Post Game: 37-7 ass kicking

[BWahlberg]

Apologies for the super late re-cap, blame a waaay too late night celebration and then work mixed with a nagging hangover. We’re now more than 24 hours removed from a surreal day where the Grizzlies won the Big Sky outright title for the first time since 2011 / 2009. The stadium was electric, fans were totally fired up, and the team fed off the energy all day long. I absolutely love that the Griz put up our legacy number on the cats yesterday as well.

I know we’re now moving on to playoff talk and whatnot, but I did want to share a few thoughts and impressions I had from the game:

- This season so far has been, without a doubt, the very best total coaching job I’ve seen from an entire staff. Outside of Alex Gubner I don’t really think we have a single generational-type talent at any position, but we have a ton of guys who are damn good, have bought in, and are just kicking ass left and right.

- Speaking of Gubner, his TFL where he forearmed a cat OL and then just buried the running back in the dirt was a thing of beauty.

- One cannot understate the importance of what Riley Wilson has added to the defense. He is a heat-seeking missile that has closing speed that we don’t see all too often. He had 1 awesome TFL and chased down multiple cat runners from behind – preventing big gains.

- Clifton McDowell should be the shoe-in winner for newcomer of the year in the Big Sky, the way he has grown and progressed through this season has been nothing short of impressive. Credit to Coach Pease and his guys as well for building this offense around what Cliff can do best.

- Montana showed the flaw in MSU’s offense – when the run game isn’t ripping off long and quick scoring plays, and then stalling out on drives, they can’t throw the ball to stay in the game. I think the cats should’ve probably used Chambers a bit more but I’m kind of glad they didn’t. Based on the outcome of the game it probably didn’t matter though.

- Cats were 1-10 on 3rd down and 0-4 on 4th down. That’s a testament to the plan the defensive staff put into place and the execution of the players.

- Montana almost out-rushed the cats in total yardage, love it.

- You could rapidly tell the Griz players were really dialed in, we had Fontes hurdling guys, the OL totally frustrating the cat studs Valdez and Grebe, runners going downhill all day.

- Loved the on-screen Monte movie and then Riley’s trivia, good stuff!

- Nick Ostmo’s dagger, all but crushing any shred of hope MSU had was wonderfully fitting for a guy who has been a Grizzly and a contributor for years now. In his last brawl, to go out like that, had to feel awesome.

- Chatted with a lot of cat fans there, before/during/after. All good talks and conversations, nice people, some trash talk but all in fun. There sure were a lot of cat fans there! Glad they got to see that outcome!

The playoffs are now here and it’s time to buckle down and see how far this team can take things. I am continually impressed each week by how these guys just keep getting better every week. This team has met it’s regular season goals, now it’s time to chase the post season one.

Go Griz!

 

[Copper Griz]

Apologies for the super late re-cap, blame a waaay too late night celebration and then work mixed with a nagging hangover. We’re now more than 24 hours removed from a surreal day where the Grizzlies won the Big Sky outright title for the first time since 2011 / 2009. The stadium was electric, fans were totally fired up, and the team fed off the energy all day long. I absolutely love that the Griz put up our legacy number on the cats yesterday as well.

I know we’re now moving on to playoff talk and whatnot, but I did want to share a few thoughts and impressions I had from the game:

- This season so far has been, without a doubt, the very best total coaching job I’ve seen from an entire staff. Outside of Alex Gubner I don’t really think we have a single generational-type talent at any position, but we have a ton of guys who are damn good, have bought in, and are just kicking ass left and right.

- Speaking of Gubner, his TFL where he forearmed a cat OL and then just buried the running back in the dirt was a thing of beauty.

- One cannot understate the importance of what Riley Wilson has added to the defense. He is a heat-seeking missile that has closing speed that we don’t see all too often. He had 1 awesome TFL and chased down multiple cat runners from behind – preventing big gains.

- Clifton McDowell should be the shoe-in winner for newcomer of the year in the Big Sky, the way he has grown and progressed through this season has been nothing short of impressive. Credit to Coach Pease and his guys as well for building this offense around what Cliff can do best.

- Montana showed the flaw in MSU’s offense – when the run game isn’t ripping off long and quick scoring plays, and then stalling out on drives, they can’t throw the ball to stay in the game. I think the cats should’ve probably used Chambers a bit more but I’m kind of glad they didn’t. Based on the outcome of the game it probably didn’t matter though.

- Cats were 1-10 on 3rd down and 0-4 on 4th down. That’s a testament to the plan the defensive staff put into place and the execution of the players.

- Montana almost out-rushed the cats in total yardage, love it.

