Post Game: Sound the alarm

[mthoopsfan]

I had wondered what had happened. Was no. 4 playing safety or the nickel then. Hauck often has run priority in the schemes. When the qb threw, I thought we'd pick it. Then, I looked to see the wide open receiver. Bummer play. Huge mistake. Can't happen. Someone has deep pass responsibility on that play. Even a late reaction would have been fine on that duck.

Hard to say for sure, it looked like we were man to man but with zone help over the middle. Fouch was lined up on the boundary slot but a little deeper than Cotton who was right up on the play side slot. Fouch reacts to the stop/go move as if he thinks he's in zone and has safety help behind him. The receiver goes right by him and is parallel with Hauck before both DB's realise what is happening and by then it's too late.

Thx.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I don’t know which was which, but the play where both safeties bit on the WR screen and the blocker ran free with no one near him was embarrassing. The badly underthrown ball made it a much closer play than it really was.

Just re-watched. Seems that one was on Fouch. He bit hard...and could not recover. Robby was also late to recover...then ran into Fouch. It was ugly.

Thx. Was the corner up on the line?

 

[mthoopsfan]

Griz did not play well and coaches made a mistake on not calling for a review on 4th down. The long td where the qb was being hit was crazy, did not look like he would get the ball even close to receiver. The onside kick to start second half was a huge kick to the nads.
Idaho played perfectly and got a few breaks and Montana was still in the game late. I will be in Sacramento and think Griz get a win, not giving up on these boys!

Good post. I think not calling for review was a mistake.

 

[Gaeilge1]

Boy, was I wrong about this game!!

That's all I have to say.

 

[#15 Fan]

Griz did not play well and coaches made a mistake on not calling for a review on 4th down. The long td where the qb was being hit was crazy, did not look like he would get the ball even close to receiver. The onside kick to start second half was a huge kick to the nads.
Idaho played perfectly and got a few breaks and Montana was still in the game late. I will be in Sacramento and think Griz get a win, not giving up on these boys!

This right here....the mistakes were unbelievable, and happened time and again, yet in the 4th the Griz are still in this. I think the part that hurts is the Griz had multiple chances to come back and win. Hell, we saw Idaho play slow, deliberate ball all game, but I'd be curious what their hurry-up looks like. Are they good because they take time to get calls in, see what the defense has on the field, etc? Idaho is a good but very beatable team, a game we win 9 out of 10 times. Suck State, I'm worried about this game, only game on the schedule I'm worried about this year. But I like a pissed off Grizzly team trying to play spoiler.....

 

[SoldierGriz]

Just re-watched. Seems that one was on Fouch. He bit hard...and could not recover. Robby was also late to recover...then ran into Fouch. It was ugly.

Thx. Was the corner up on the line?

Yes...Corner moved up to tackle the receiver...was obviously a fake...leaving coverage to Fouch.

Pretty good play by Idaho.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

It's Sunday morning and as I look out the window I can confirm, the sun did rise today :lol: Yesterday was maybe one of the more surprising and disappointing games I've seen in Wa Griz for quite some time. It's been hashed over here on this board plenty of times already. Idaho came in here and executed their plan perfectly, they controlled the clock, and the line of scrimmage. They made less errors, they took calculated risks, and they once again attacked the defense vertically with incredible success.

The stats from this game are just wild. Idaho with almost 300 passing, over 42:00 TOP, 44% 3rd down conversions, and Montana with just 145 yards of offense before their final 75 yard TD drive. The Griz were owned in what seemed like almost every aspect of this game. Credit is for sure due to Idaho, they came out of their bye week with the perfect game plan and now carry the Stein home for the first time since 1999. Yes there were odd/strange things that occurred and some frustrating officiating, but honestly - those moments weren't the reason for the loss.

As I reflected on this game, I see cause for alarm, hence the title here. Being a slightly different post-game breakdown here, these are what's stood out to me. And as always, I'm just a dumbass fan, so maybe I'm way off here.

