Keys to tomorrows game?

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:42 pm

whizonthegriz wrote:I am just getting excited.

Not me.....I'm nervous. I feel like I'm playing in the game. This feels like my first exhibition basketball game as a freshman in college---I think I ended up travelling every time I got the ball.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:49 pm

1. Limit big plays. I said something earlier this week about this item and I think it will be huge tomorrow. I highly doubt we will shut them out but when they score it needs to be on a 10 play, 70 yard, 7:10 drive ending in a field goal or even TD instead of a 2 play 70 yard, :45 drive. Make them earn every point.

2. turnovers. As mentioned, we simply can't lose the TO battle or make any mistakes deep in our own territory. They can't start drives inside our territory very often or we are in trouble.

3. Error free game. We really have to limit our stupid penalties and drive killing mistakes. We can't handle too many delays of game on 3rd and 2, pass interference on 3rd and 22, 7 yard punts, etc. type mistakes that have plagued us all season.

Being the underdog and expecting to win means you just can't give them anything. Play a smart football game, take advantage of your opportunities, and do what you are capable of and we have every chance to win this thing.[/b]

hokeyfine · Post by **hokeyfine** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:25 pm

1) running backs and TE's MUST catch the ball. They didn't do that well against furman.

2) The db's must play tighter coverage on the receivers. Furman receivers had way to easy of catches on the sides.

3) must cut down on penalties. nothing kills a drive quicker than putting us in 3rd and long.

appgrad1 · Post by **appgrad1** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:11 pm

El_Gato wrote:Give me your 3 (and only 3) most important keys to knocking off Appy tomorrow. I'll get it started:

1) Limit big plays from their O. From what I've read/seen, Appy KILLS people by ripping off long, demoralizing plays offensively. They have ELEVEN different players who have either run or caught a pass for more than 20 yards!! If their QB or RB gets more than a couple 20+ yard plays, we are in trouble. I'm not as worried about big plays through the air because of our traditional style of playing a bit back and keeping the receivers in front of us. Again, however, if we give up a couple bombs early, we are in trouble. Fuller and Austin are really going to earn their scholarships tomorrow; they have the toughest job on the field against this offense. They CAN'T let Appy's receivers get by them but they also will be CRUCIAL in making tackles and/or forcing the run game back inside. IF we hold their O to 3 or fewer plays of over 20 yards, I like our chances.

2) Control the clock. I don't care if it's with the run game or the short-passing game (neither of which we've excelled at this season), but we MUST keep Appy's offense on the sideline as much as possible. We will need at least 15 first downs to win. If Appy wins the time of possession battle, they win the game. However, just beating them in T.O.P. will not ensure a victory; they remind me of the 90's Griz offenses - they can score very quickly. If we go 3 & out more than a couple of times in the first half, I fear we will have a HUGE hole to dig out of in the second. IF we win the T.O.P. battle by more than 5 minutes, again I like our chances.

3) Win the field position battle. IMO, one of the biggest reasons we lost the Griz game was this one; we played almost the entire game on our side of the 50. If that happens again tomorrow, Appy will most certainly put up more than the 13 we gave the Griz. This one worries me the most because of A) our difficulties in grinding out long, sustained drives, and B) our "punting" game (insert your own roll-punt joke here). We need to have an average starting position outside our own 30 AND force Appy to start inside their 30 on average.

I could have said turnovers were a big key but they are in EVERY game. Any team that gets -2 or worse in the TO battle is most likely going to lose as will be the case tomorrow.

Fire away, guys!

Well said Gato! I agree with these. But if your DB's "lay back" we are perfectly willing to throw short.

I cannot wait for the game. It ought to be a good one.

Good luck to the Bobcats. And ......

WELCOME TO THE ROCK.

phillyAPP · Post by **phillyAPP** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:34 pm

The key to the game for the CATS is keeping the game close until the 4th quarter, then anything can happen.

The key for the APPS is playing well early.

You never know with college football. Anything can happen and thats what makes the playoffs so much fun.

I know this game is going to be one of the best games since APP went into double overtime with Georgia Southern.

