All last week I was worried this PSU game would be a trap game, and I was proven to be entirely incorrect on that sentiment. PSU opened with a scripted drive that had some nice success and then saw Montana score 31 unanswered to easily put the game out of reach. Against the supposedly 2nd best rushing offense in the conference Montana held them to just 93 rushing yards. PSU had 255 total yards, with 64 of those coming on a later meaningless TD pass. The Grizzly defense did once again what it's done all year - force a team out of what it does best, and then totally disrupt the offense into a lot of inefficient plays.
Obviously the MSU offense is the best in the FCS when it comes to running the ball so this upcoming weekend will prove a much mightier test than last night was. However, I do have to say that the Grizzly defense once again rose to the occasion and largely kept Portland from being able to run well. The defense tallied up 9 TFLs - I wonder if they lead the Big Sky in that (I'm too lazy to check right now) and tallied up 3 sacks against a QB that isn't sacked that often at all. The Grizzly ground game was churning and Cliff could seemingly do little to no wrong. Things are going to get much tougher now for this whole team but it was great to see a lot of things continue to come together.
A few additional thoughts:
- The loss of Liam Brown is really concerning, that injury looked real bad and I'm just gutted for the guy who was playing well on the interior. Also WTF Portland for not having a cart for injured players. McCabe subbed in and did well but it was against a marginally inferior defensive line, can he hold his own from here on out? We'll see. Also really worried the sudden loss of Fontes (not sure what the deal is with him)
- Great night for Racanelli, in the absence of Fontes he did well as that guy who found the soft spot in the PSU zone defense. I believe he converted a few 3rd downs with catches, right?
- McDowell had yet another night of plays that just baffled the defense. A twisting/turning fake out TD run, a 4th down run where he stiff arms a PSU defender into the dirt, a few very nice throws too… He keeps on just finding ways to get it done!
- Beyond the Brown injury the big other item of concern to me coming out of this game were again costly penalties. A very questionable OPI wipes out a TD that turns into a field goal. A holding later takes away another TD and then a flurry of penalties after push the Griz all the way out of the red zone and force them to punt. That’ll sink this team if they do that against MSU.
- Almost 35 minutes of TOP and finishing 9 of 16 on 3rd down (was 7 for 9 at the half) was awesome. I’ll have this in a few days in my scouting report but I think this type of stuff is what’ll help Montana against MSU. Clock control, meaningful drives (first 4 resulted in scores), and solid 3rd down efficiency.
- Ah Yat showed more great stuff that further confirms to me the future is so bright with this kid.
- A depth / ST guy that’s been just making more and more plays is Jace Klucewich, I just keep seeing more and more good stuff from him.
- Riley Wilson hunting down and tackling / sacking Chachere repeatedly is something we’re going to need A LOT of this next week. He could be that one dude that really is a major factor against mobile QBs.
-----
Seems like everyone’s already on to Cat week – however this was a great win for Montana as they’ve now easily exceeded all regular season expectations and still have the conference title and a high playoff seed to play for. I think last nights win locks in a seed, this weekends game determines if it’s a high seed or a lower one – so much on the line! Time to focus up and get ready for one of the biggest Brawls I ever recall.
Go Griz!
Obviously the MSU offense is the best in the FCS when it comes to running the ball so this upcoming weekend will prove a much mightier test than last night was. However, I do have to say that the Grizzly defense once again rose to the occasion and largely kept Portland from being able to run well. The defense tallied up 9 TFLs - I wonder if they lead the Big Sky in that (I'm too lazy to check right now) and tallied up 3 sacks against a QB that isn't sacked that often at all. The Grizzly ground game was churning and Cliff could seemingly do little to no wrong. Things are going to get much tougher now for this whole team but it was great to see a lot of things continue to come together.
A few additional thoughts:
- The loss of Liam Brown is really concerning, that injury looked real bad and I'm just gutted for the guy who was playing well on the interior. Also WTF Portland for not having a cart for injured players. McCabe subbed in and did well but it was against a marginally inferior defensive line, can he hold his own from here on out? We'll see. Also really worried the sudden loss of Fontes (not sure what the deal is with him)
- Great night for Racanelli, in the absence of Fontes he did well as that guy who found the soft spot in the PSU zone defense. I believe he converted a few 3rd downs with catches, right?
- McDowell had yet another night of plays that just baffled the defense. A twisting/turning fake out TD run, a 4th down run where he stiff arms a PSU defender into the dirt, a few very nice throws too… He keeps on just finding ways to get it done!
- Beyond the Brown injury the big other item of concern to me coming out of this game were again costly penalties. A very questionable OPI wipes out a TD that turns into a field goal. A holding later takes away another TD and then a flurry of penalties after push the Griz all the way out of the red zone and force them to punt. That’ll sink this team if they do that against MSU.
- Almost 35 minutes of TOP and finishing 9 of 16 on 3rd down (was 7 for 9 at the half) was awesome. I’ll have this in a few days in my scouting report but I think this type of stuff is what’ll help Montana against MSU. Clock control, meaningful drives (first 4 resulted in scores), and solid 3rd down efficiency.
- Ah Yat showed more great stuff that further confirms to me the future is so bright with this kid.
- A depth / ST guy that’s been just making more and more plays is Jace Klucewich, I just keep seeing more and more good stuff from him.
- Riley Wilson hunting down and tackling / sacking Chachere repeatedly is something we’re going to need A LOT of this next week. He could be that one dude that really is a major factor against mobile QBs.
-----
Seems like everyone’s already on to Cat week – however this was a great win for Montana as they’ve now easily exceeded all regular season expectations and still have the conference title and a high playoff seed to play for. I think last nights win locks in a seed, this weekends game determines if it’s a high seed or a lower one – so much on the line! Time to focus up and get ready for one of the biggest Brawls I ever recall.
Go Griz!
