I feel better about this team after this loss…

[AZGrizFan]

Is that even possible? The ONLY caveat I have is we HAVE to keep LJ healthy. The team just “looks” different on the field when he’s healthy and contributing. Don’t get me wrong, Brown did a serviceable job coming in in that situation, but serviceable ain’t gonna get it done with this offense. We need the dynamic playmaking ability of a healthy LJ to keep defenses honest. It just opens things up so much more than having a statue back there behind center.

But outside of that, I saw lots of things to be positive about. I thought the O-line did well, both in protecting the QB and in run blocking. I thought the RB’s did well—especially Ostmo. I think he’s being under utilized. We missed Bergen after he went out with the apparent hand injury. Let’s hope it’s not a longer term thing. The Griz sustained drives much better (with LJ in), and didn’t have a 3-out until the 3rd quarter. I honestly think we put up 35 on that defense with a healthy LJ and cleaning up a few ST’s issues that linger.

I feel better about the rest of the season, but it’s all predicated on LJ being healthy. And that’s a big if.

 

[HookedonGriz]

Agree with all.

 

[horribilisfan8184]

So do I. Brown looked better as the game wore on. Everybody thought we were sunk when LJ went down and we still should have won that game. Kudos to the runnng game coming alive. We are better situated for a long playoff run no matter where we play.

 

[horribilisfan8184]

So do I. Brown looked better as the game wore on. Everybody thought we were sunk when LJ went down and we still should have won that game. Kudos to the runnng game coming alive. We are better situated for a long playoff run no matter where we play.

 

[Da Boyz Mom]

I agree, AND YET, I'm still annoyed because we could have and should have won that game. Just fielding the stupid onside kick could have been the difference. Right after Sac kicked the field goal, my sister texted me that we better be expecting the onside this week. But no... a minute and a half later our whole kick return team is shocked by the onside kick that everyone else saw coming. WHY????

Sorry for the rant. I was actually quite surprised at how well the whole team played even without LJ. But man I wanted that win.

 

[kemajic]

Brown looked better as the game wore on.

Really? Did you miss the OT?

 

[ordigger]

Is that even possible? The ONLY caveat I have is we HAVE to keep LJ healthy. The team just “looks” different on the field when he’s healthy and contributing. Don’t get me wrong, Brown did a serviceable job coming in in that situation, but serviceable ain’t gonna get it done with this offense. We need the dynamic playmaking ability of a healthy LJ to keep defenses honest. It just opens things up so much more than having a statue back there behind center.

But outside of that, I saw lots of things to be positive about. I thought the O-line did well, both in protecting the QB and in run blocking. I thought the RB’s did well—especially Ostmo. I think he’s being under utilized. We missed Bergen after he went out with the apparent hand injury. Let’s hope it’s not a longer term thing. The Griz sustained drives much better (with LJ in), and didn’t have a 3-out until the 3rd quarter. I honestly think we put up 35 on that defense with a healthy LJ and cleaning up a few ST’s issues that linger.

I feel better about the rest of the season, but it’s all predicated on LJ being healthy. And that’s a big if.

I chuckle when I see people think the run game did well. They sucked. Otsmo gets to much playing time.

54 carries in game.
200 yards
3.7 yards per carry (3.4 without Johnson)

Otsmo 3.6 yards per carry (happy with that are you?)
Knight 2.8 yards per carry.
Harris 2 carries for 9 yards.

Longest rush was Johnson with 25. Otsmo had a 15 yarder, Knight a 13 yarder.

With THAT many carries even the odds say there should’ve been a couple breakaways but no it was pound the middle for 3 yards. And you’re happy with that?

Lousy for the talent we are supposed to have.

Also, Sac St only had 180 yards on 31 carries for 5.8 ypc.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Is that even possible? The ONLY caveat I have is we HAVE to keep LJ healthy. The team just “looks” different on the field when he’s healthy and contributing. Don’t get me wrong, Brown did a serviceable job coming in in that situation, but serviceable ain’t gonna get it done with this offense. We need the dynamic playmaking ability of a healthy LJ to keep defenses honest. It just opens things up so much more than having a statue back there behind center.

But outside of that, I saw lots of things to be positive about. I thought the O-line did well, both in protecting the QB and in run blocking. I thought the RB’s did well—especially Ostmo. I think he’s being under utilized. We missed Bergen after he went out with the apparent hand injury. Let’s hope it’s not a longer term thing. The Griz sustained drives much better (with LJ in), and didn’t have a 3-out until the 3rd quarter. I honestly think we put up 35 on that defense with a healthy LJ and cleaning up a few ST’s issues that linger.

I feel better about the rest of the season, but it’s all predicated on LJ being healthy. And that’s a big if.

I chuckle when I see people think the run game did well. They sucked. Otsmo gets to much playing time.

