As the waning moments of the fourth quarter progressed and each desperate Clayton Thorson heave fell to the turf, Northwestern’s chances for a Big Ten West title shriveled up like a raisin in the unseasonably pleasant November sun.
The faraway goal that became a potential reality — albeit an unlikely one — after a strong October had once again become postponed for yet another year. With chances to beat the best opponents on its schedule in back-to-back weeks, the Wildcats came up short. It wasn’t for a lack of effort. They just weren’t quite good enough, quite timely enough, or quite lucky enough to get it done.