montana_jack
Well-known member
Below is taken from their message board. Pretty decent breakdown and a good snapshot. A lot of what's said from this fan is very typical of a playoff team. They're offense is the best it's been in program history (granted, it's just over a decade old...correct?), they appear to be mentally tough, and their coach seems like he's the real deal. But, what jumps out at me is near the bottom. They take care of the ball and have only had twelve turnovers in thirteen games. The turnover battle is going to be key this coming weekend.
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Offline CaptainCluck
Posts: 2722
Re: CCU @ Montana Pregame Discussion
« Reply #40 on: Today at 06:43:44 PM »
Quick snapshot:
Offense is the best we've ever had around here. We spread it out and run zone read. Currently 3rd in FCS scoring (43 ppg) and 10th in total offense (493 ypg). Set a conference record with six 50 point games, with nine games above 40 points. Alex Ross is our QB and he's a special one. 2,706 passing yards, 26 TDs, 7 picks but only one INT in the last six games (and that was against FBS S. Carolina and their best CB Vic Hampton). Only a soph. Our running game ranks 7th in FCS at 263 ypg and is led by Payton candidate Lorenzo Taliaferro (6-2, 230). He's second in FCS scoring with 24 rush TDs and 2 rec TDs, 10th in rush yards per game at 121 per. Great between the tackles with power but sneaky fast if he gets to the corner. Hop Henderson (541 yards) has speed to burn and will get carries as well.
Wideouts are deep, talented and experienced with Matt Hazel (58 rec, 8 TDs) being the best of that bunch. He made phenomenal one-handed TD catch vs. Cookman against double coverage. That highlight is on Youtube. Big play guy. O-line all Jrs and Srs, with three of them (LT Hamilton, LG Cheatwood, and RT Herring) 1st team All-conference. Good barometer for us is 200+ yards rushing. We are 55-5 in 11 seasons when we get to 200 on the ground.
Defensively, we'll give up yards and some points. But if you get us, it's usually in the first half because our staff does a really nice job of making adjustments at the break. 225 points allowed in the first half, 149 in the second. LB Quinn Backus (Jr, 5-10, 205) is our best defender. 126 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 INT’s and two TD’s this season. Guy is in on ton of plays. He’s the two-time BSC Def. Player of the Year. And he’s got another year to play. D-line is solid and we rotate a number of guys in and out. We’re pretty good on the back end too, but banged up a little. One of our starting corners went down with a shoulder a couple of weeks ago. We have a special teams weapon in LaDarius Hawthorne, who will play the hybrid (LB or Spur) on D but HAS to be accounted for in the kicking game as well. He’s blocked 3 FGs this season, two of which either turned a game around or won the game. Guy just makes big plays for us.
Kicking game solid with PK Alex Catron (1st team BSC) and P Austin Cain. Mid-season we found a KOR guy in Devin Brown, who brought one back 95 vs VMI and ate up a couple of other teams with big returns. PR guy is Niccolo Mastromatteo, very sure hands and has been known to break one or two. He's one of our wideouts too.
Coaching – Joe Moglia was hired in Dec 2011 and has turned things around quickly. Players have bought in to the BAM (Be a Man) philosophy and they’re tough and disciplined. We don’t beat ourselves with silly penalties or turnovers (12 TO in 13 games). And if we get behind, we don’t panic or lose composure. We were 19 down at Liberty with 2 minutes to go in the 3rd Q, only to rally and tie with 44 seconds left. Then won it in double OT.
Looking forward to making the trip to see how we match up with the Griz! (and to eat a BIG steak as well)
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Offline CaptainCluck
Posts: 2722
Re: CCU @ Montana Pregame Discussion
« Reply #40 on: Today at 06:43:44 PM »
Quick snapshot:
Offense is the best we've ever had around here. We spread it out and run zone read. Currently 3rd in FCS scoring (43 ppg) and 10th in total offense (493 ypg). Set a conference record with six 50 point games, with nine games above 40 points. Alex Ross is our QB and he's a special one. 2,706 passing yards, 26 TDs, 7 picks but only one INT in the last six games (and that was against FBS S. Carolina and their best CB Vic Hampton). Only a soph. Our running game ranks 7th in FCS at 263 ypg and is led by Payton candidate Lorenzo Taliaferro (6-2, 230). He's second in FCS scoring with 24 rush TDs and 2 rec TDs, 10th in rush yards per game at 121 per. Great between the tackles with power but sneaky fast if he gets to the corner. Hop Henderson (541 yards) has speed to burn and will get carries as well.
Wideouts are deep, talented and experienced with Matt Hazel (58 rec, 8 TDs) being the best of that bunch. He made phenomenal one-handed TD catch vs. Cookman against double coverage. That highlight is on Youtube. Big play guy. O-line all Jrs and Srs, with three of them (LT Hamilton, LG Cheatwood, and RT Herring) 1st team All-conference. Good barometer for us is 200+ yards rushing. We are 55-5 in 11 seasons when we get to 200 on the ground.
Defensively, we'll give up yards and some points. But if you get us, it's usually in the first half because our staff does a really nice job of making adjustments at the break. 225 points allowed in the first half, 149 in the second. LB Quinn Backus (Jr, 5-10, 205) is our best defender. 126 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 INT’s and two TD’s this season. Guy is in on ton of plays. He’s the two-time BSC Def. Player of the Year. And he’s got another year to play. D-line is solid and we rotate a number of guys in and out. We’re pretty good on the back end too, but banged up a little. One of our starting corners went down with a shoulder a couple of weeks ago. We have a special teams weapon in LaDarius Hawthorne, who will play the hybrid (LB or Spur) on D but HAS to be accounted for in the kicking game as well. He’s blocked 3 FGs this season, two of which either turned a game around or won the game. Guy just makes big plays for us.
Kicking game solid with PK Alex Catron (1st team BSC) and P Austin Cain. Mid-season we found a KOR guy in Devin Brown, who brought one back 95 vs VMI and ate up a couple of other teams with big returns. PR guy is Niccolo Mastromatteo, very sure hands and has been known to break one or two. He's one of our wideouts too.
Coaching – Joe Moglia was hired in Dec 2011 and has turned things around quickly. Players have bought in to the BAM (Be a Man) philosophy and they’re tough and disciplined. We don’t beat ourselves with silly penalties or turnovers (12 TO in 13 games). And if we get behind, we don’t panic or lose composure. We were 19 down at Liberty with 2 minutes to go in the 3rd Q, only to rally and tie with 44 seconds left. Then won it in double OT.
Looking forward to making the trip to see how we match up with the Griz! (and to eat a BIG steak as well)
