8/15/15 as scrimmage

[BWahlberg]

Tweeted a lot of thoughts, off to the lake to do some paddle boarding. Have a good Saturday Griz Nation

 

[signedbewildered]

Tweeted a lot of thoughts, off to the lake to do some paddle boarding. Have a good Saturday Griz Nation

Followed. Thanks. Ups and downs.

 

[dupuyer griz]

Offense looked pretty damn good compared to my expectations. Run game was no good hope that gets fixed. Special teams was a shit show hope that improves as well. Really nice tackling on D. I liked that we played bump and run on short downs instead of playing 8 off the line. Excited for a couple weeks from now! And, as was stated earlier, the scrimmage was far less uncomfortable than barley harvest.

 

[Bear Axed]

Thanks :thumb:

 

[statler & waldorf]

From todays Missoulian, AJ Mazzolini:

With starting quarterback Brady Gustafson back at the helm Saturday morning, the Montana Grizzlies football team took a major step forward on offense.

Gustafson completed 18 of 29 passes for more than 200 yards, including a 39-yard scoring strike to Jamaal Jones that kicked off the scoring in the Grizzlies' second fall scrimmage.

Montana added a touchdown from backup QB Chad Chalich to Ellis Henderson a few possessions later, a 35-yard toss, as UM ran through 14 drives in a little more than an hour at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Saturday's action was the final time fans could see Montana before the season opener Aug. 29 against North Dakota State. The third Griz scrimmage, scheduled for next Thursday afternoon, will be closed to the public.

Gustafson took just five snaps in scrimmage No. 1 on Monday as Montana tried to sort out its quarterback depth chart. In about 50 percent of Saturday's action, the 6-foot-7 passer made strong reads against the defense and commanded drives.

His only blemish came on a high throw that Jones couldn't handle, the receiver tipping the ball into the air. Cornerback JR Nelson made the interception on the play.

The defense had its moments as well, picking up 7 sacks. Defensive end Tyrone Holmes accounted for three of those.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Am I the only one who thinks AJ might be the best writer to ever graduate from journalism school? His stuff is always simple, informative, and easy to read.

 

[Fahque]

Tweeted a lot of thoughts, off to the lake to do some paddle boarding. Have a good Saturday Griz Nation

C'mon Wahlberg...Priorities!


:mrgreen: Have fun!

 

[Umista]

Simis # 2 My guess?

Don't worry about the run game right now. That part of the offense will come after the passing is being perfected, it was far more important to work on that to begin with.

Run blocking is a point the coaching staff needs to work on and it was the plan at the begining of the season, concentrate on the pass then get going on the run later.

 

[dupuyer griz]

Need Counts healthy, feels like all our backs are small guys and we need a bulldozer to get into the end zone.

 

[Spanky]

Without blocking, a bulldozer isn't enough.

 

[DuCharme]

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/football/griz-football-offense-finds-groove-in-nd-scrimmage/article_5c3f8fd1-efee-556c-a786-4cfebec36ac3.html

On a day when the performance of Montana's burgeoning offense churned out much to smile about, head football coach Bob Stitt was in a good mood.

A mood for jokes, even, after watching his football team's second fall scrimmage and its first with starting quarterback Brady Gustafson at the helm.

Wait, he is the starter, right coach?

"What do you think?" quipped a coy Stitt to a chorus to chuckles from those within ear shot.

"Brady we feel really good about. I think he's really grasping it," the coach continued, "and as we go and continue to get him more reps -- you get into a game and he's getting all 90 of them instead of 40 -- he's just gonna continue to get better each week."

Gustafson, a junior QB who saw only five snaps in Monday's scrimmage while the Griz assessed their depth chart, handled six of the Grizzlies' 14 drives Saturday morning under smoky skies at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The QB completed 18 of 29 passes, including a touchdown and -- just as importantly -- marched his team down the field in a consistent manner.

Gustafson took his first-stringers to 11 of the offense's 19 total first downs.

"Getting that first first down of the drive is huge, because then you can get the sixth, seven and eighth play," Stitt said. "Everybody in the stands, everybody on the sideline can see it: the effect of the tempo once you can get to six or seven plays."

Where in Monday's action the offense needed a long spell to warm up, the Griz O' struck quickly Saturday. On the third drive of the morning, Gustafson's second under center, Montana covered 70 yards in just five plays to reach the end zone.

