Post Game: We should probably get used to this

[indiancoyote]

The Grizzlies came away from Wa Griz with another close 1 score game, but fortunately in the form of a victory. Even said so himself in the post-game press conference Bobby admitted this team doesn't seem to have the guys and/or the ability to pull away from teams. That tells me... get used to this, this is probably the identity of the 2023 Grizzlies. We've seen 5 games so far, save the Utah Tech one it's had it's fair share of closer moments (against poorer teams) and now we're headed into the tougher part of conference play.

I'm late getting this up so many thoughts have already been shared. There was a few things I wanted to put in:

1. I cannot stress this enough access to the stadium is damn mess and is ruining fan experience. Both north entrances that are probably handling 1/3 to 1/2 of the stadium access had 2 gates open and 1 staffer wanding everyone. There was a bag check line, but no one was checking bags. There were other gates that could be opened and staffed... yet they weren't. I got in line at 1:40 standing almost with my back to the campers on campus drive. At 2:18 I was in the stadium. This has gone on for years and is getting worse each time. Fans were mad and yelling - this happened 2 weeks ago as well. For the prices of tickets to the game - especially the highway robbery that GrizTix is reselling them at it is utterly embarrassing what little care or attention is being put into accessing the stadium. I can get into other college games, NFL games, and concerts faster. This isn't some new world unheard of process that we're trying to figure out as it's happening.

2. The Grizzly offense just isn't going to be one that crushes teams. Idaho State had / has one of the very worst rush defenses in the conference yet we couldn't muster up a single 100 yard rusher. The Griz rushing game averaged 3.4 yards per carry against a team that was allowing an average of almost 6 yards per carry before. I noticed we seemed to be entirely without MayGinnes and possibly Casey too. The OL again had issues with creating large rushing lanes and our running backs seemed generally unable to get into space in the 2nd level and rip off larger/longer runs. Furthermore I'm even more confused as to what or if there's a plan for an identity of this offense. It "felt" to this fan watching that for quite some time the Griz were trying to fit a square peg in a round hole asking McDowell to pass 20 times in the game.

3. Montana's defense, as expected, had issues with ISU's pass attack. ISU's QB was never sacked in the game (Montana's QBs were sacked 3 times). The Grizzlies inability to generate pressure was a frustrating factor in the game that allowed the ISU passing game to keep picking the Grizzlies apart. Both Jackson and Walker's picks were very good awareness plays, great to see both of those guys getting in on things and forcing some turnovers - Jackson's lead to a TD, Walker's sealed the game.

4. With 5 1/2 minutes left to go in the game Montana's offense got the ball, their 2nd attempt in 3 weeks to close the game with the ball. What'd they do? Go 6 plays, wind 2 minutes off the clock, and punt. This is probably also something else we should just expect - I don't know if this offense is going to put a team away when needed late.

5. I really liked the broader use of misdirection and WRs in the running game. Caught ISU off guard, and then we even throw a TD pass from it. Good stuff.

I think that's about all I've got, have at it egriz!

Go Griz!

Here’s a secret Brent. Walk through hall of fame area and enter by the champions center. I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes to get in the stadium.

 

[Missoula223]

Wins ain’t easy!

My only real concern defensively is our lack of sacks. Usually when you play man, you know you are taking a gamble and saying we will get to the Qb before he can throw a good ball. I certainly don’t have the answers, but man it would be nice to hit the Qb in the backfield more often if you’re going to play man.

When this defense was installed, it was clearly new enough that opposing coaches had trouble figuring out where the pressure was going to come from. That was the point, wasnt it? Literally bring guys from everywhere. Safeties and corners were often part of it. But they also had guys like Olson and Paddy O lining up and chasing.

Right now, and this is probably just me, I see the backers creeping up and standing in the scrimmage line and firing directly into the lineman in front of them. If Gubs can get free on one of the fifty loop-the-loops they send him on each game, or one of the linebackers playing end isn't engulfed by a 300 lb tackle, they might also get a chance. Wilson has some top-end speed, and when healthy, might be that guy. After five seasons of the same old, why does anyone think that without the kind of horeses needed, full-sized D-Lineman for one, that they arent going to wear down, have trouble getting off blocks and become even less effective rushing the passer. Like last season.

Yeah maybe it’s just me. But I just went back and checked the stats. NAU had 32 passing attempts and ISU had 47. We had 0 sacks through those 2 games. I’m aware we have QB hurries and I am aware quick game is a part of it and screens and all that, but to have 79 passing attempts and 0 sacks isn’t ideal. We want to point the fingers at the secondary and I get that they can definitely be better, but there’s something to having time to throw the ball despite hoops claiming pass rush doesn’t matter. Additionally, we are leading the nation in interceptions. But yeah I’m with you this defense is designed to pressure the Qb from various angles, and I’m not sure we are currently doing that.

 

[IdaGriz01]

On the general thread theme .... Yep.

Having followed the Griz for our (paltry) thirty year or so, we can say we've stuck with some "cardiac Griz" teams all the way ... often with amazing results.

 

[3-7-77]

Log jams at the gates are total BS. This should be a well oiled machine for all the games that have been played there. Another Haslam moment.

 

[mthoopsfan]

When this defense was installed, it was clearly new enough that opposing coaches had trouble figuring out where the pressure was going to come from. That was the point, wasnt it? Literally bring guys from everywhere. Safeties and corners were often part of it. But they also had guys like Olson and Paddy O lining up and chasing.

Right now, and this is probably just me, I see the backers creeping up and standing in the scrimmage line and firing directly into the lineman in front of them. If Gubs can get free on one of the fifty loop-the-loops they send him on each game, or one of the linebackers playing end isn't engulfed by a 300 lb tackle, they might also get a chance. Wilson has some top-end speed, and when healthy, might be that guy. After five seasons of the same old, why does anyone think that without the kind of horeses needed, full-sized D-Lineman for one, that they arent going to wear down, have trouble getting off blocks and become even less effective rushing the passer. Like last season.

Yeah maybe it’s just me. But I just went back and checked the stats. NAU had 32 passing attempts and ISU had 47. We had 0 sacks through those 2 games. I’m aware we have QB hurries and I am aware quick game is a part of it and screens and all that, but to have 79 passing attempts and 0 sacks isn’t ideal. We want to point the fingers at the secondary and I get that they can definitely be better, but there’s something to having time to throw the ball despite hoops claiming pass rush doesn’t matter. Additionally, we are leading the nation in interceptions. But yeah I’m with you this defense is designed to pressure the Qb from various angles, and I’m not sure we are currently doing that.

I have said that covering receivers is not "solely" dependent on the rush (that comment of yours was idiotic) and not "100% correlated". Both of those comments were wrong. Of course, pass rush is one of many factors in covering receivers. Again, technique, type of defense, eyes, quickness, speed, linebacker help, free safety help, etc.

UM held ISU to its second lowest passing yardage of the season. UM gave up 6.1 per pass and 9.3 per completed pass. SDS - 5.1 and 10.4. Utah St - 6.1 and 9.5. UNI - 7.2 and 10.6. UNC - 7.8 and 12.5.

So, UM was better in every category, for both per pass and per pass completed, than all but SDS in per pass. Much better in pass per completion than all but SDS.

The DC is not calling as many blitzes. There were more in the second half. Last year, there was may more heat being brought. I was calling for more heat on Saturday.

Yes, 0 sacks is not good in any game. UM did start to put some heat on the qb as the game went on, and that impacted him. Riley Wilson's speed, and perhaps more things, helps with pressure. He's fast and certainly faster than Janacaro. Both were very good players, tho. Obviously, picks are very good.

I believe ISU had the 3 most passing yardage per game coming into the Griz game.

 

[GottaluvGriz]

The Grizzlies came away from Wa Griz with another close 1 score game, but fortunately in the form of a victory. Even said so himself in the post-game press conference Bobby admitted this team doesn't seem to have the guys and/or the ability to pull away from teams. That tells me... get used to this, this is probably the identity of the 2023 Grizzlies. We've seen 5 games so far, save the Utah Tech one it's had it's fair share of closer moments (against poorer teams) and now we're headed into the tougher part of conference play.

I'm late getting this up so many thoughts have already been shared. There was a few things I wanted to put in:

1. I cannot stress this enough access to the stadium is damn mess and is ruining fan experience. Both north entrances that are probably handling 1/3 to 1/2 of the stadium access had 2 gates open and 1 staffer wanding everyone. There was a bag check line, but no one was checking bags. There were other gates that could be opened and staffed... yet they weren't. I got in line at 1:40 standing almost with my back to the campers on campus drive. At 2:18 I was in the stadium. This has gone on for years and is getting worse each time. Fans were mad and yelling - this happened 2 weeks ago as well. For the prices of tickets to the game - especially the highway robbery that GrizTix is reselling them at it is utterly embarrassing what little care or attention is being put into accessing the stadium. I can get into other college games, NFL games, and concerts faster. This isn't some new world unheard of process that we're trying to figure out as it's happening.

