Northwestern University Athletics
Murphy's Mark: Football Home Opener is Saturday!
8/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 27, 2007
Season Opener
Our football team opens the season on Saturday with a home game against Northeastern, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) team from the Colonial Athletic Conference, the same conference that the University of New Hampshire plays in. As I look at our schedule and our team, I think it is very important for us to get off to a good start. With three straight home games, we have a chance to have success early and build confidence for the Big Ten conference schedule. Our team cannot take Northeastern lightly, a team that finished strong last year (including a win over New Hampshire) and returns most of their starters. I encourage all of our fans to come out for these three home games.
Rule Changes
Last year, in an effort to shorten the length of football games, the NCAA made a number of rule changes related to the start of the game clock. The changes were very effective in shortening the length of games, but they also decreased the number of plays in each game -- by almost 15 plays. This year, in an effort to increase the number of plays in each game, the NCAA tweaked the rules. The biggest change is on kickoffs. The ball will now be kicked from the 30-yard line, rather than the 35-yard line. This should result in more returns, which will speed up the game. Last year in Division I-A, 60 percent of the kickoffs were touchbacks. This should be a positive change for fans, as the kickoff return is one of the most exciting plays in the game. It will be interesting to see how coaches respond to the new rules. I anticipate even more pooch and squib kicks.
Big Ten Network
The Big Ten Network officially launches on Thursday, August 30. Much time and effort has been put into planning and developing the Network -- it will be exciting to have it finally on the air. The Network will be a tremendous benefit to our athletic department. We estimate that over 70 of our teams' games will be broadcast this year. The Network is in the middle of negotiations with cable carriers in the Big Ten's eight-state region regarding distribution. They've reached agreements with over 100 cable carriers, but haven't reached agreements yet with the major cable companies, including Comcast. In these negotiations, the major issue is where the Network will be placed on the cable systems. The Network wants to be part of the cable companies' expanded basic package, while the cable companies want to place the Network on a digital sports tier. Many fans have asked me why the Network doesn't just agree to being placed on a sports tier. Sports tiers have very poor penetration (typically 5 percent of the market). If the Network is placed on a sports tier, it will not be possible for the Network to fund the broad programming (Olympic sports, University events) as planned. Our fans should check our web site regularly to see what games will be televised on the Network and where they can get the Network. The Network has a distribution agreement with DirecTV, a satellite company with 16 million homes. The Network is part of DirecTV's basic package. I suggest that our fans, particularly those out of the region, consider DirecTV as an option.
Lakeside Field
Construction is continuing on Lakeside Field, our new soccer/lacrosse/recreation field. We are hoping to have the field ready for our men's soccer team's home opener this Friday. While the field should be ready, it will be several weeks before the entire project (entrance, stands, lights) is completed. This new field will be one of the best venues in the country for college soccer and lacrosse, with spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