- You could rapidly tell the Griz players were really dialed in, we had Fontes hurdling guys, the OL totally frustrating the cat studs Valdez and Grebe, runners going downhill all day.

- Loved the on-screen Monte movie and then Riley’s trivia, good stuff!

- Nick Ostmo’s dagger, all but crushing any shred of hope MSU had was wonderfully fitting for a guy who has been a Grizzly and a contributor for years now. In his last brawl, to go out like that, had to feel awesome.

- Chatted with a lot of cat fans there, before/during/after. All good talks and conversations, nice people, some trash talk but all in fun. There sure were a lot of cat fans there! Glad they got to see that outcome!

The playoffs are now here and it’s time to buckle down and see how far this team can take things. I am continually impressed each week by how these guys just keep getting better every week. This team has met it’s regular season goals, now it’s time to chase the post season one.

Go Griz!

As usual, a wonderful write up! I was thinking about the O line. Magnificent job. Brown and Mayginnes both out of commission if my eyes did not deceive me? Casey did a darn good job. Couple of mistakes, but overall a great game. O line that deep is really nice to see. Hopefully some guys heal up prior to the playoffs. I don’t know about Mayginnes. My source wasn’t very accurate.

 

[Yukon]

Never thought this season (after weeks 1-5) would turn out like this. Never in a million years. SOOOOOO, happy to see this. I thought they would finish 6-5 at best. Yes, I was a person calling for a coaching change. :grenade:

Brint - Great write up, thanks for that every week. :thumb:

 

[Ut-Grizfan]

Never thought this season (after weeks 1-5) would turn out like this. Never in a million years. SOOOOOO, happy to see this. I thought they would finish 6-5 at best. Yes, I was a person calling for a coaching change. :grenade:

Brint - Great write up, thanks for that every week. :thumb:

I think there are a lot of us in that crowd, I Had written off our offense, more then happy to eat crow

 

[BillingsMafia]

I see extreme talent. Gillman is impossible to tackle. McDowell giving hand signals to the receivers letting them know what they should have done. I defense as a whole. This team has talent.

 

[cclarkblues]

I'm a little confused. It sounded like Hauck said "ass kickin"" but then Brint says it's "ass kicking". Which is it? Or maybe one can use either term. Either way, we get to refer to the "ass kicked cats" for a year so I can live with that. For those of you who think it doesn't matter, I live with two "ass kicked cat" fans so I want to use the correct phraseology.

 

[grizpaws]

I'm a little confused. It sounded like Hauck said "ass kickin"" but then Brint says it's "ass kicking". Which is it? Or maybe one can use either term. Either way, we get to refer to the "ass kicked cats" for a year so I can live with that. For those of you who think it doesn't matter, I live with two "ass kicked cat" fans so I want to use the correct phraseology.

Just call them "losers"...

 

[Alaska Griz]

Nice write-up. I disagree about the talent on this team in the sense that only a few teams over the last 25 years have had more than a few generational talents on the team at once. This team is right there with any of them save 2-3 years.

One of the best lb corps we've ever had. Bergen changes about half the games he plays in and is on pace with Mariani type effect in his junior year. Clifton is one of the best QB's we've had in the last decade. O-line IS the best we've had in the last decade. Gilman, as a freshman is one of the best RB to ever suit up for the Griz. Fontes is becoming a star wr.

You already mentioned Gubner, who imo, is the best DT we've ever had. Plays every snap, affects every game, has never been injured to my knowledge, and will have a career on Sundays after this. Not buying the talent argument. I think we are clearly one of the most talented teams in the FCS and have recruited well.

And to put the brawl into perspective, cat people were saying this is easily one of the best teams they've ever fielded and we just made them look silly. They have NOTHING to say. It's comical.

 

[hardycreek1]

LOVE THIS!

"And to put the brawl into perspective, cat people were saying this is easily one of the best teams they've ever fielded and we just made them look silly. They have NOTHING to say. It's comical."

I was in the NEZ and there was a large obnoxious kittie fan sitting too close to me and it made for an unpleasant start to the gam with his loud obnoxious comments every few seconds. But as the game wore on he finally quit barking stupidity ....then just sat there with a frown...and next thing I knew he left the stadium in the 3rd quarter. HA! That's the best way to shut them up! Knock their socks off!

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Nice write-up. I disagree about the talent on this team in the sense that only a few teams over the last 25 years have had more than a few generational talents on the team at once. This team is right there with any of them save 2-3 years.

One of the best lb corps we've ever had. Bergen changes about half the games he plays in and is on pace with Mariani type effect in his junior year. Clifton is one of the best QB's we've had in the last decade. O-line IS the best we've had in the last decade. Gilman, as a freshman is one of the best RB to ever suit up for the Griz. Fontes is becoming a star wr.

