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The big question - How is their QB, Clayton Thorson, doing with his ACL rehab after the bowl game injury at the end of last year? NU's schedule does not set up well early with an opener @ Purdue, then a big game next with Duke. I think Thorson will be back for their opener and will play against Akron in their third contest. NU has no go to backup QB with experience should Thorson have trouble with his knee. Note that Thorson had 15 passing touchdowns last year, but there were also 12 interceptions. Additionally, NU lost their All Big Ten running back J. Jackson to graduation, but have a 4* sophomore in J. Larkin to replace. Larkin rushed for about 600 yards last year in a back up role. The Cats offensive line, however, is not big, so our defensive will not be out matched like in games at Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State. Northwestern returns their top two receivers in 5"11" Flynn Nagel and 6"4" Bennett Skowronek. Each had about 50 receptions in 2017. On defense NU is about the same size as Akron across the defensive line with exceptional D/E's (Gaziano), and they have some big linebackers (Fisher).Their defensive backfield looks good too with athletic safeties. Summary - If you look at the end of last year and compare the Zips and Northwestern, this 2018 game could be a 30 point blowout with a chance for the Cats to get some badly needed work for their backup QB. I'm hoping we can stay close in this one and are able to move the ball. If our offense stalls, then we are going to experience a long evening. We cannot put our defense in bad situations all night long. We need to score early to build momentum and put pressure on their QB to win. Our first game against the other NU (Nebraska) will tell us more of what to expect in Evanston.

Good point. Yes you are correct about KD. But think about it, his hire supports my opinion. He was a proven, successful coach having led programs at Tiffin, Ashland, Central Michigan and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary HS. He had a history of turning around poor programs. Happy Fourth everyone. Thanks to all vets on this website.

I’ve had my fingers crossed for Deearius Reese for a year now. He’s a good one.

Have some time today, so I went through and added offers for all of our commits so far. Definitely picking up some momentum, as everyone committing now has multiple offers. I think Hilton is still committed, but he seems to be picking up a lot of interest. 2019 commits: Kobe Hilton, OT/DT, 6-4, 260, Farrell HS, Farrell, PA - Akron, Ball St, Buffalo, Miami (OH), Toledo, WMU Tyler Connolly, OL, 6-5, 285, Marysville HS, Marysville, OH - Akron Janil Brown, DT, 6-3, 300, Palm Beach Central HS, Wellington, FL -Akron Jalen Bell, DT, 6-0, 285, Martin Luther King HS, Detroit, MI - Akron Sonny Ray Jones, Jr., RB, 5-11, 185, Ravenna HS, Ravenna, OH - Akron Quan Easterling, TE, 6-2, 235, Archbishop Hoban HS, Akron, OH - Akron, Toledo Jaison Williams, OL, 6-2, 330, Trotwood Madison HS, Trotwood, OH - Akron Jarred Uran, LB, 6-2, 195, LaSalle HS, Cincinnati, OH - Akron, Ball St, BG, EMU, Kent St, Mass, NMSU, NDSU, Ohio. Max Wynn, LB, 6-2, 210, Centerville HS, Centerville OH - Akron, Ball St, Buffalo, CMU, Cinci, EMU, Kent St, Miami (OH), Ohio, Syracuse, Toledo, WMU Kyre Williams, DB, Akron East, Akron, OH - Akron, Buffalo, EMU, Toledo Deearius Reese, DL, Akron East, Akron, OH - Akron, EMU, Kent St, Toledo

Love both of these gets!

LeBron James wrecked the Cavaliers? Really? - Terry Pluto.