54 carries in game.
200 yards
3.7 yards per carry (3.4 without Johnson)

Otsmo 3.6 yards per carry (happy with that are you?)
Knight 2.8 yards per carry.
Harris 2 carries for 9 yards.

Longest rush was Johnson with 25. Otsmo had a 15 yarder, Knight a 13 yarder.

With THAT many carries even the odds say there should’ve been a couple breakaways but no it was pound the middle for 3 yards. And you’re happy with that?

Lousy for the talent we are supposed to have.

Also, Sac St only had 180 yards on 31 carries for 5.8 ypc.

3.6 ypc, with a backup QB who wasn’t a threat to run, nor really a threat to pass. I agree with PR, if Johnson had stayed healthy, that number would have been north of 5. When they’re stacking the box, DARING you to pass, and you STILL run the ball and average 3.6 then yes, I’m happy with that.

 

[horribilisfan8184]

Brown looked better as the game wore on.

Really? Did you miss the OT?

Pretty sure Brown was running the plays the OC called.

 

[reinell30]

Is that even possible? The ONLY caveat I have is we HAVE to keep LJ healthy. The team just “looks” different on the field when he’s healthy and contributing. Don’t get me wrong, Brown did a serviceable job coming in in that situation, but serviceable ain’t gonna get it done with this offense. We need the dynamic playmaking ability of a healthy LJ to keep defenses honest. It just opens things up so much more than having a statue back there behind center.

But outside of that, I saw lots of things to be positive about. I thought the O-line did well, both in protecting the QB and in run blocking. I thought the RB’s did well—especially Ostmo. I think he’s being under utilized. We missed Bergen after he went out with the apparent hand injury. Let’s hope it’s not a longer term thing. The Griz sustained drives much better (with LJ in), and didn’t have a 3-out until the 3rd quarter. I honestly think we put up 35 on that defense with a healthy LJ and cleaning up a few ST’s issues that linger.

I feel better about the rest of the season, but it’s all predicated on LJ being healthy. And that’s a big if.

I chuckle when I see people think the run game did well. They sucked. Otsmo gets to much playing time.

54 carries in game.
200 yards
3.7 yards per carry (3.4 without Johnson)

Otsmo 3.6 yards per carry (happy with that are you?)
Knight 2.8 yards per carry.
Harris 2 carries for 9 yards.

Longest rush was Johnson with 25. Otsmo had a 15 yarder, Knight a 13 yarder.

With THAT many carries even the odds say there should’ve been a couple breakaways but no it was pound the middle for 3 yards. And you’re happy with that?

Lousy for the talent we are supposed to have.

Also, Sac St only had 180 yards on 31 carries for 5.8 ypc.

1st time in a couple years that we had positive yardage on running plays from the running backs...Don't discredit a fantastic effort by this bunch. The O-Line is finally able to block somewhat, give them some credit. The running game worked almost precisely like it was supposed to. Chew up clock so Sac St. couldn't have the ball to score. (if you didn't notice, Sac St scored very quickly and at will?)
I think the running game was great for a change! I want more of it! I want more Knight than Otsmo though. Have to pull the tackles to get knight free outside.

 

[GrizGuy]

I generally agree, too.
As long as LJ is healthy, I don't see any reason why the team can't actually win out. I'm not saying it'll be easy, but after last week's game, and what happened across the BSC, I don't see why it's not possible. And once this team gets into the playoffs, even if they have to hit the road, I think they do well.

 

[AZDoc]

Really? Did you miss the OT?

Pretty sure Brown was running the plays the OC called.

I think the point was he was running them, but not well. I agree that he was better in general as the game wore on...minus OT. He is still not FCS level, or maybe not FCS playing time level. He is just a half tick of time slow on his decisions and that is the issue. in 4 years of the system, he should be able to read things at a ridiculous pace if he has that innate ability.

 

[BWahlberg]

Defense played their ass off and held the top scoring offense to well under their average, also mostly kept Skattebo under wraps too - one of his lower totals for the year I think.

Offense actually executed a plan that worked, and then adjusted fairly well in the 2nd half to make sure they can keep things going in the wake of losing LJ and Bergen.

O-line had it's best day, against a damn good defense too.

Running game had hard earned yards, not the greatest day for Knight/Ostmo/etc but still a good one.

The frustrating thing is that if this Griz team showed up the prior week against Idaho we would have won that one and this loss wouldn't be a tough to swallow. Also, I think with a few more things cleaned up this is as damned dangerous of a team as we expected them to be.

 

[Mavman]

I agree completely, left the game feeling the Griz will win out. The play calling with LJ at the helm was very good. Can't say enough about how the defense held Scataboo in check the first 3 quarters. Two preventable injuries changed the game, however team kept fighting. Players and coaches were fired up on the sidelines all game.
I have been critical of brown however he played pretty decent, I think he will look better after a full week of first team reps heading to weber.
Montana just outplayed the number 2 team on the road lots to be excited about.