In front of just over 24,000 fans it was one incredible evening watching Montana get revenge on the Eagles. EWU, as we all know, beat Montana in a game where the Griz were in charge for a great portion of the game, just to see it melt away late on the electric play of Eric Barriere. This time around, the fireworks started 10 minutes before kickoff and continued on the field through the whole game. It's been a great few weeks to be a Griz fan, beating the cats ass, getting a seed, and then beating EWU's ass and now on to the quarterfinals. The crowd was electric, and once again - Montana came out with a game plan that many didn't expect that worked really well on offense, and did enough on defense to help put the game well out of reach for EWU in the 4th quarter.
I know I'm about 12 hours late getting this up - I might've gone out an celebrated the win a little, but here's a few overall thoughts:
- I was getting worried when it was 21-10 that EWU was just going to burn the defense all night like they had for an early 3 TDs. Then... Gavin Robertson put Talolo Limu Jones on his ass, and then Robby put Dennis Merrit on his ass. Both plays reviewed for targeting. The defense's reaction after they knew Gavin, and then Robby, weren't going to get tossed was huge. They were FIRED UP, they suddenly got out of that early funk and played like the imposing team we've known them to be. EWU scored 21 points in 16:06 of clock time and then after these hits scored 20 more over the course of the next 34:00. I sincerely believe that was the key turning moment of the game. It lead to a blocked punt, then a UM TD making it a 1 point game - and then at the start of the 2nd half the Griz would take the lead and never give it back.
- I'd said in my scouting report that I really want Montana to get Flowers as many touches as possible. The guy opened with a 75 yard TD... wow. Love how this coaching staff has been continually working to get the ball into our best playmakers hands.
- While we wait on the JMU v SELA game I think many of us expect that last night was probably the last time we'll see our seniors play in WA Griz. Sammy Akem saved his best game (so far) of 2021 for then. 104 yards and 2 TDs - breaking the Montana receiving TD record too. As one of the most physically dominant WRs we've ever had I'm glad he was able to have such a special night in front of all of us.
- Justin Ford has put together a season I would assume we'll never see again. 9 interceptions and 3 scored TDs. Are you kidding me? I'm sure he got some guff for throwing that ball into the stands... but honestly... I love it. EWU's plan was to stay away from him - but the Grizzly pressure forced one errant EB3 throw - that Justin took to the house.
- I loved what Montana did on defense. It wasn't as high of pressure as other games, but was well timed quite often. As the Griz extended their lead Baer backed off the blitzes and made EWU earn it all. The Weber/cat/UNI games showed the Griz defense that if EWU can't score in fast chunks, they'll chew the clock and then tighten up as the field shortens. Yes EWU got some massive numbers, but this time around it all fit into the plan that lead to a decisive Montana win.
- The Grizzly O-line might've had their best game of the year. I want to re-watch the game but it just seemed like, save a few sacks and stops, the OL had a great night.
- More wrinkles on offense that EWU couldn't anticipate. The ongoing evolution of this offense is something that our last few opponents couldn't handle.
- Got to give props to both EB3 and... yes... Limu Jones. Both great players. Yes both are big talkers, but they back it up with their play on the field. As a Griz fan, I'm damn glad both are graduating. Both were on the field for quite some time after the game. Eric was hugging Griz players, and it looked like Talolo was having a long conversation with Bobby. Seems to me that Bobby usually goes out of his way to have talks with kids on the other team that he really respects.
- Montana's special teams continues to be a difference maker in games that is usually missed in the stat book. Boomschini smashing punts, Money Macia$, big kick and punt returns, blocking kicks. It's an astounding advantage that has really helped the Griz.
---------
Alright Griz, let's keep this rolling! It's looking like JMU at the moment, but who knows. I love the mind-set of this team right now. It's been such a great season and I hope this fun continues!
Go Griz!
I know I'm about 12 hours late getting this up - I might've gone out an celebrated the win a little, but here's a few overall thoughts:
- I was getting worried when it was 21-10 that EWU was just going to burn the defense all night like they had for an early 3 TDs. Then... Gavin Robertson put Talolo Limu Jones on his ass, and then Robby put Dennis Merrit on his ass. Both plays reviewed for targeting. The defense's reaction after they knew Gavin, and then Robby, weren't going to get tossed was huge. They were FIRED UP, they suddenly got out of that early funk and played like the imposing team we've known them to be. EWU scored 21 points in 16:06 of clock time and then after these hits scored 20 more over the course of the next 34:00. I sincerely believe that was the key turning moment of the game. It lead to a blocked punt, then a UM TD making it a 1 point game - and then at the start of the 2nd half the Griz would take the lead and never give it back.
- I'd said in my scouting report that I really want Montana to get Flowers as many touches as possible. The guy opened with a 75 yard TD... wow. Love how this coaching staff has been continually working to get the ball into our best playmakers hands.
- While we wait on the JMU v SELA game I think many of us expect that last night was probably the last time we'll see our seniors play in WA Griz. Sammy Akem saved his best game (so far) of 2021 for then. 104 yards and 2 TDs - breaking the Montana receiving TD record too. As one of the most physically dominant WRs we've ever had I'm glad he was able to have such a special night in front of all of us.
- Justin Ford has put together a season I would assume we'll never see again. 9 interceptions and 3 scored TDs. Are you kidding me? I'm sure he got some guff for throwing that ball into the stands... but honestly... I love it. EWU's plan was to stay away from him - but the Grizzly pressure forced one errant EB3 throw - that Justin took to the house.
- I loved what Montana did on defense. It wasn't as high of pressure as other games, but was well timed quite often. As the Griz extended their lead Baer backed off the blitzes and made EWU earn it all. The Weber/cat/UNI games showed the Griz defense that if EWU can't score in fast chunks, they'll chew the clock and then tighten up as the field shortens. Yes EWU got some massive numbers, but this time around it all fit into the plan that lead to a decisive Montana win.
- The Grizzly O-line might've had their best game of the year. I want to re-watch the game but it just seemed like, save a few sacks and stops, the OL had a great night.
- More wrinkles on offense that EWU couldn't anticipate. The ongoing evolution of this offense is something that our last few opponents couldn't handle.
- Got to give props to both EB3 and... yes... Limu Jones. Both great players. Yes both are big talkers, but they back it up with their play on the field. As a Griz fan, I'm damn glad both are graduating. Both were on the field for quite some time after the game. Eric was hugging Griz players, and it looked like Talolo was having a long conversation with Bobby. Seems to me that Bobby usually goes out of his way to have talks with kids on the other team that he really respects.
- Montana's special teams continues to be a difference maker in games that is usually missed in the stat book. Boomschini smashing punts, Money Macia$, big kick and punt returns, blocking kicks. It's an astounding advantage that has really helped the Griz.
---------
Alright Griz, let's keep this rolling! It's looking like JMU at the moment, but who knows. I love the mind-set of this team right now. It's been such a great season and I hope this fun continues!
Go Griz!
