Northwestern started off the 2013 season 4-0, with high hopes of a Big 10 Championship appearance and anticipation of a return to the Rose Bowl. Even though they now ride a three-game losing streak, the Wildcats still have time to make it happen. But maybe it’s time we focus on the scoreboard clock rather than the calendar.
The phenomenal start of the year had us looking far into the promising future, and it may have cultivated some complacency in the last three games: a heartbreaking fourth quarter loss to Ohio State, a landslide defeat by Wisconsin and a disappointing performance against Minnesota. In each of those matchups, the Wildcats were at one time leading before falling behind.
Ohio State trailed us by a touchdown going into halftime at Homecoming, but we then watched the Buckeyes score 27 points and continue their undefeated season.
Earlier this month in Wisconsin, a field goal barely five minutes into the game put the Wildcats on the scoreboard first. After that the Badgers essentially shut us down, amassing 35 total points and allowing us only one more field goal.
Although the contest with Minnesota last Saturday was less of a blowout, we still saw the pattern of starting strong, then wearing thin. Northwestern scored a touchdown at the end of the first quarter and the Gophers had tied it up by halftime. Unlike Minnesota, however, the Wildcats failed to regain control, turning the ball over three times and giving up 13 more points.
This weekend, though, the Wildcats have a chance at redemption in Iowa, another Big 10 foe. The Hawkeyes have the same 4-3 overall record as us and have been experiencing the same second half struggles.
In the first game of their season, Iowa led Northern Illinois by 7 before letting up 13 points and finally losing by three. They also were ahead at halftime in their Michigan State and Ohio State games, but both matchups saw the Hawkeyes decline in offensive prowess and lose by considerable margins.
Two of their victories also show this pattern: they narrowly defeated Iowa State 27-21, albeit they were ahead 20-7 after the third quarter. In their 28-14 win against Missouri State, Iowa had shut out the Bears until the fourth quarter, when they allowed two back-to-back TDs.
Despite the course of these games, Iowa’s offense still averages 417 yards and 29.7 points and their defensive line permits just 88 rushing yards.
To reassert ourselves this Saturday, we must capitalize on our endurance to command the second half. If Northwestern wants to play in the Big Ten Championship, we’ve got to play the full game of every game along the way.
Four quarters. Sixty minutes.
Tick. Tock.
Image from:
– dailynorthwestern.com