Post Game: Not the year for low-stress wins

[billingsgriz]

I just listened to the game on the radio while at work and have not watched the game replay yet, but wasn't that NAU scoop and score due to a bad snap ?

It just makes sense that if Fife has to dig the ball out of the turf or jump so that it doesn't go flying over his head, the timing of the called play will be at least somewhat disrupted. And if Fife is hit while trying to field grounders or the football does sail over his head--both he and Ah Yat stand 6 feet tall and sometimes those numbers are fudged at least a little, we not only face a turnover but a possible injury to our QB !!!

Hopefully during the bye, Klimczak will work on his snaps to both Fife and Ah Yat. A bad snap or two could cost us a W in our remaining five games, not to mention the playoffs !!!

 

[rgrizfan]

On their big trick play, we looked really confused. You don't always have to save timeouts for the end of the game...we still had three when the game was over.

 

[grizband]

Interesting results through 7 weeks:

Both of Montana's losses were by a single score
Two of Montana's wins were by less than a touchdown
Montana has come back from double digit deficits in three games

What does all of this mean? Maybe nothing, except all of the games against scholarship teams have been exciting.

 

[Ursa Major]

Have only seen the extended high light package, so grain of salt. We seemed to have some trouble snapping the ball, lots of low and couple high, throws the timing off of everything. On the other side, lots of over pursue which tends to happen when you lack speed, you want to get to the point and then can't break down as easily on the cut backs. Straight line speed and game speed are not the same thing.

It looked like Cade Klimczak was injured/shaken up on the first series. Not sure if that had anything to do with the snaps but they were inconsistent all day.

 

[garizzalies]

Sorry but the D was horrible.

 

[armonte]

The sky has definitely fallen, Gillman is nursing a sore shoulder.

 

[HookedonGriz]

The sky has definitely fallen, Gillman is nursing a sore shoulder.

He will be fine. The bye week is good timing for him and a couple others.

 

[behappp]

On kickoffs Bergen seems to have almost always gone his right every time.
The explosive returns last year he always went to his left.
Good to see some excellent half time adjustments done and executed very well by the Griz.

Actually he goes to his left which is towards the middle of the field

 

[AZGrizFan]

Interesting results through 7 weeks:

Both of Montana's losses were by a single score
Two of Montana's wins were by less than a touchdown
Montana has come back from double digit deficits in three games

What does all of this mean? Maybe nothing, except all of the games against scholarship teams have been exciting.

Just posted this in another thread…how many times we gonna be able to dodge the proverbial bullet if we keep letting the opponent get up by 10-18 points?

 

[HikeGlacier]

Alright Griz fans, that was a stressful one, but thankfully the Griz offense came alive in the 2nd half and secured the win. At halftime I think the whole stadium and the team was still hungover from the Weber loss and just trying to figure out what the heck was happening. Fortunately they got it together in the 2nd half on the offensive side of the ball and thanks to a few big plays - put them away late.

I think this is just going to be what 2024 is, this Grizzly team will be in every game and can lose every game too. Thankfully the guys buckled down and got the win on homecoming.

Some quick thoughts:

- I think it's funny if the offense doesn't spot NAU that scoop and score, the Griz win 31-13, and if the Griz offense finds the endzone just once in the first half it's 38-13 and I think generally we're all feeling a little better.

- This was NAU's 3rd string QB and he did play fairly well against the Griz, however they kind of buckled down on him as the game went on, especially in the 2nd half. More concerning stuff where he was faking/juking out our defenders on runs that went for more than the should have though. The NAU offense was a shell of what it normally could be but they hung around all day. But I'll take 306 allowed yards all day long after the last few weeks.

- Solid 4th quarter for Ronald Jackson, hope that type of play can continue. I see he was 2nd best on the stat sheet in stops too!

- Seemed like Gillman was dinged up, didn't totally look like himself tonight.

- The Grizzly defense did much better today, yes it's a 3rd string QB, and yes they gave up 1 big run... but if they can do what they did today down the road that'll bode well for Montana.

- Save the late forced fumble Montana's defense really has an issue creating turnovers.

- Montana defense having issues with a rushing QB doesn't look good for some of their future games

- Great to see so many UM WR's stepping up. White and Fife were dialed early, Bergen a clutch TD, Racanelli leading the group in catches and yards... and Fontes making a game-sealing play late.

- Is it me or does Junior just not have the burst that we're used to seeing on special teams?

- Grizzly defense held the best pass catching TE in the conference to just 8 yards

-----------

I think the timing of this bye is great. The Griz got a much needed win but also seem pretty banged up. Let's hope they can rest up, get healthy and start building for the late season stretch!

Go Griz!

I don't think there is anything wrong with Junior. The quality of player blocking for him on returns is significantly lower. Go back and watch Junior's returns last year, and you will see Racanelli knocking the piss out of people.

 

[GrizWin99]

I don't think there is anything wrong with Junior. The quality of player blocking for him on returns is significantly lower. Go back and watch Junior's returns last year, and you will see Racanelli knocking the piss out of people.

Both are true. Junior has been playing at <100% all season. Return blocking hasn’t been as crisp either. Another compounding factor is weather. Although I’ve loved sitting in shorts and a t-shirt in October, it’s a lot easier to punt/kick when it’s 68°F. Much needed bye week.

 

[garizzalies]

Both are true. Junior has been playing at <100% all season. Return blocking hasn’t been as crisp either. Another compounding factor is weather. Although I’ve loved sitting in shorts and a t-shirt in October, it’s a lot easier to punt/kick when it’s 68°F. Much needed bye week.

Are you going to do another participation thread? Love those.
I saw Mason get some snaps, and I also thought I saw some other OLs get their first snaps too, but maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me

 

[GrizWin99]

Are you going to do another participation thread? Love those.
I saw Mason get some snaps, and I also thought I saw some other OLs get their first snaps too, but maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me

Yes, it should come out today. I watch the game in person, then watch the replay to double check.

 

[BWahlberg]

I just listened to the game on the radio while at work and have not watched the game replay yet, but wasn't that NAU scoop and score due to a bad snap ?

It just makes sense that if Fife has to dig the ball out of the turf or jump so that it doesn't go flying over his head, the timing of the called play will be at least somewhat disrupted. And if Fife is hit while trying to field grounders or the football does sail over his head--both he and Ah Yat stand 6 feet tall and sometimes those numbers are fudged at least a little, we not only face a turnover but a possible injury to our QB !!!

Hopefully during the bye, Klimczak will work on his snaps to both Fife and Ah Yat. A bad snap or two could cost us a W in our remaining five games, not to mention the playoffs !!!

It seemed like it was mostly the first half but #72 had some bad snaps early, Fife was picking a lot of them up off the ground.

 

[billingsgriz]

I lnow the coaches will have Brown and at least one other OL, like Declan McCabe who has played backup center for us last year, making some snaps @ center in practice just in case #72 Cade Klimzcak is hurt and can't go against Northern Colorado or any games after NC.

I don't envy our center--I think AJ Forbes kinda spoiled us the last three years !!! Not only do you have to make the calls for your buddies next to you on the O line, you have to accurately snap the ball to our QB when he's in the shotgun and block some monster 285-300 lb. NT like our own Alex Gubner the last three years or Patrick Hayden this year who is close enough to that you can occasionally feel and smell his hot , bad breath as he stares at you like a grizzly eyeballing an elk for lunch !!!