There’s a solid amount of positives, even with a 17-point loss.
After a week off following a tough showing against Washington, the Wildcats provided a stiff three-quarter test to No. 23 Indiana. While Northwestern fell 41-24 at home, the ‘Cats were competitive for most of the afternoon and almost kept pace with a tremendous Hoosiers offense. This time around, it was the defense that couldn’t get the job done, but regardless, there were a lot of positives from this one. Here are five things we learned from a surprising offensive showcase.
Jack Lausch – at times – can look like a competent Big Ten quarterback
This is not a Lausch column — we have David Gold for that — but I’d be remiss not to mention the redshirt sophomore’s performance. Northwestern’s quarterback had moments where he looked really solid on Saturday, a marked improvement from his hair-raising Big Ten debut two weeks ago. Lausch made a few legit throws into tight windows and altogether looked more confident operating Lujan’s offense. His success on the ground was encouraging as well. Two weeks ago, he looked unwilling to take off and run — that game had the feeling of a young, mobile quarterback forcing himself to be a pocket passer — but Lausch had no such issues against the Hoosiers.
There was, of course, a lot to improve upon as well. Lausch threw some capital-D ducks. The under-thrown screen to Joseph Himon II in the fourth quarter on a drive where Northwestern needed points to stay in the game was a miss that you don’t usually see in the Big Ten. Yet it was by all accounts a much better showing from the Chicago native, and one that should provide hope that he can continue to improve as Northwestern wades into the deep water of its conference schedule.
The secondary continues to be a weak point
Northwestern had no answer for Kurtis Rourke. The Ohio transfer looked every bit as good as advertised on Saturday to the tune of 380 yards, 3 touchdowns and only eight incompletions. Rourke destroyed the ‘Cats in the RPO game, spamming slant route completions like Cardale Jones playing a 15-year-old heart patient. The Indiana passing attack has looked to be among the best in the country through six weeks — at least numbers-wise — but Saturday was another dark chapter in what has grown to be a trend for the Northwestern passing defense.
Theran Johnson is a gamer
However, it was not all bad from the Wildcat defensive backs. The redshirt junior was a definite bright spot against the Hoosiers.
Johnson’s strong showing carries more weight in the context of his struggles two weeks ago against Washington. Denzel Boston took him to work in the first twenty minutes of that one, beating Johnson one-on-one for both of his two touchdown catches. Johnson was tested early and often again this Saturday, but this time – for the most part – he rose to the occasion.
There are two plays from the fourth quarter that jump out. With just under nine minutes to play, Johnson broke up an out-route intended for Elijah Sarat, swatting the ball from the Indiana wideout’s hands. It was both a cool display of athleticism to stay with the star receiver on an out-route lining up in off-man coverage and an admirable moment of effort to finish the play after Sarat initially got both hands on the football first. Four minutes later, Johnson broke up a deep crosser intended for Omar Cooper Jr. in man-coverage. It was exactly the same set-up – albeit from the opposite side of the field – as Boston’s second touchdown two weeks ago, but this time Johnson made the play. Boston is having a career year with the Huskies and looks like one of the better receivers in the Big Ten, but Cooper Jr. is Indiana’s second leading wideout and a very talented receiver in his own right. Johnson deserves his flowers for a gutsy bounce back performance.
Bryce Kirtz and AJ Henning might be the best wide receiver duo Northwestern has had in a long time
Kirtz and Henning were open A LOT. Kirtz returned to his Week 1 form with his second 100 yard performance of the year, consistently working Indiana’s secondary in the middle of the field. The ten catches are especially encouraging as Kirtz and Lausch did not appear to have a great rapport early on, even in the EIU game. Henning has had a connection with his quarterback since EIU, and he single handedly brought Northwestern back into the ballgame with his 38-yard touchdown in the fourth. These two are more than good and should get most of the plaudits for Northwestern’s relative offensive awakening.
This team can win Big Ten football games
The Northwestern team from the Washington loss brought back some bad memories. A 1-11 season is Northwestern’s Voldemort, but the lifeless offensive showing had even the most delusional of the Wildcat homers searching for wins in the margins. A 41-24 loss against a very good Indiana team in a game that was competitive early in the fourth quarter appears to have assuaged any fears of a 2-10 season. Northwestern’s schedule is formidable, but the team we saw two days ago is absolutely capable of winning games against Big Ten competition.