Sound the Special Teams alarm - This honestly is the most baffling thing. Yesterday marked the third consecutive game where the kickoff return unit gave the ball to the opposing team. Idaho squibs a slow roller which causes panic, a Griz player touches it, and Idaho recovers. Against ISU the Griz fumbled a return, against PSU the Griz simply didn't pick up a short kick. This staff and these players pride themselves on preparedness and execution on special teams. Idaho's recovery scored them a field goal, ISU's didn't result in any points, PSU's resulted in a TD. We had a 2nd safety given up on a dropped punt snap this season and a blocked PAT. Grizzly special teams yesterday caused a 6 point swing in Idaho's favor.

Sound the Offense alarm - Montana's offense has not really had a good stretch now since the PSU game. The 2nd half of the ISU game was a struggle, and all of this Idaho game was. The OL seemed to have major issues opening lanes and getting a push yesterday. We've got just 1 game with a 100 yard runner I believe. Montana's offense now ranks 7th in the conference, passing the 3rd worst. Early in this season there was some call to concern that Lucas Johnson was running too much. My opinion is that he NEEDS to run more. The last two games it has seemed to me that the Griz offense is trying to rely more on RBs and the passing game and limit designed QB runs for LJ. He's more versatile when mobile and showed he's far more dangerous. Either Montana's design, or Idaho's defense (or both) forced LJ into being a pocket QB yesterday, and that's not his bag. And I'll admit, maybe Lucas is making these calls on his own - be it RPO or zone read... I just think he's at his best when he's running, and when that is taken away from him we see what the results are. Last night's USC v Utah game had two QBs where the offense used their mobility to open up both the running game and passing game. Don't tell me we can't see that here.

Sound the Defense alarm - This defense is reeling and yesterday was a tough bought for them, playing nearly 3/4's the game. Their points allowed is only getting higher each game, 0, 7, 14, 16, 20, 30. For a while there was argument that even if the offense has bad days, the D will keep teams locked up and thus not a lot of points will be needed to keep winning games. Yesterday... that proved false. Deep vertical routes in 1 on 1's and finding the holes in the Griz cover-3 were moneymakers all day.

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I don't think any of these points are controversial or deniable. I think the Griz have a lot to work on as this was quite possibly one of the worst performances we've seen from this team in quite some time. I also firmly believe this team can address/fix these issues and I know that all is not lost.

Take heart Griz fans and don't give up on these Griz. The coaches and players have been putting in work on this season since January. This loss is bad, but it doesn't have to define the season. Any fan that wants to give up on this team now had better not be back on here signing their praises when the Griz right the ship. We are definitely spoiled as fans but IMO one thing none of us should do at this point is quit on these guys.

Good Montana teams historically have bad losses. Could this be a crucible moment for the Griz? We'll find out real damn fast as these next two weeks don't offer any time for Montana to feel bad about themselves.

You've got this Griz, rebound and kick some ass! Go Griz!

This WASN'T a surprising loss AT ALL

I sounded the alarm a week ago (last Monday).

https://egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?t=89422

You're LATE to the party, but welcome.

The Griz are looking like the physical shits!!!

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

They need to improve 100% or they will have a 3 game losing streak.

I agree, and said this a week ago after the disgusting ISU (the worst team in the BSC) game.

1 out of 1 loss has happened since, will we see the 2 out of 2 and the 3 out of 3?

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

I, too, am just a dumba$$ fan, but for the life of me I cannot understand why you take a mobile guy like Lucas Johnson, and try to turn him into a pocket passer. It seems to me that the offense should be designed to get him out on the edges, MOVING, and reading the field 10+ yards downfield. It seems like he has performed well in those situations, and it seems like it is his comfort zone. Again, just a dumba$$, but putting him in the pocket to panic when our (seemingly subpar) O-line leaks rushers doesn't seem like the best use for him.

Idaho was using their super fast and athletic spy defender (transfer from Notre
Dame)preventing Lucas from leaving the pocket.

