Nov. 03--All you needed to see was the game's first play. Iowa's Jonathan Parker bobbled the opening kickoff and broke left. Northwestern's coverage team vacated its lanes. Parker returned it 54 yards, and NU's Jimmy Hall stuck a forearm into Parker when he was obviously out of bounds.
No discipline.
Lose to Michigan at home on Saturday, and Northwestern is all but assured of back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2002-2003.
Offense
F Other than great efforts by tailback Justin Jackson and Mike McHugh, whose one-handed spear along the sideline qualifies as NU's catch of the year, this unit failed in every way possible. A slow-triggered quarterback playing behind a weak offensive line is a recipe for disaster.
Defense
F Zero sacks, zero picks, zero touches on two of Mark Weisman's 8-yard touchdown runs. Safety Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring) was not listed on the injury report but did not play.
Special teams
F Iowa's Ben Niemann easily rejected Chris Gradone's punt. Hunter Niswander replaced Gradone, and his first punt had about two seconds of hang time.
Coaching
F If that's the best this staff can do with two weeks to prepare, this program is in serious trouble.