You already mentioned Gubner, who imo, is the best DT we've ever had. Plays every snap, affects every game, has never been injured to my knowledge, and will have a career on Sundays after this. Not buying the talent argument. I think we are clearly one of the most talented teams in the FCS and have recruited well.

And to put the brawl into perspective, cat people were saying this is easily one of the best teams they've ever fielded and we just made them look silly. They have NOTHING to say. It's comical.

Well, when you put it like that :lol: :clap: I think I agree on all points! Especially the Oline, which is crazy because they played pretty poorly early on and didn’t look that great….wel now the look great. Blew wide open holes on that vaunted DLine of MSU’s. Made Grebe and Valdez their b**ches all freaking game, and I loved seeing it!

 

[fencer24]

. But as the game wore on he finally quit barking stupidity ....then just sat there with a frown...and next thing I knew he left the stadium in the 3rd quarter. HA! That's the best way to shut them up! Knock their socks off!

A mini Trail of Tears?

 

[puckshootr]

- “Loved the on-screen Monte movie and then Riley’s trivia, good stuff!”

I talked to Riley after the game and he said they were going to post that video….anybody seen it yet?

 

[Alaska Griz]

Nice write-up. I disagree about the talent on this team in the sense that only a few teams over the last 25 years have had more than a few generational talents on the team at once. This team is right there with any of them save 2-3 years.

One of the best lb corps we've ever had. Bergen changes about half the games he plays in and is on pace with Mariani type effect in his junior year. Clifton is one of the best QB's we've had in the last decade. O-line IS the best we've had in the last decade. Gilman, as a freshman is one of the best RB to ever suit up for the Griz. Fontes is becoming a star wr.

You already mentioned Gubner, who imo, is the best DT we've ever had. Plays every snap, affects every game, has never been injured to my knowledge, and will have a career on Sundays after this. Not buying the talent argument. I think we are clearly one of the most talented teams in the FCS and have recruited well.

And to put the brawl into perspective, cat people were saying this is easily one of the best teams they've ever fielded and we just made them look silly. They have NOTHING to say. It's comical.

Well, when you put it like that :lol: :clap: I think I agree on all points! Especially the Oline, which is crazy because they played pretty poorly early on and didn’t look that great….wel now the look great. Blew wide open holes on that vaunted DLine of MSU’s. Made Grebe and Valdez their b**ches all freaking game, and I loved seeing it!

Funny thing is going back and watching the live broadcasts, Marty, who gets criticized alot, is basically pointing out subtle schematic changes week to week that has led to improvement. I don't know how much info Marty has, but it's funny to hear him point out schematic changes. He's not really a homer either, he's genuinely urging what the opposing team has to do to have a chance, and he's usually right. He outcoached the cats this week! And has been prophetic without even trying I've enjoyed listening to his announcing after watching games live. Just listened to him and Ty. That was good. And Ty is the same way. Just loves football!.

 

[Grizzlies1982]

Well, when you put it like that :lol: :clap: I think I agree on all points! Especially the Oline, which is crazy because they played pretty poorly early on and didn’t look that great….wel now the look great. Blew wide open holes on that vaunted DLine of MSU’s. Made Grebe and Valdez their b**ches all freaking game, and I loved seeing it!

Funny thing is going back and watching the live broadcasts, Marty, who gets criticized alot, is basically pointing out subtle schematic changes week to week that has led to improvement. I don't know how much info Marty has, but it's funny to hear him point out schematic changes. He's not really a homer either, he's genuinely urging what the opposing team has to do to have a chance, and he's usually right. He outcoached the cats this week! And has been prophetic without even trying I've enjoyed listening to his announcing after watching games live. Just listened to him and Ty. That was good. And Ty is the same way. Just loves football!.

Marty summed up the game perfectly (though perhaps grammatically incorrect) when he said “The cats are playing hard, they just aren’t playing good”.

 

[Theonewhoknocks]

Word on the street is that the Bobcats threw yesterday’s game.

According to sources, Cruzado was perusing through egriz last week and discovered that some of the posters (that are no doubt reading this post and will reply to it) know more about the law than ANY attorney that MSU could hope to hire.

She feared that these intellectual humans knew more about the OC and DC cases than anyone else, and felt she needed to appease them like the gods they are in order to keep them from going public.

Per sources, Cruzado, Bodner, Hauck, and Vigen had a conference call to discuss their options. This was done under the guise of not allowing the visiting marching band to travel to the brawl. ( Sidenote: the bands were unfortunate collateral damage, but desperate times call for desperate measures).