UI totally out game-anned and executed Montana, as acknowledged by Hauck.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

I don't think he has been coached to stay in the pocket. I think Idaho's defensive design forced it. They are the most disciplined team I have seen in a very long time. They stay in their rush lanes, don't lose contain, and had a spy on Johnson a good percentage of the time.

They made the Griz one dimensional...forcing Johnson to throw. It worked.

Johnson had various opportunities to run on his roll outs or flush outs. But didn't.

The Griz averaged 3 yards per carry, backing out the 19 yard loss on the dropped punt snap. Nothing to write home about. Idaho averaged 1.2 yards per carry in almost double the number of runs. Does that make them one dimensional too? I guess their dimension was better than UM's dimension.

I also thought he should have kept the and ran it himself on the read options on numerous occasions... Made the wrong decision as the RB got stuffed.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

I don't think he has been coached to stay in the pocket. I think Idaho's defensive design forced it. They are the most disciplined team I have seen in a very long time. They stay in their rush lanes, don't lose contain, and had a spy on Johnson a good percentage of the time.

They made the Griz one dimensional...forcing Johnson to throw. It worked.

Johnson had various opportunities to run on his roll outs or flush outs. But didn't.

The Griz averaged 3 yards per carry, backing out the 19 yard loss on the dropped punt snap. Nothing to write home about. Idaho averaged 1.2 yards per carry in almost double the number of runs. Does that make them one dimensional too? I guess their dimension was better than UM's dimension.

Idaho passed for more yards than UM because Idaho was facing the worst cover safeties in the country.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Why does it seem like every week the opposing QB looks like Eric Barriere against us?

GREAT point/comment!

Because Hauck doesn't recruit athletic safeties that can run hip to hip with receivers and make plays on the . His guys (son) have ZERO ball skills. Zero.

Hauck recruits run support safeties (good tacklers/box safeties/small linebacker types). Get these safeties (small linebackers really) out in space on speedsters and it's all over but the crying!

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Why does it seem like every week the opposing QB looks like Eric Barriere against us?

Because at this point any one of us could QB for the opposing team and complete 10-12 yard passes in the middle of the field in front of our AWFUL pass coverage safeties. The pass overage from our safeties is laughable at this point. They are a huge liability. Our very seasoned staff may want to find safeties who can cover a guy or at least be within 2 yards of them. Ours are constantly 5-8 yards away.

This is the
MOST CORRECT assertation in the history of Griz Football.

And the sad thing is this is the way it's been for a while.

That flippin' "Hail Mary" desperation, wounded duck, that the QB chucked up in in distress, is STILL fluttering wounded waiting to be picked off in the end zone!!!

But Hauck and Fouch are still clueless and falling into eachother while the receiver makes the uncontested touchdown catch. That was hideously bad safety play, the worst I've ever seen.

And the other long bomb given up by Corbin Walker is another shining example of clueless, ball skill lacking coverage. He always gives up TDs though, in his defense.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Because at this point any one of us could QB for the opposing team and complete 10-12 yard passes in the middle of the field in front of our AWFUL pass coverage safeties. The pass overage from our safeties is laughable at this point. They are a huge liability. Our very seasoned staff may want to find safeties who can cover a guy or at least be within 2 yards of them. Ours are constantly 5-8 yards away.

This is the
MOST CORRECT assertation in the history of Griz Football.

And the sad thing is this is the way it's been for a while.

And like the O-line issues, there seems to be no urgency to fix either.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Who got beaten on the 2 long passes? One was in the corner at goal line. One had a corner in coverage. Those TD's were 24 and 40 yards. The long was the day was 43. All 3 were Hatten. The 5'7" receiver had a long of 27. I recall the 2 TD's, but didn't see what went wrong with the one where we had no defender. I don't recall the 43 and 27 yarders. So, don't know where the balls were caught and who was in coverage. Without commenting on the coverage skills of the safeties, I don't recall seeing big coverage mistakes by the safeties.

