Jr. on Wednesday asking for his take on Sutton’s NFL potential:

 

Sam (Bleacher Report.com): What are the scouts saying about Tyrell Sutton's pro-grade?

Mel Kiper:First of all, when he's healthy, Northwestern is a different football team. Their offense at Northwestern is outstanding. Sutton [is] not real big, but when he's healthy, [he is a] really a good football player. He gives them a weapon in the backfield. How does he project to the pro level? I'd say a situational guy. But I think this [Northwestern] can win 8-9 games.”

 

  • Leading up to the game, senior defensive tackle John Gill was named the Wildcats' defensive “practice” player of the week.  Head coach Pat Fitzgerald on Gill’s preparation for Duke: "He was like a man possessed."

 

Post-game (Wild)Cat Nips

  • What an exciting game to watch…oh wait, it wasn’t on television.  At least we could listen, albeit on a random radio station (1160 AM) due to the Cubs vs. Reds game earning first priority on WGN Radio.
  • Quarterback C.J. Bacher didn’t throw an interception this time, but he also didn’t record a touchdown pass and completed only 45 percent of his throws.  He did have an exciting play in the second quarter, when receiver Eric Peterman found Bacher on a 25-yard receiver throwback.
Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

6 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. ...

    Man I'm not sure if I would have wanted to watch this game get all frustrated. I thought that this offense would run over the average, at best, Duke defense but they were held to 327 yards. At least they didn't lose, I agree with Pat...they have a lot of work to do.

    2-0

    Loved the Mel Kiper thing 8 win team? Awesome. As much as many people do not like Mel I think his is great.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    ...

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )
    ...
    • ...

      Thanks for the comment Michael. I was shocked when Kiper emailed me back. The funny thing is he writes like he talks, so at least I know the email was real.

      The Cats need to put this game behind them, even though they won. I thought they'd make a statement by destroying the Blue Devils but too many things went wrong. Unlike last year, they managed to win despite playing below their expected level.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      ...

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )
      ...
  2. ...

    Kudos on the Kiper mini-interview. Now you have a foot in the door in case yu want to do an article on him or use him for another reason. Excellent work.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    ...

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )
    ...
  3. ...

    I once got a response from Peter Gammons and they say he hardly ever responds. So you never know. In fact, I had asked him if Texas would consider trading A-Rod and he said no way, he is untradeable with hsi salary. Oh well, nobody's perfect.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    ...

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )
    ...
  4. ...

    Nice coverage Sam, Way to stay on top of things. I am surprised he responded as well. I wouldn't even know where to go to e-mail Mel, then again Iv'e never looked. Keep up the good work.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    ...

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )
    ...

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

  • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »



    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.