Alamo Bowl: Northwestern Losses to Missouri in Overtime

Northwestern lost to Missouri in overtime Monday night December 29, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas at the Valero Alamo Bowl. It was a difficult loss for Northwestern, as they lost when C.J. Bacher fumbled the bowl on 3^rd and goal in overtime. Missouri had scored a touchdown and extra point in overtime, so Northwestern needed the touchdown and extra point to tie and force double overtime.

Instead, the quarterback Bacher fumbled by the ball as he was back pedaling and this set up a desperation attempt on 4^th down to get the ball in the endzone.

As a Northwestern fan, I was very pleased with the performance of the defense throughout the game. The defense was able to contain the run and hold the running back to Washington to only 44 yards on the ground. Further the defense intercepted the ball 3 times from high profile quarterback Chase Daniel.

The defense looked top notch and played better than everyone was expected. Missouri was only allowed a field goal by the offense in the first half. In addition there were no penalties called on any Northwestern players in the first half. Northwestern's kicker Demos mistakenly punted the ball to electrifying Maclin. Maclin ran the ball back for a touchdown, his first punt return touchdown of this college football season.

For Northwestern, Tyrell Sutton lit up the field. He constantly gained 5 or more yards when he ran the ball allowing for Northwestern to have short third downs. Bacher also played very well through the air and was able to connect to receivers Ward, Lane, and Peterman for a TD each. Unfortunatly, field goal kicker Amado Villarreal missed an extra point in the third quarter. The ball kicked the right upright and fell short. If this extra point would have been made it would have forced Missouri to need a touchdown, instead of a field goal at the end of the game. This would have changed the outcome of the game and overtime likely would not have resulted.

Even so, the Northwestern loss is most disappointing to Northwestern fans because of the play calling that cost them the game. Northwestern dominated the time of possession clock throughout the entire game. This caused Missouri's high scoring offense to stay off the field. Missouri also had difficulty stopping the run. If Sutton would have been given the ball more often I firmly believe Northwestern would have one.

On many instances on 3^rd and a few yards in the second half of the game, Sutton either was not on the field, or lined up as a receiver in a 5 receiver formation. I feel that Sutton should have ran the ball in these instances. In addition, before the end of the second quarter, Northwestern was driving and had the ball. They should have milked the clock and never have given Missouri the chance to return the ball for the touchdown on a punt.

Northwestern, also had another opportunity to milk the clock with the run late in the fourth quarter. Again many pass plays were called. What was most surprising to me was failing to score a touchdown in overtime. Missouri had trouble stopping the run all day. Northwestern could have brought in backup quarterback Mike Kafka who had 217 yards rushing earlier in the season against Minnesota. If Northwestern would have consistently ran with Sutton and Kafka the 25 yards needed for the touchdown, I feel that Missouri would not have been able to stop them. They were in four down territory.

The result of the game ended in a Missouri win in overtime. Missouri was expected to beat Northwestern by multiple scores and this certainly did not happen. Even more surprising was that Northwestern looked better all game than Missouri. They had more total yardage and controlled the time of possession. This end has to be disappointing to both Missouri and Northwestern fans. As Northwestern failed to win their second bowl game in history and Missouri failed to have the much anticipated great season.