Gustafson was 4 for 4 on the drive, including a 39-yard air-mail delivery to Jamaal Jones down the right sideline. Cornerback Nate Harris was covering Jones like a tailored suit, but a perfect pass left him undefendable.

"Nate had his eyes on the quarterback, kind of lost where I was and Brady said he was gonna throw it up and let me make a play and that's just what I did," said Jones, moments before Harris stopped by Jones's interview for some trash talk.

"I'll be back," he proclaimed, slapping his teammate on the back.

Jones led a slew of 13 receivers with catches, pulling in five for 82 yards. Josh Janssen also had five for 34 yards and Ben Roberts caught four for 37.

"We felt pretty good about ourselves," Gustafson said of the offense. "It's not gonna be perfect and it didn't have to be perfect today, ya know? We just got to keep getting better-better as we approach the game on the 29th."

Montana opens the season in two weeks against four-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State.

***

Gustafson's game did have a few flaws.

He threw one interception, cornerback JR Nelson picking off a pass that was well over Jones's head. The receiver couldn't reel in the throw and Nelson scooped it up on the tip.

"I miss playing receiver," said Nelson, who was a running back as well as DB at Glen Wilson High in Hacienda Heights, California. "Anytime the ball's in the air, I try and grab it. It's a blessing when we can finally get the ball and make plays."

Gustafson had another promising drive stopped short by the defense in a goal-line situation. Following his interception, Gustafson marched the offense down to the 2-yard line in 10 plays. After 68 yards, those last 2 proved impassable.

Two John Nguyen runs picked up 1 yard combined before Gustafson couldn't connect with Janssen on two passing attempts. On fourth down, safety Justin Whitted ended the day's longest offensive drive by breaking up a pass in the end zone.

"We work it a little bit each week (on goal-line situations), but we can always get some more reps at that," Gustafson said.

***

Backup QBs Chad Chalich and Makena Simis continue to be deadlocked in a fight for the No. 2 position. Chalich completed 8 of 12 passes for 41 yards and Simis was 6 of 10 for 76, 35 of that coming on a TD pass to Ellis Henderson.

It was a bright spot for Henderson, whose day was marred by special teams struggles. Twice he misplayed kicks, fumbling the returns.

Special teams as a whole was messy as Justin Calhoun also fumbled a punt before hopping on the loose ball. And neither touchdown's extra point was converted: Daniel Sullivan banged the post on the first while Chris Lider pulled his try wide right.

Sullivan did connect from 43 yards for a field goal on a Gustafson drive later, though.

The defensive line again held the running game in check as the backs combined for 36 yards on 30 carries. The line and linebackers were disruptive in the passing attack as well, sacking the quarterback seven times.

Tyrone Holmes accounted for three of those himself.

Montana's final scrimmage is next Thursday at 3 p.m. and is open only to media and Quarterback Club members.

NOTES: The offensive line was again without starting center Ben Weyer and left tackle John Schmaing. Weyer, who has been out since last Saturday with a knee injury, was walking without crutches and said he will not require surgery.

 

[griz5700]

BRADY. GUSTAFSON. WOW.

UM hasn't had a QB with his skill in a looooong time. Smart, NFL arm strength/accuracy/touch, 6'7", good pocket awareness, fluid in his footwork, and pretty damn quick. Did I miss anything?

What a luxury to have him quietly waiting behind JJohnson. But...Montana doesn't rebuild, Montana reloads. Damn right! Lets go!

 

[DuCharme]

Also from the AJ's article...

Scrimmage stats

OFFENSE

Touchdowns

Jamaal Jones 39 pass from Brady Gustafson (Daniel Sullivan kick failed)

Ellis Henderson 35 pass from Makena Simis (Chris Lider kick failed)

Field goals

Daniel Sullivan – made: 43.

Passing

Brady Gustafson 18-29-1 – 201 ; Chad Chalich 8-12-0 – 41; Makena Simis 6-10-0 – 76; Eric Prater 0-2-0. Totals: 32-51-1 – 318.

Rushing

John Nguyen 6-12, Treshawn Favors 4-12, Simis 7-11, Chalich 3-10, Carl Johnson 2-1, Jeremy Calhoun 2-1, Gustafson 5-(-3), Prater 1-(-8). Totals: 30-36.

