A few days removed from the game and I am more optimistic than I originally thought. The first game is always hard to truly judge how a team is gonna perform long term. The Griz did start out similar to last year with the defense not playing up to speed for the first few games, bad angles, over pursuing and it cost us eventually. Now the good news is both DCs were on the team as coaches/analysts last year and know how we started out. With the Griz now having some very usable game film to really show the players how to improve, I think we will see some great week to week improvement. Like many have said we won without a bunch of crucial position players and with a bunch of guys who have never played together. I think Mo St is gonna finish way higher up in the MV than voted. That team is talented and tough.
A few key takeaways:
The Defense while worrisome at first will most certainly improve for this weeks game against UND. First game jitters are out of the way and they can focus on the finer details and with coaching improve their performance. That being said, we need less hero play makers and more guys sit in their lane and play the ball.
Tackling on Defense was really bad which is worrisome, but I think that is a by-product over pursuit and bad angles.
We have a great offense. Our O-Line played a great--not perfect--first game but only gave up 1 sack and gave Fife and AY great clean pockets to pass from. Our RB core is probably one of the most dangerous in the FCS. Gilman is a generational talent along with Ostmo and Rocker Jr, we have a hell of a 1-2 punch. Our receivers had some extremely uncharacteristic drops which hurt us but that will get cleaned up. Fontes has great hands and has made some great catches in big games.
We have a punter! He might have out kicked the coverage on one of the punts, but he has a strong leg.
Overall I think this Griz team is gonna go far and continually improve. Facing adversity the very first game and coming away with a victory is a blessing in disguise. Time will tell but I think the Griz have a great chance this year. GO GRIZ!
A few key takeaways:
The Defense while worrisome at first will most certainly improve for this weeks game against UND. First game jitters are out of the way and they can focus on the finer details and with coaching improve their performance. That being said, we need less hero play makers and more guys sit in their lane and play the ball.
Tackling on Defense was really bad which is worrisome, but I think that is a by-product over pursuit and bad angles.
We have a great offense. Our O-Line played a great--not perfect--first game but only gave up 1 sack and gave Fife and AY great clean pockets to pass from. Our RB core is probably one of the most dangerous in the FCS. Gilman is a generational talent along with Ostmo and Rocker Jr, we have a hell of a 1-2 punch. Our receivers had some extremely uncharacteristic drops which hurt us but that will get cleaned up. Fontes has great hands and has made some great catches in big games.
We have a punter! He might have out kicked the coverage on one of the punts, but he has a strong leg.
Overall I think this Griz team is gonna go far and continually improve. Facing adversity the very first game and coming away with a victory is a blessing in disguise. Time will tell but I think the Griz have a great chance this year. GO GRIZ!
