It's been a crazy season full of ups and downs for the 2017 Griz. With a win next week the Griz most likely will carry on into the post season, and we may see them back here in Wa Griz if so, we may not. So today we knew we could get to see our seniors one last guaranteed time, and they did not disappoint.
This Griz senior class is a pretty unique group. A few transfers that came in here, recruited directly by this staff. A few others though came here under the prior staff full well knowing Delaney was an interim. All of these guys played through adversity placed on the program by the NCAA and UM. Additionally the transition of coaches, styles of offense/defense, retention and then loss of Gregorak, and the way 2016 ended... these guys had to work through it all and have shown excellent effort doing so.
Going down the line, our seniors ALL had a part in today's game; even the guys that were out for the season helped as could be, on the sidelines or rallying the fans raising the 37 flag.
The Griz are playing their best football of this season right now and are headed into yet another Griz-cat game where the post season hinges on a win, nothing new for a Bob Stitt coached team. The defense had now put together 10 consecutive quarters of rock-solid play and almost totally tipped the Grizzlies season turnover margin to even in one single game. (I believe the Griz went from -6 to -1 after today).
As always, some general observations:
- Gresch Jensen had maybe his best / most complete game in his young career. 68% passing, 4 total TDs, some more smart decisions running, and... NO turnovers. Glad to have #2 back out there and slinging the ball around. He was a little amped up early and some of his throws were a little off... but he settled in.
- 232 rushing yards, an almost 4.0 YPC average for the team (Calhoun 4.3, Lee 4.5), and no sacks given up by the 1st team O-line. These guys are getting better every week. This was a great game for them and Lee really fed off it. Speaking of Lee, best game of his Griz career too. Trucking defenders, making guys miss, fighting hard for yards. The Griz have a legit 1-2 punch in Lee and Calhoun.
- What a total game from the defense. The whole group helped rip this game open in the 2nd quarter. While the Griz only scored 9 points off turnovers it's pretty crazy to see what the defense (and special teams) in that 2nd quarter. UNC had 6 possessions. In those 6 possessions UNC had 29 total yards, 2 punts (1 blocked), and 3 turnovers. The Griz in the 2nd quarter started on the UM 47, UNC 15, UM 48, UNC 12, UNC 14, and UNC 30 and scored 16 points in that stretch.
- Individually another good game from the linebackers. Strahm lead the way in tackles and added 2.5 more TFLs, Banks recovered a fumble, Buss had an impressive pick. It was pointed out to me a few times UNC would attack the over-aggressive style of the Griz LB's, and with a little success. Overall though this group is playing like what we've grown to expect from senior-lead LB corps.
- Tucker Schye probably wont get much talk for Big Sky defensive MVP but this kid has to be one of the better defenders in the conference and he added a fumble and recovery to his already awesome stats. He's living up to the number he's wearing.
- Great pick by McKinley, and some overall great play by both him and Nash who kept UNC's one big thread, #81, from doing too much. Nash's pick and overall play as an RS Frosh has me excited for what he'll bring in the years ahead. #81 did have an early TD where Sanders appeared to cut in a little too shallow on that, but the defense responded well after that drive.
- Evan Epperly keeps playing damn good football. We'll probably be able to rotate all 3 safeties the rest of the way this season.
- I re-tweeted this comment but how crazy is it that last week's QB caught a touchdown from this week's QB?
- Special teams wise, still seeing guys improve every week. Williams smashing good punts and pinning UNC inside the 20. Purdy goes 3-3 and nails a 47 yarder that would've been good from over 50 for sure. The only long return UNC had was negated by a holding penalty.
- Caleb Hill showed some better composure with his extended time taking snaps... the two picks hurt though but are two things they'll catch and work out in film. The pick-6 probably shouldn't have been thrown, and the other pick, he had Corbin, probably for a TD, but underthrew it. Additionally that was 3rd and short and he had an easy run for a 1st that he probably should've opted for instead.
- JLM got lucky not fair catching the one punt he fumbled. I know he's got some freedom to do what he does best. Noticed Stitt talking to him extensively after that play.
- Hopefully Sandry's departure in the 3rd is a minor/precautionary one. He was walking around on the sideline about 15-20 minutes after.
- Bummed to see what I'd guess was a pretty bad knee/leg injury to Mitch McLaughlin.
- Toure's TD catch might've been one of the very best touchdown grabs I've ever seen live. That was some tremendous effort to adjust and catch that pass.
