Yesterday Montana absolutely demolished Morehead State, looking at the box score it was wild to see Montana had 410 rushing yards to Morehead having -14. I don't know if I've ever seen a game with a 424 yard differential in rushing yards. It seemed like almost everyone who was available got to play, and there really wasn't much to critique or second guess from this win.
I have two takeaways from this game as a fan:
1. (The positive spin) A bounce back win in a major way is always good for confidence, the guys had a lot of fun out there, and hopefully this helps wash off the stink of that massive letdown against UND. It allowed a lot of reps for guys, and especially late (as Coach Hauck said) for younger guys to get meaningful reps that he feels will translate to their practice squad work as well. Playing a school like Morehead counts as a D1 win, so it's "better" for future needs than a win vs a school like Central Washington for example. We got to see more progression from players like Ah Yat who had a nice throwing TD on an RPO play, and I *feel* like they staff landed on their starting OL grouping in this game.
2. (The still concerned spin). Morehead was/is a terrible team and I'm worried that a big win like this doesn't really "teach" a lot of our guys much because they were playing a completely inferior opponent. And if Ah Yat really is our #1 QB then why not give him more reps and time in the 2nd quarter so he can continue to build experience? The team probably faces tougher competition in practices against their practice squad so how much can a win like this really help?
We will see, next week is going to be a battle and the Griz will hopefully carry their momentum from this game and not just get shell shocked when they square off against a team that will be, in every way, substantially better than Morehead was.
A few more observations:
- The NEZ entrances had line forming fencing and separated security / ticket entry. At 12:40 I got in line, at 12:50 I was in the stadium. It was great. I applaud the UM and athletic staff for continuing to work on this to find best ways to get people into the stadium.
- Really great attention to our military members throughout the game, having two Vietnam veterans drive Monte out in a restored Jeep, Miss Montana flyover, the video from the USS Billings, the individual recognition later in the game of an alumnus who's name I didn't quite catch, and then a moment to recognize all who served in the stadium.
- Loudest moment in the game was when Junior came on the field to return that first punt. Fans were so happy to see him back!
- I noticed #72, Klimczak, moved to center for this game and Brown went to LG. It would seem to me that maybe this staff has found their 1st team OL lineup. Seemed to work well and obviously the running game was cooking. A few more errors in the 3rd quarter with some backups, but overall regardless the OL grouping they were working well out there.
- The future is bright with Malae Fonoti. Those that caught fall practices saw this from him and it was fun for more of Griz Nation to see what this kid can do.
- I feel like I just need a placeholder comment every week to say that Eli Gillman is a special player to the likes we've rarely seen here before. As the season goes on his touches need to go up.
- Some good, one bad from Ah Yat. Worked well through progressions, ran the offense very comfortably. His pick he threw to what appeared to be literally the only covered guy on the field. Had the flats and Fontes in the middle wide open I believe. It's all part of the learning process for him though.
- The defense had to feel good, crap opponent regardless, for such a dominant day. Hayden Harris a pick, and almost had a 2nd, no points allowed by them, 5 sacks, all sorts of good stuff from different guys too.
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Overall, a real fun and relaxing day. I think the Griz came out fairly unscathed as well which is good. It was great to be back in my spot tailgating too, all felt right again in Griz Nation.
Go Griz!
I have two takeaways from this game as a fan:
1. (The positive spin) A bounce back win in a major way is always good for confidence, the guys had a lot of fun out there, and hopefully this helps wash off the stink of that massive letdown against UND. It allowed a lot of reps for guys, and especially late (as Coach Hauck said) for younger guys to get meaningful reps that he feels will translate to their practice squad work as well. Playing a school like Morehead counts as a D1 win, so it's "better" for future needs than a win vs a school like Central Washington for example. We got to see more progression from players like Ah Yat who had a nice throwing TD on an RPO play, and I *feel* like they staff landed on their starting OL grouping in this game.
2. (The still concerned spin). Morehead was/is a terrible team and I'm worried that a big win like this doesn't really "teach" a lot of our guys much because they were playing a completely inferior opponent. And if Ah Yat really is our #1 QB then why not give him more reps and time in the 2nd quarter so he can continue to build experience? The team probably faces tougher competition in practices against their practice squad so how much can a win like this really help?
We will see, next week is going to be a battle and the Griz will hopefully carry their momentum from this game and not just get shell shocked when they square off against a team that will be, in every way, substantially better than Morehead was.
A few more observations:
- The NEZ entrances had line forming fencing and separated security / ticket entry. At 12:40 I got in line, at 12:50 I was in the stadium. It was great. I applaud the UM and athletic staff for continuing to work on this to find best ways to get people into the stadium.
- Really great attention to our military members throughout the game, having two Vietnam veterans drive Monte out in a restored Jeep, Miss Montana flyover, the video from the USS Billings, the individual recognition later in the game of an alumnus who's name I didn't quite catch, and then a moment to recognize all who served in the stadium.
- Loudest moment in the game was when Junior came on the field to return that first punt. Fans were so happy to see him back!
- I noticed #72, Klimczak, moved to center for this game and Brown went to LG. It would seem to me that maybe this staff has found their 1st team OL lineup. Seemed to work well and obviously the running game was cooking. A few more errors in the 3rd quarter with some backups, but overall regardless the OL grouping they were working well out there.
- The future is bright with Malae Fonoti. Those that caught fall practices saw this from him and it was fun for more of Griz Nation to see what this kid can do.
- I feel like I just need a placeholder comment every week to say that Eli Gillman is a special player to the likes we've rarely seen here before. As the season goes on his touches need to go up.
- Some good, one bad from Ah Yat. Worked well through progressions, ran the offense very comfortably. His pick he threw to what appeared to be literally the only covered guy on the field. Had the flats and Fontes in the middle wide open I believe. It's all part of the learning process for him though.
- The defense had to feel good, crap opponent regardless, for such a dominant day. Hayden Harris a pick, and almost had a 2nd, no points allowed by them, 5 sacks, all sorts of good stuff from different guys too.
---------------
Overall, a real fun and relaxing day. I think the Griz came out fairly unscathed as well which is good. It was great to be back in my spot tailgating too, all felt right again in Griz Nation.
Go Griz!
