My view is that UM went forward in terms of how hard the team played, improvement in tackling, more physical play, the attitude of the team, the improvement at the qb position, defensive scheme (I think), etc.
The team is in a much better position to improve next year, and RTD. Some of these things I observed and discussed with others; some I was told by people involved in the program.
Learning to hold 4th quarter leads is correctable. Part of that will come with more experience and confidence. Saturday, UM started 1 senior on offense (Curran), and had only 2 on the 2-deep (Lee). On D, UM started 3 on the defense (Buss, Shaw, Tilleman). Can't imagine that there is any other playoff or top 25 team with that few seniors.
While a win over the Cats and a shot at the playoffs would have been awesome, and was oh so close, I was quite pleased with the team/season this year, starting from what I saw the first game.
In addition, there seemed to be no off-field problems except Calhoun with some downtown stuff in about June. Seemed to be handled well by UM athletics.
Hauck seemed to have good communication with the press.
QB Club attendance was way up, and many former members re-joined the Club.
Hauck and coaches were all over MT, and played much better with more fans and supporters than Stitt had. Stitt was never very comfortable or good with this. Wasn't his thing.
My guess is that donations went up as soon as Hauck arrived. I know of one good donation that came in from a big financial supporter almost immediately.
I believe season ticket sales were up. Attendance was up, I believe. Record stadium crowd on Saturday.
The way the Griz lost, and what could have been, leaves a bit of a bad taste in our mouths, but I am very optimistic for the future. Bobby has brought alot of excitement back to the program. JD Quinn got his photo with the Hauck twins on Friday night at the Depot, so all is good. Ha.
The team is in a much better position to improve next year, and RTD. Some of these things I observed and discussed with others; some I was told by people involved in the program.
Learning to hold 4th quarter leads is correctable. Part of that will come with more experience and confidence. Saturday, UM started 1 senior on offense (Curran), and had only 2 on the 2-deep (Lee). On D, UM started 3 on the defense (Buss, Shaw, Tilleman). Can't imagine that there is any other playoff or top 25 team with that few seniors.
While a win over the Cats and a shot at the playoffs would have been awesome, and was oh so close, I was quite pleased with the team/season this year, starting from what I saw the first game.
In addition, there seemed to be no off-field problems except Calhoun with some downtown stuff in about June. Seemed to be handled well by UM athletics.
Hauck seemed to have good communication with the press.
QB Club attendance was way up, and many former members re-joined the Club.
Hauck and coaches were all over MT, and played much better with more fans and supporters than Stitt had. Stitt was never very comfortable or good with this. Wasn't his thing.
My guess is that donations went up as soon as Hauck arrived. I know of one good donation that came in from a big financial supporter almost immediately.
I believe season ticket sales were up. Attendance was up, I believe. Record stadium crowd on Saturday.
The way the Griz lost, and what could have been, leaves a bit of a bad taste in our mouths, but I am very optimistic for the future. Bobby has brought alot of excitement back to the program. JD Quinn got his photo with the Hauck twins on Friday night at the Depot, so all is good. Ha.
