Applause to Chalich and the WR's for record breaking performances. With that said, Stitt, nor anyone expected Chalich to have that kind of game. Just as nobody expected Simis to have against UND. However, in listening to past Stitt interviews, pregame, and post game, I did notice a little different demeanor and sense of thinking from Stitt, than in the past.
Normally, when asked about the qb situation, his status quo answer has always been something like, "Brady is the man, etc". When asked about this after the ISU game, Stitt did not give that status quo answer. He praised all 3 qbs (Phillips being the 3rd) for who they are and their abilities. He gave a rather long encouraging neutral answer. At the very least, Chalich did enough for Stitt and his coaches to dissect game film thoroughly, and maybe consider allowing Chalich more snaps, maybe a few series that are all his.
To me, his answer in post game was surprising and definitely not the standard quote Stitt response. Then again, I might be reading too much into this. I found it very surprising though. That is a credit to each of the GRIZ qb's, especially Chalich and Gustafson.
As for Chalich's performance, I feel he did one critical thing Stitt has been wanting GRIZ QB's do more often. That is to trust your WR's to make plays, more often. Chalich did that a lot against ISU. Brady plays more guarded, it seems. Chalich and his WRs looked a lot like what EWU has done the last several years with their QB's and WR's. Then again, Brady throws hard darts for the most part, regardless of distance or personnel. Chalich throws somewhat good coverage plays with more loft and touch than Gustafson. That kind of pass gives WR's better chances to win jump balls and use their skills more. Not many DB's are going to win jump ball lob like passes in single coverage, sometimes double coverage against a somewhat tall athletic, strong WR.
It was encouraging that those kind of passes were thrown to the bigger WR's, verses trying those kind of passes to JLM. Yes, when and who a QB throws those kind of passes to do make a huge difference. If the offense can continue to better utilize our WR's and their various skill sets, this offense will be hard to stop, regardless of who QB is.
Now, let's hope the Defense finds their consistency great game again.