Agree with this. Honestly - safeties were not an issue in this game. Corners did get beat a couple of times...including Ford.

Fouch was the Strong Safety and he bit on the fake, Hauck was the deep Free Safety. Hauck was extremely slow to react to anything. He got over to the deep third (his responsibility) way to late to do anything but fall somewhat near the WR (along with Fouch) and look like the stooges out there. PATHETIC.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Agree with this. Honestly - safeties were not an issue in this game. Corners did get beat a couple of times...including Ford.

Fouch was the Strong Safety and he bit on the fake, Hauck was the deep Free Safety. Hauck was extremely slow to react to anything. He got over to the deep third (his responsibility) way to late to do anything but fall somewhat near the WR (along with Fouch) and look like the stooges out there. PATHETIC.

Deep safeties, with any ball skills whatsoever, DREAM of defending that deep pass!!! But that isn't Haucks game.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Who got beaten on the 2 long passes? One was in the corner at goal line. One had a corner in coverage. Those TD's were 24 and 40 yards. The long was the day was 43. All 3 were Hatten. The 5'7" receiver had a long of 27. I recall the 2 TD's, but didn't see what went wrong with the one where we had no defender. I don't recall the 43 and 27 yarders. So, don't know where the balls were caught and who was in coverage. Without commenting on the coverage skills of the safeties, I don't recall seeing big coverage mistakes by the safeties.

Agree with this. Honestly - safeties were not an issue in this game. Corners did get beat a couple of times...including Ford.

Take off the night vision, bro!

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Who got beaten on the 2 long passes? One was in the corner at goal line. One had a corner in coverage. Those TD's were 24 and 40 yards. The long was the day was 43. All 3 were Hatten. The 5'7" receiver had a long of 27. I recall the 2 TD's, but didn't see what went wrong with the one where we had no defender. I don't recall the 43 and 27 yarders. So, don't know where the balls were caught and who was in coverage. Without commenting on the coverage skills of the safeties, I don't recall seeing big coverage mistakes by the safeties.

On the ball where the Idaho QB was getting hit and already wrapped up and basically threw up what seemed like a Hail Mary, both Robby and Fouch bit really hard toward the line of scrimmage even though the QB was already getting wrapped up and they had no business biting that hard. They both left that receiver completely open to make a catch that was completely unchallenged and waltz into the end zone. This is becoming quite the trend with the safeties. They are some of the best run stopping safeties in the league and possibly in all of FCS but it makes them absolutely miserable at pass coverage.

I 1,000% agree with you, and have said this for years. The Griz safeties think they are linebackers, and forget their #1 responsibility is their coverage responsibilities (unless blitzing).

Why does everyone think Hauck is the All-Time school tackle leader? Because he plays the run harder than most safeties (when he shouldn't). And because he is hideous in pass coverage, his man catches A LOT of passes, so he has more opportunities for tackles!!

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

:lol:

The ST's are more than onside kick coverage, dropped punt snaps, and bad extra point. I'm, of course, fine with those criticisms.

The UM punter averaged 49 yards. Punt returns and kick returns were very good, setting up good field position. 2-41 on punt returns, and 2-62 on KO returns. Idaho punt returns were 2 for 11 yards. Idaho had zero KO returns. 1-1 on FG. Rohrbach is averaging 44.9 and is 5th in the nation. The Griz are 2d in nation in net punting, at 42.3. UM is 8th in nation in KO return defense.

Bruschini is averaging 42.3 and is 41st in nation.

So you found a couple pieces of bubble gum still in wrappers in the septic tank. Good for you.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :thumb:

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Maybe if they weren't so hell bent on entertaining their coach (and daddy) with their hustle and hitting ability they could actually do the other part of their job. Never mind we have perfectly capable LBers usually in position to take care of those runners. Imagine having to be Baer and design defenses that cover your safety because he knows they are going to get beat one on one.

:agree: