• Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!

History Lesson

S

spam

Well-known member
We tend to remember history with rose-colored glasses. Ask most people, and they'll say we are struggling more this year than any of the past 16. Not true. A 0.750 record puts us in the middle, as 8 were better.

Think about 95. If you ask most people now, they'll say Dickenson was pulled in the third quarter of each game because it was a blow-out. Not true. After 8 games, this was the record:

Eastern New Mexico W 41-12
Washington State L 21-38
Minnesota-Duluth W 54-6
Boise State W 54-28 Big-Sky
California Davis W 41-20
Weber State W 49-22 Big-Sky
Northern Arizona W 24-21 Big-Sky
Idaho L 43-55 Big-Sky

A record of 6-2, with the last two games being a close victory over NAU and a loss to Idaho. One would think the ship was sinking and we were getting worse.

Big deal? Well, let’s go a step farther. Imagine fans going into the 95 season had the EXPECTATIONS we do now of that very team (i.e., we should never lose, never be pushed until the championship game, etc). Fans in 95 would be calling for a new coach after 8 games on the VERY season upon which much of today's high expectations were set. Said another way, we would be unsatisfied with our pinnacle season at that point in the season.

Fast-forward to 2003. New coaches, great expectations, 6-2 record. Where are we going from here: really, there are arguments for going either way. AZ says 8-4 is the best we can do. If we don't improve, I think he is correct; however, I for one am not ready to pee down my leg quite yet.

I think we are set to take off. Why? Many reasons:
- Everyone gets up for the Griz. We are the benchmark upon which teams measure themselves. The Griz tend to shine in big games when both teams are equally hyped.
- New offense. New defense. We are set to improve more at this point in the season than many other teams because we had the highest learning curve to climb. We are still climbing.
- Ochs getting in rhythm. He is basically at a point in practice where he would be after a game or two. Offense takes time to click. Things are emerging.

The big wildcards are will the secondary gell, and will we get and stay healthy.

Will we beat NAU? Who knows. They have a lot going for them: they're angry, this is their final BIG game, they're at home, and they're dang good.

I think the Griz will step up and it will be a good one. Regardless of the outcome however, I think we will be in the playoffs and will be a force with which to be reckon.
 
Excellent post spam. It is too easy to look to the past with color-tinted glasses. Thanks for bringing up those game scores and noting the fact that Griz were 6-2 after 8 games. It doesn't "prove" anything except that championships are made one game at a time and in the trenches. Some Saturdays you may not look like a champion, but hopefully you do enough right to keep some momentum going.
 
I have seen Spam pee down his leg (although usually large quantities of beer are involved). It is not a pretty site. Let's hope things pull together so we don't have to see it again.
 
I don't remember who the Griz played in their next to last regular season game in 1995 but I do remember the Cat/Griz game in Bozeman in 1995. The Griz were basically getting beat up and losing going into the 4th qtr. Some D.D. heroics, some awesome catches, and beautiful kicks and we got a win. The game was in doubt until the very last. The Griz win the big ones when it counts, at least in the BSC. I believe that the Griz will pull this one out. They have been to the ropes a couple of times this season and came VERY close. NAU has yet (other than poss MSU) to be really pushed to the brink where the new guys filling in for the injured have to step up and make the plays or you go home a loser. The Griz have been pushed and know how to push back. Griz Pride....
 
If my memory is correct, Griz were seeded #8 in the playoffs with only one home game guaranteed. Believe we won that game 45 to 00. The higher seeds that year all fell in the first round which allowed us to host the quarter final game with another win 48 to 00. More higher seeds lost and we hosted the semi-final game against SFA and won 70 to 12. Went to Marshall and won 22 to 20. So yep, you never know how it's going to turn out. One game at a time, one game at a time.
 
The Griz were seeded 6th. They beat E. Ky. 48-0 (it was 48-0 at half-time), Ga. Southern 45-0, and SFA 70-14. I can throw in the half-time scores in the latter games if you like.
 
Great post spam! I as well as others I'm sure need to remember and then appreciate how we are doing now. Especially with new coaches,players and offensive schemes and defensive looks. We are doing GOOD! Griz take it to NAU.
 
Yep! It's all about heart at this point. We got the goods...now who wants it the most? 110% every snap...no stopping.
 
Yeah, 1995...

I traveled to the UofI that year...talk about ugly...

DD threw for 550 so did the QB for UofI...

We were down 42-14 at half and came back within a touchdown at 49-43 and lost 55-43. Our DB's got torched in that game...


As for the MSU game...was in the cat section with a friend from high school...We couldn't kick in the wind...nor could they and MSU kept lobbing the ball down the field with pooch kicks and we couldn't field them in the 40mph cross wind...But DD came up with a houdini act...emerged from the pile to throw a TD late...to make the margin more comfortable...
 
That's nuthin'. In 1998, the Griz started out 3-3 and looked doomed. They ended up winning the BSC title. I think we can agree that was the worst year the Big Sky ever had.
 
Was that the year of Hepner's kick in the Cat game? Made the year worthwhile right there, although it was our worst year in the past decade.
 
No, that happened in 1997. The 1998 Griz/Cat game was a classic that doesn't get much mention. Both teams entered the game 7-3 knowing only one could make the playoffs. The Griz were down 21-20 but scored a fourth quarter touchdown (by Dallas Niell, I think). MSU had a last gasp on a final drive to convert short 3rd and 4th downs, but the slick mud all across midfield aided the Griz D, and they took over on downs to win. That was a fun one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top