Thiry stands out as Wildcats' offensive line enjoys big day
In this season of extremes, no unit has encapsulated Northwestern's split personality better than the offensive line.
The Wildcats' front five has allowed 22 sacks and 45 tackles for loss in the team's 5 losses. They have surrendered only 8 sacks and 29 TFLs in the team's 6 victories.
Saturday turned into a great day for the line, even though it didn't shape up to be. Facing the Big Ten's second best sacks unit (Indiana) and the nation's second-leading sacker (end Greg Middleton, 13.5), NU's line protected C.J. Bacher and opened holes for Tyrell Sutton.
The Wildcats didn't allow a sack for the second time this season and gave up only 3 tackles for loss. Left tackle Dylan Thiry held Middleton to just 6 tackles (1 solo) -- none behind the line of scrimmage.
"Dylan's an aircraft carrier," coach Pat Fitzgerald said of the 6-foot-8, 315-pound senior. "He's tough to get around. He played with great footwork today, great patience."
Thiry was aware of Indiana's ability to free pass rushers with line twists and knew the line needed to work together to seal gaps.
"I know if they're going to take my set, (left guard Adam Crum) is going to be there if the guy comes underneath," Thiry said. "When we get on separate levels, that's when we get in trouble."
The line faces another test at Illinois, which ranks 10th nationally in sacks (3.2 spg) and boasts a star pass rusher in end Will Davis.
Unhappy returns: Pat Fitzgerald didn't soft-pedal NU's coverage meltdown on a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter Saturday. Indiana's James Bailey was barely challenged on his way to the end zone.
NU, which ranks 115th nationally in kickoff coverage (26.2 ypr), also had 2 kickoffs go out of bounds.
"We got three guys get blocked at the point of attack, our safety doesn't keep his outside arm and leg free, our kicker misses a tackle," Fitzgerald said of the scoring return. "To have a couple of (kickoffs) go out of bounds is absolutely inexcusable.
"I put that on me. I spend a lot of time on special teams, more than any other aspect of what I do."
Numbers game: Asked to provide a timetable for a turnaround at Notre Dame, coach Charlie Weis spoke about increasing scholarships.
"You're still in the low 70s right now," Weis said. "You'd like to be sitting at that 85 mark, and we're getting close. Once you get to that point … that gives you more potential, more versatility."
Inches to go: Charlie Weis said freshman wide receiver Duval Kamara will play this week against Duke after missing the Navy game because of "academic issues." … C.J. Bacher needs 277 passing yards to eclipse NU's single-season passing record of 3,622 set by Brett Basanez in 2005.