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I love the way this team is playing right now and now... it's cat week! It was a fun and relaxing day to send out the seniors... and hopefully with 1 more win we'll see them again in a few weeks time!
Go Griz!
This Griz senior class is a pretty unique group. A few transfers that came in here, recruited directly by this staff. A few others though came here under the prior staff full well knowing Delaney was an interim. All of these guys played through adversity placed on the program by the NCAA and UM. Additionally the transition of coaches, styles of offense/defense, retention and then loss of Gregorak, and the way 2016 ended... these guys had to work through it all and have shown excellent effort doing so.
Going down the line, our seniors ALL had a part in today's game; even the guys that were out for the season helped as could be, on the sidelines or rallying the fans raising the 37 flag.
The Griz are playing their best football of this season right now and are headed into yet another Griz-cat game where the post season hinges on a win, nothing new for a Bob Stitt coached team. The defense had now put together 10 consecutive quarters of rock-solid play and almost totally tipped the Grizzlies season turnover margin to even in one single game. (I believe the Griz went from -6 to -1 after today).
As always, some general observations:
- Gresch Jensen had maybe his best / most complete game in his young career. 68% passing, 4 total TDs, some more smart decisions running, and... NO turnovers. Glad to have #2 back out there and slinging the ball around. He was a little amped up early and some of his throws were a little off... but he settled in.
- 232 rushing yards, an almost 4.0 YPC average for the team (Calhoun 4.3, Lee 4.5), and no sacks given up by the 1st team O-line. These guys are getting better every week. This was a great game for them and Lee really fed off it. Speaking of Lee, best game of his Griz career too. Trucking defenders, making guys miss, fighting hard for yards. The Griz have a legit 1-2 punch in Lee and Calhoun.
- What a total game from the defense. The whole group helped rip this game open in the 2nd quarter. While the Griz only scored 9 points off turnovers it's pretty crazy to see what the defense (and special teams) in that 2nd quarter. UNC had 6 possessions. In those 6 possessions UNC had 29 total yards, 2 punts (1 blocked), and 3 turnovers. The Griz in the 2nd quarter started on the UM 47, UNC 15, UM 48, UNC 12, UNC 14, and UNC 30 and scored 16 points in that stretch.
- Individually another good game from the linebackers. Strahm lead the way in tackles and added 2.5 more TFLs, Banks recovered a fumble, Buss had an impressive pick. It was pointed out to me a few times UNC would attack the over-aggressive style of the Griz LB's, and with a little success. Overall though this group is playing like what we've grown to expect from senior-lead LB corps.
- Tucker Schye probably wont get much talk for Big Sky defensive MVP but this kid has to be one of the better defenders in the conference and he added a fumble and recovery to his already awesome stats. He's living up to the number he's wearing.
- Great pick by McKinley, and some overall great play by both him and Nash who kept UNC's one big thread, #81, from doing too much. Nash's pick and overall play as an RS Frosh has me excited for what he'll bring in the years ahead. #81 did have an early TD where Sanders appeared to cut in a little too shallow on that, but the defense responded well after that drive.
- Evan Epperly keeps playing damn good football. We'll probably be able to rotate all 3 safeties the rest of the way this season.
- I re-tweeted this comment but how crazy is it that last week's QB caught a touchdown from this week's QB?
- Special teams wise, still seeing guys improve every week. Williams smashing good punts and pinning UNC inside the 20. Purdy goes 3-3 and nails a 47 yarder that would've been good from over 50 for sure. The only long return UNC had was negated by a holding penalty.
- Caleb Hill showed some better composure with his extended time taking snaps... the two picks hurt though but are two things they'll catch and work out in film. The pick-6 probably shouldn't have been thrown, and the other pick, he had Corbin, probably for a TD, but underthrew it. Additionally that was 3rd and short and he had an easy run for a 1st that he probably should've opted for instead.
- JLM got lucky not fair catching the one punt he fumbled. I know he's got some freedom to do what he does best. Noticed Stitt talking to him extensively after that play.
- Hopefully Sandry's departure in the 3rd is a minor/precautionary one. He was walking around on the sideline about 15-20 minutes after.
- Bummed to see what I'd guess was a pretty bad knee/leg injury to Mitch McLaughlin.
- Toure's TD catch might've been one of the very best touchdown grabs I've ever seen live. That was some tremendous effort to adjust and catch that pass.
-----------------
I love the way this team is playing right now and now... it's cat week! It was a fun and relaxing day to send out the seniors... and hopefully with 1 more win we'll see them again in a few weeks time!
Go Griz!
