These Griz need 6 wins for a meaningful 2nd half of the season with no margin for error. So far so good, 1-0 in the 2nd half of the season. It wasn't the prettiest game, the first half was slow but they got rolling late and put the hapless UNC Bears away. I like that the Griz broke through the fog but in no way was this game much of an indicator that they're back. Consider the 3 wins of this 3-3 team have come against three teams that are all 1-4 now. However, it's a step in the right direction, we saw some good stuff and some frustrating stuff today.
My thoughts:
- Plus 5 today I believe, 4 picks and 1 fumble recovery, great stuff. Good picks by the D and very athletic plays. Harris and Dennard are making some good plays and for all the criticism I'll heap on Tully at times I'll give him big props. He had a great pick and quite a few good tackles including a nice TFL. Not sure that Coyle fumble recovery was really a fumble, but hey I'll take it.
I think one of the concerns we have is that we are not really hitting. A lot of grabbing and dragging but very few good hits. The way to beat MSU is to hit their running backs hard at the line of scrimmage. Reaching and grabbing won't get it done.
- Another game, another missed PAT. Glad it didn't matter too much, Lider's now missed 4 PATs - but he's 7-7 on fieldgoals, go figure.
- O-line ground out a pretty good UNC front 7, it looked like we had nothing going early but they opened up well in the 2nd half. This is the 2nd game in a row where our offense has made good adjustments at halftime, I like that trend.
- I've been told the Griz elected to defer in the 2nd half and wanted to kick again to get the favorable wind position. If that's true (or even possible) that's just a bad decision, especially since it lead to a KR TD. We essentially gave away a possession in this game. That's not good coaching.
- Great game for Peter Nguyen, stats are not out yet but I'm betting 150+. Add in that the Griz (I believe) ran for nearly 350 yards again and our OL and running game is really clicking again.
- Some injuries to watch, Oiland looked pissed - not sure what happened, although Hines did well in his place. Hermanson appeared to hurt his shoulder and did not return, Rominger played in his stead.
- 2 games in a row with no turnovers for McKinney, although he almost had one. Trent is back to gunning the ball well over his WRs heads, had a few deep TDs that would've been scored except he was way too far ahead of them. However he had a good wide open TD pass to Warren and showed pretty good running decisions.
- How about Kirsch? Great power running there, wish he would've got into the end zone for a TD, however a smart pitch back to get Trent in the endzone.
- Defensive player of the game, I'd say, was Brock Coyle. Great day for him - did his best McSurdy impersonation. Hit hard, played smart, was always around the ball, and almost had a TD on that fumble recovery.
- On the heels of seeing Kirsch run so well I'm even more perplexed why they burnt Counts redshirt. They'd better use him a lot for the last 5 games of the season.
- Pass defense in the middle is still shaky, UNC had a few good drives and their one TD drive they really diced up the defense (albeit 2nd string pass D). I got a text from someone saying that it's a good thing UNC's WRs drop a lot of passes. We gave up over 250 to Lobato today... sheesh.
- 4 or 5 more sacks today right? Love how our defenders are getting after the QB.
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This win reminds me of when the Griz beat ISU last year, it wasn't the prettiest but they got it done and forced a ton of turnovers. It helped springboard their confidence on defense and they got on a roll. I have no clue if the same will happen but I'm thinking a win with this margin helps. Lots of stuff to still clean up and we may be real thin at safety now.
SUU lost to Sac today I see, they'll be fighting like a cornered team this next weekend, we'd better get ready.
Safe travels home Griz and good work!
