Agree with most of your reply, but semantics may have clouded my post. I used the MSU kicker as an example, not of a poor performer overall, but noted for ONE SPECIFIC PLAY.
"First off, there’s not too many players who get leveled by an entire side of the D-line that are going to hang onto that ball." AGREE. Even I couldn't have pulled that one off.
"Second, Eastwood wasn’t the moron who called the exact same play twice in a row nor was he the guy(s) who completely go blown up on the play." AGREED ON BOTH POINTS. Was it Rosie or Bobby who made the call?
"Third, if the Griz hadn’t pissed away a 21 point lead in the 4th quarter it would all have been a moot point." AGREE. Unbelievable. And, it happened many times during the season.
"Fourth, he’s a freshman. He’s got 3 years to redeem himself (assuming some think he needs “redemption”)." AGREE, and said so earlier. He admitted his shortcomings, and is working to eliminate them.
"His “Griz lore” is waaaaay yet to be determined." DISAGREE. Do you have "The Divide War: Montana's Golden Treasure," by Pat Kearney? Great book about the Griz-scat rivalry from 1-102. Each year has its own special moments, good and bad, depending on which side of the divide you support. What's done is done, and is historical fact. Not buffered by anything yet to come. What else Eastwood accomplishes in his remaining time will determine if, at the end of his playing days, he is seen as just the guy who fumbled in '18, or if he will be known for superlatives yet to be seen. Hopefully, the latter. Whomever writes the next volume of the Brawl series, will note this fumble as just a game changing fact. The next three chapters will determine Eastwood's legacy.
Chase Reynolds has been mentioned as a fumbler. At least once, but that was after he had carved out his legacy. One fumble at the end of his college career hardly defines him, Griz-scat game or not. Eastwood is just starting, and has something to live down, not build upon. I think that in three years, this one play will be a small footnote in a very bright college career.
"Three straight victories against the Scats with Eastwood playing a key role will go a long ways to rehabilitating his image in the eyes of Griz fans who seem to think his image is somehow tarnished because of that one play." HEARTILY AGREE with three scat victories erasing this one play. He don't need no rehab.