2. The Grizzly offense just isn't going to be one that crushes teams. Idaho State had / has one of the very worst rush defenses in the conference yet we couldn't muster up a single 100 yard rusher. The Griz rushing game averaged 3.4 yards per carry against a team that was allowing an average of almost 6 yards per carry before. I noticed we seemed to be entirely without MayGinnes and possibly Casey too. The OL again had issues with creating large rushing lanes and our running backs seemed generally unable to get into space in the 2nd level and rip off larger/longer runs. Furthermore I'm even more confused as to what or if there's a plan for an identity of this offense. It "felt" to this fan watching that for quite some time the Griz were trying to fit a square peg in a round hole asking McDowell to pass 20 times in the game.

3. Montana's defense, as expected, had issues with ISU's pass attack. ISU's QB was never sacked in the game (Montana's QBs were sacked 3 times). The Grizzlies inability to generate pressure was a frustrating factor in the game that allowed the ISU passing game to keep picking the Grizzlies apart. Both Jackson and Walker's picks were very good awareness plays, great to see both of those guys getting in on things and forcing some turnovers - Jackson's lead to a TD, Walker's sealed the game.

4. With 5 1/2 minutes left to go in the game Montana's offense got the ball, their 2nd attempt in 3 weeks to close the game with the ball. What'd they do? Go 6 plays, wind 2 minutes off the clock, and punt. This is probably also something else we should just expect - I don't know if this offense is going to put a team away when needed late.

5. I really liked the broader use of misdirection and WRs in the running game. Caught ISU off guard, and then we even throw a TD pass from it. Good stuff.

I think that's about all I've got, have at it egriz!

Go Griz!

Here’s a secret Brent. Walk through hall of fame area and enter by the champions center. I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes to get in the stadium.

BW,
You must have been just behind my group heading into the North entrance. We got in line at 1:30 pm and got to our seats as the teams were lining up for the kickoff. Just barely made it!
I witnessed exactly what you mentioned. Only two gates open, one with the Meg machine and the other with one gal completely scanning both legs, body and both arms on every person entering. That was the reason for the long line. As the fans were seeing what she was doing and taking way too long to get it done, they were yelling “let’s go” and “hurry up”, etc. The gal scanning was actually stoping and getting into verbal exchanges with the throng of people looking at their watches knowing they were going to miss the kickoff even though they got in line 30 minutes prior.
If that truly what the instruction is for the person scanning at the gate, then there needs to be at least 3-4 people scanning. They actually had 2-3 people scanning the tickets/phones behind the security gal; however, that did not help the line.
I appreciate you bringing this issue forward as it definitely is aggravating and lessening what should be a great game day experience.
Go Griz!

 

[IdahoGrizFan]

On the YouTube replay there was a clip with the Farris State head coach who said he would love to coach here.

 

[brewskis]

Yeah maybe it’s just me. But I just went back and checked the stats. NAU had 32 passing attempts and ISU had 47. We had 0 sacks through those 2 games. I’m aware we have QB hurries and I am aware quick game is a part of it and screens and all that, but to have 79 passing attempts and 0 sacks isn’t ideal. We want to point the fingers at the secondary and I get that they can definitely be better, but there’s something to having time to throw the ball despite hoops claiming pass rush doesn’t matter. Additionally, we are leading the nation in interceptions. But yeah I’m with you this defense is designed to pressure the Qb from various angles, and I’m not sure we are currently doing that.

I have said that covering receivers is not "solely" dependent on the rush (that comment of yours was idiotic) and not "100% correlated". Both of those comments were wrong. Of course, pass rush is one of many factors in covering receivers. Again, technique, type of defense, eyes, quickness, speed, linebacker help, free safety help, etc.

UM held ISU to its second lowest passing yardage of the season. UM gave up 6.1 per pass and 9.3 per completed pass. SDS - 5.1 and 10.4. Utah St - 6.1 and 9.5. UNI - 7.2 and 10.6. UNC - 7.8 and 12.5.

So, UM was better in every category, for both per pass and per pass completed, than all but SDS in per pass. Much better in pass per completion than all but SDS.

The DC is not calling as many blitzes. There were more in the second half. Last year, there was may more heat being brought. I was calling for more heat on Saturday.

Yes, 0 sacks is not good in any game. UM did start to put some heat on the qb as the game went on, and that impacted him. Riley Wilson's speed, and perhaps more things, helps with pressure. He's fast and certainly faster than Janacaro. Both were very good players, tho. Obviously, picks are very good.

I believe ISU had the 3 most passing yardage per game coming into the Griz game.

The ISU defense also had their best day of the year against the griz in rushing defense.

 

[CFallsGriz]

Some of you should try the short walk to the west entrance. It’s been moving quite smoothly.

This. I’ve never understood why people want to wait in that sh*t show of a “line” for forty-five minutes (unless it’s to finish your drink). South end much better as well.