It was then decided that the cats would throw the game and allow the griz to win big, obtain the 2 seed, and win the big sky conference. With the hope that the egriz law experts would allow the coordinators actions to slide and not take things into their own hands like they threatened to do earlier in the season. As a cherry on top, Mony Mony was played in the stadium to further appease them.

It’s also been said that the FCS fanatic X account was created to intentionally look like a burner account of a current MSU football athlere to allow the vaunted Griz internet sleuths to “uncover the truth” and give them even more confidence and ammo as they continue on their internet crusade of beings the best griz fan posters in the world.

Big if true!

 

[fanofzoo]

Well, when you put it like that :lol: :clap: I think I agree on all points! Especially the Oline, which is crazy because they played pretty poorly early on and didn’t look that great….wel now the look great. Blew wide open holes on that vaunted DLine of MSU’s. Made Grebe and Valdez their b**ches all freaking game, and I loved seeing it!

Funny thing is going back and watching the live broadcasts, Marty, who gets criticized alot, is basically pointing out subtle schematic changes week to week that has led to improvement. I don't know how much info Marty has, but it's funny to hear him point out schematic changes. He's not really a homer either, he's genuinely urging what the opposing team has to do to have a chance, and he's usually right. He outcoached the cats this week! And has been prophetic without even trying I've enjoyed listening to his announcing after watching games live. Just listened to him and Ty. That was good. And Ty is the same way. Just loves football!.

"the cats are playing, their just not playing good"

 

[GrizRick]

Funny thing is going back and watching the live broadcasts, Marty, who gets criticized alot, is basically pointing out subtle schematic changes week to week that has led to improvement. I don't know how much info Marty has, but it's funny to hear him point out schematic changes. He's not really a homer either, he's genuinely urging what the opposing team has to do to have a chance, and he's usually right. He outcoached the cats this week! And has been prophetic without even trying I've enjoyed listening to his announcing after watching games live. Just listened to him and Ty. That was good. And Ty is the same way. Just loves football!.

The first time I heard Marty, I thought he was addled, but I've grown to like him. He makes astute comments on the game, despite his speech affect. He has a bunch of coaching experience in the NFL, including his stint as head coach of the Detroit Lions. Those jobs don't go to someone who doesn't know a lot about football.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I'm a little confused. It sounded like Hauck said "ass kickin"" but then Brint says it's "ass kicking". Which is it? Or maybe one can use either term. Either way, we get to refer to the "ass kicked cats" for a year so I can live with that. For those of you who think it doesn't matter, I live with two "ass kicked cat" fans so I want to use the correct phraseology.

“Ass kickin’” is correct. :thumb:

 

[BWahlberg]

Funny thing is going back and watching the live broadcasts, Marty, who gets criticized alot, is basically pointing out subtle schematic changes week to week that has led to improvement. I don't know how much info Marty has, but it's funny to hear him point out schematic changes. He's not really a homer either, he's genuinely urging what the opposing team has to do to have a chance, and he's usually right. He outcoached the cats this week! And has been prophetic without even trying I've enjoyed listening to his announcing after watching games live. Just listened to him and Ty. That was good. And Ty is the same way. Just loves football!.

The first time I heard Marty, I thought he was addled, but I've grown to like him. He makes astute comments on the game, despite his speech affect. He has a bunch of coaching experience in the NFL, including his stint as head coach of the Detroit Lions. Those jobs don't go to someone who doesn't know a lot about football.

Mike mentioned this on the pod, and we had Kyle Hansen send us the clip. Marty correctly pointed out that MSU screwed up the clock at the end of the first half. He was pointing out that the cats should have run the clock down to 3 seconds instead of 6 so the wouldn't risk giving Montana a last second chance to score too.

 

[GrizRick]

The first time I heard Marty, I thought he was addled, but I've grown to like him. He makes astute comments on the game, despite his speech affect. He has a bunch of coaching experience in the NFL, including his stint as head coach of the Detroit Lions. Those jobs don't go to someone who doesn't know a lot about football.

Mike mentioned this on the pod, and we had Kyle Hansen send us the clip. Marty correctly pointed out that MSU screwed up the clock at the end of the first half. He was pointing out that the cats should have run the clock down to 3 seconds instead of 6 so the wouldn't risk giving Montana a last second chance to score too.

Yes, Marty was right on with his comments on clock management. When Tommy was tackled with 28 seconds remaining in the first half, they ruled he was tackled out of bounds. It looked to me like he went down in bounds and the clock should have kept running. Sure glad it didn't.