I know it's cat week now and with the gameday news most talk has shifted over to the game ahead. But, I like doing these post game write ups! :lol:
It was another decisive victory for Montana in as many weeks against a team with a terrible defense and apparently no heart or desire to compete much. I was honestly surprised at what little fight EWU had in the game. Despite a crap-sandwich of a season they had a chance to come end their #1 rival's post season hopes. Instead, they came out flat and played like total garbage. Furthermore it felt like their coaching staff didn't even care either. Facing a 3rd and 7 on their first possession they opt to run it, the next two possessions on 3rd down they're throwing well short of the first down line. Before EWU could blink - not even 10:00 of clock time into the game - it's 21-0 and the writing is on the wall.
Much like the Cal Poly win, this felt great to see the Griz rolling, and once again it probably needs to be taken with a big grain of salt because EWU's defense is/was god awful. What I do really like was that Montana needed to show in these last two weeks that they can get back on track and play the game they know they can do. Consider that done.
A few more thoughts from the game:
- The LJ injury really concerns me. He got hit in his back leg and was in serious pain on the field. Yes he jogged off, but then on crutches for the 2nd half. Maybe Hauck gamesmanship, maybe not. We've continually said that this offense works best with him in it. And now we're headed into the biggest game of the season. Lucas was playing really well, not opting to run too often, keeping his eyes downfield, and connecting well with the WRs/TEs.
- Britt looked great, the pick was a little flukey, but that happens. His athleticism shined through and it makes me really excited for his future at Montana. A great TD pass to Grossman and a damn good TD run showcased his day. Still was might have been a few mis-reads with the run game, but on this day it didn't matter too much.
- Where was Kris Brown? Did he get injured this week? Or was the design to make sure Britt has as many reps as possible headed into the brawl - especially considering the health/status of Johnson is now unknown?
- Another hell of a day for Nick Ostmo, even out running EWU DBs/CBs for a long TD. He's our guy going forward and I assume Bobby and staff are going to really lean on this dude to be our workhorse.
- I liked the run plays for Flowers, keep working those in.
- Grossman showed why he needs more than 1 to 2 touches per game
- Robby's 12 tackles yesterday puts him 20 shy of tying Kane Ioane's Big Sky Conference record. Probably not possible for him to break it next week, the Griz will need to find the post season for that to happen.
- I count 11 TFLs but just 2 sacks for the Montana defense. That's pretty wild.
- I thought that Garret Hustedt flashed some great skill again. He's playing in the place of an injured/out Kale Edwards I believe and did some real good things. Feels like his opportunities are expanding for him.
- I love flyovers for games. That one was... cool... but... way high up there haha.
- Marcus Knight in the portal. Got the news at the tailgates. Bummer, honestly, and I wish him all the best. It seems more fans have wished him well than trashed on him and that's good to see. These guys put in blood, sweat, and tears for this program and their teammates and sometimes it just doesn't work out. I hope that where ever he lands he gets a chance to shine again.
- Montana was actually kind of bad on 3rd down yesterday... just 4 - 10. However they did go 3-4 on 4th over that stretch so that helps. Moving ahead the Griz need to keep that efficiency much higher on 3rd and not get into situations where they've got to go for it on 4th. Meanwhile EWU was 3-16... yikes.
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I've finally warmed back up, that was a little brisk out there, and I'm ready to hop into the rivalry week now. The Grizzlies are going to be facing a team with a level of intensity they've not seen in a few weeks and that will be a big thing to adapt to. Hopefully the Griz can get healthy and be ready to keep rolling!
FTC and Go Griz!
It was another decisive victory for Montana in as many weeks against a team with a terrible defense and apparently no heart or desire to compete much. I was honestly surprised at what little fight EWU had in the game. Despite a crap-sandwich of a season they had a chance to come end their #1 rival's post season hopes. Instead, they came out flat and played like total garbage. Furthermore it felt like their coaching staff didn't even care either. Facing a 3rd and 7 on their first possession they opt to run it, the next two possessions on 3rd down they're throwing well short of the first down line. Before EWU could blink - not even 10:00 of clock time into the game - it's 21-0 and the writing is on the wall.
Much like the Cal Poly win, this felt great to see the Griz rolling, and once again it probably needs to be taken with a big grain of salt because EWU's defense is/was god awful. What I do really like was that Montana needed to show in these last two weeks that they can get back on track and play the game they know they can do. Consider that done.
A few more thoughts from the game:
- The LJ injury really concerns me. He got hit in his back leg and was in serious pain on the field. Yes he jogged off, but then on crutches for the 2nd half. Maybe Hauck gamesmanship, maybe not. We've continually said that this offense works best with him in it. And now we're headed into the biggest game of the season. Lucas was playing really well, not opting to run too often, keeping his eyes downfield, and connecting well with the WRs/TEs.
- Britt looked great, the pick was a little flukey, but that happens. His athleticism shined through and it makes me really excited for his future at Montana. A great TD pass to Grossman and a damn good TD run showcased his day. Still was might have been a few mis-reads with the run game, but on this day it didn't matter too much.
- Where was Kris Brown? Did he get injured this week? Or was the design to make sure Britt has as many reps as possible headed into the brawl - especially considering the health/status of Johnson is now unknown?
- Another hell of a day for Nick Ostmo, even out running EWU DBs/CBs for a long TD. He's our guy going forward and I assume Bobby and staff are going to really lean on this dude to be our workhorse.
- I liked the run plays for Flowers, keep working those in.
- Grossman showed why he needs more than 1 to 2 touches per game
- Robby's 12 tackles yesterday puts him 20 shy of tying Kane Ioane's Big Sky Conference record. Probably not possible for him to break it next week, the Griz will need to find the post season for that to happen.
- I count 11 TFLs but just 2 sacks for the Montana defense. That's pretty wild.
- I thought that Garret Hustedt flashed some great skill again. He's playing in the place of an injured/out Kale Edwards I believe and did some real good things. Feels like his opportunities are expanding for him.
- I love flyovers for games. That one was... cool... but... way high up there haha.
- Marcus Knight in the portal. Got the news at the tailgates. Bummer, honestly, and I wish him all the best. It seems more fans have wished him well than trashed on him and that's good to see. These guys put in blood, sweat, and tears for this program and their teammates and sometimes it just doesn't work out. I hope that where ever he lands he gets a chance to shine again.
- Montana was actually kind of bad on 3rd down yesterday... just 4 - 10. However they did go 3-4 on 4th over that stretch so that helps. Moving ahead the Griz need to keep that efficiency much higher on 3rd and not get into situations where they've got to go for it on 4th. Meanwhile EWU was 3-16... yikes.
--------
I've finally warmed back up, that was a little brisk out there, and I'm ready to hop into the rivalry week now. The Grizzlies are going to be facing a team with a level of intensity they've not seen in a few weeks and that will be a big thing to adapt to. Hopefully the Griz can get healthy and be ready to keep rolling!
FTC and Go Griz!