Receiving

Jamaal Jones 5-82, Josh Janssen 5-34, Ben Roberts 4-39, Justin Calhoun 3-4, Ellis Henderson 2-43, Keenan Curran 2-29, Ryan Burke 2-20, Reese Carlson 2-15, Josh Horner 2-13, Nguyen 2-10, Tyler Lucas 1-28, Caleb Lyons 1-2, Johnson 1-(1).

DEFENSE

Interceptions

JR Nelson (of Gustafson).

Sacks

Tyrone Holmes 3, Zach Peevey 1, Ryan Johnson 1, Nick Mertes 1, Zach Vis 1.

 

[statler & waldorf]

Need Counts healthy, feels like all our backs are small guys and we need a bulldozer to get into the end zone.

80 McGowan, LaQuan TE 6-7 410 SR 2L Amarillo, Texas/Cal Farley's Boys Ranch
He's Baylor's go-to guy. Sports Illustrated has a good article on him recently, but the list him at a petite 394#.
Think outside the box.

 

[bgbigdog]

Need Counts healthy, feels like all our backs are small guys and we need a bulldozer to get into the end zone.

Hope I'm wrong, but the Joey and Chase thing may already be over. Sad.

 

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Without blocking, a bulldozer isn't enough.

 

[go96griz]

Need Counts healthy, feels like all our backs are small guys and we need a bulldozer to get into the end zone.

Hope I'm wrong, but the Joey and Chase thing may already be over. Sad.

I heard that Joey had a minor ankle sprain and he will be back soon.

 

[griz5700]

Pretty obvious Jones and Gustafson put in some hours this summer. Those two are in sync.

Special teams HAS to improve. The amount of muffed and/or lost punts is scary. Two missed extra points?? That's terrible. Great teams are disciplined in special teams and treat every punt or kickoff as an opportunity to score or create turnovers. Not treat it as a formality before the offense or defense takes the field. It comes with practice and repetition. The coaches have to act like it matters. Because it does.

Will UM avoid another first game, big environment special teams let down?
* 2014 @ Wyoming - Griz leading 6-3, blocked punt sets up WYO 1st and goal.

* 2012 @ App State - Naccarato fumbles kickoff, sets up AppSt 1st and goal, AppSt takes 21-7 lead. 4th quarter, Lider misses extra point after Dan Moore's incredible 90 yard touchdown run. AppSt keeps lead 28-27. AppSt scores on their next series to go up 8. Griz forced to go hurry up with 5 minutes left. Game over.

* 2011 @ Tennessee - Griz D has a dominate opening series and forces a quick 3 and out. Tennessee punts, Nguyen fumbles, Tenn recovers. Tenn starts next series with an 80 yard flea flicker touchdown. Game over.

 

[mcg]

My impression was that there is a gigantic difference between the #1 and #2 offensive lines. The 1's seemed to be able to block reasonably well, the 2's not so much.

 

[grizfan95]

Pretty obvious Jones and Gustafson put in some hours this summer. Those two are in sync.

Special teams HAS to improve. The amount of muffed and/or lost punts up is scary. Two missed extra points?? C'mon that's terrible. Great teams are disciplined in special teams and treat every punt or kickoff as an opportunity to score or create turnovers. Not treat it as a formality before the offense or defense takes the field. It comes with practice and repetition. The coaches have to act like it matters. Because it does.

Will the Griz avoid another first game, big environment special teams let down?
* 2014 @ Wyoming - Griz leading 6-3, blocked punt sets up WYO 1st and goal.

* 2012 @ App State - Naccarato fumbles kickoff, sets up AppSt 1st and goal, AppSt takes 21-7 lead. 4th quarter, Lider misses extra point after Dan Moore's incredible 90 yard touchdown run. AppSt keeps lead 28-27 and scores on next their series to go up 8. Griz forced to go hurry up with 5min left. Game over.

* 2011 @ Tennessee - Griz D has a dominate opening series and forces a quick 3 and out. Tennessee punts, Nguyen fumbles, Tenn recovers. Tenn starts next series with an 80 yard flea flicker touchdown. Game over.

2012 App State was not the opening game of the season, it was the second. 2012 started with a 35-24 win over South Dakota.