Good Luck Cats

Go APPS, Fight APPS, Kick ASSSSSSSSSSSSSS

19CAT · Post by **19CAT** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:37 pm

I believe I read that they like to play man defense on the recievers, if this is true we need to call routes that give us the best chance, with Jefferson. In other words keep them going down field, he is so much bigger than thier DB's he could have a big day, and that will force them to slide the satety over and leave everyone else with a lot less coverage. I could really see Lil Lulay having a great day if things work in our favor. He really seems to catch the ball well, and has great awareness of wher he is on the field and where the defender is.

The defense has to get a good rush on the outside and get containment. This will limit the counters and the QB rollouts's that the Furman fan at the tailgate talked about so much.

Play within our abilities, use our strengths.

I really wouldn't mind the first offensive play to be the Balko kick @ss on one play. I just love watching the zebra try to call the penalty on that movie.

There is my 3 cents.

Post by **kmax** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:42 pm

appgrad1 wrote: WELCOME TO THE ROCK.

Do you guys show a clip of Sean Connery saying this at the beginning of every game?

(about the 2:08 mark)

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:46 pm

We need to do the things we do well better than we've done them all year.

1. Play our best game defensively of the year. If we win, it will be our best defensive effort of the season. This is easily the best offense we've seen all year.

2. Get Jefferson going. He's our best player on offense and he either needs to light them up or get enough attention that others can get going.

3. Rolovich needs to have a Idaho State/Furman kind of game. 300+ yards.

I don't think we can magically decide to control the clock or have a big game from our special teams. That'd be nice, but to count on something like that happening is a sign of desperation. We can win the game doing the things we already do well, real well.

T-Dog · Post by **T-Dog** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:12 pm

kmax wrote:
appgrad1 wrote: WELCOME TO THE ROCK.
Do you guys show a clip of Sean Connery saying this at the beginning of every game?

(about the 2:08 mark)

Yes we do.

And what phillyAPP said is dead honest. If we score early, that's when the men are seperated from the boys. Ask CCU. If you turn it over in the first half, it could get ugly quick. We've had several defensive TD's this year. Play a smart four quarters, don't use audibles too much (if you do use them), and maintain a solid ground game.

Post by **kmax** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:15 pm

T-Dog wrote:
kmax wrote:
appgrad1 wrote: WELCOME TO THE ROCK.
Do you guys show a clip of Sean Connery saying this at the beginning of every game?

(about the 2:08 mark)
Yes we do.

Nice!

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:16 pm

crazycat wrote:...I don't think we can magically decide to control the clock or have a big game from our special teams. That'd be nice, but to count on something like that happening is a sign of desperation. We can win the game doing the things we already do well, real well.

There's nothing magical about controlling the clock, crazy; it's simply a matter of gameplan. If we throw more than we run, then the clock will be stopped a lot which lengthens the game and gives the best offense we've faced all year more opportunities to hurt us. If, however, we can run at least fairly well, say 100 - 140 yards, then we automatically limit Appy's potent O.

Just like the Griz game, I feel we MUST commit to running the football as long as we are not down by more than 1 score. When you are facing an offense this good, the fewer possessions the better no matter how good your defense is.

appgrad,

We've pretty much played that type of D since Kramer got here; let the offense complete the short stuff but then make darn sure you make the tackle. The thinking here being that eventually, the O will make a mistake and find themselves in 3rd & long situations or turn the ball over. It can be aggravating to watch at times, as we give up a lot of first downs this way, but overall our defenses have been pretty good at it. At Montana a couple weeks ago, the Griz rolled up around 350 yards but only 13 points; hopefully we'll see a similar effort from our D tomorrow (of course, your O is FAR superior to the Griz's).

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:30 pm

Good luck with that. You know Kramer's mode now... We'll try 1 run play, and if it doesn't work, we'll go straight to the pitch and catch, short, medium, and long, throwing all over the field trying to get some quick points. Be some end-arounds in there and some screens. Hopefully it will work and we can take a lead into the 4th quarter then wear them down with Taito and our line...

REAL#65 · Post by **REAL#65** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:43 pm

The main key to the game tomorrow: is the play of the OFFENSIVE LINE!!!. C'MON BIG JOE HIRST AND BRANT BIRKELAND...YALL NEED TO HIT THEM IN DA FREAKIN' MOUTH FROM THE START TO DA END...RUN DA BALL DOWN THEIR THROAT N DESTROY DEM...SILENT ASSASIN STYLE BABY....YALL KNOW WHO DIS IS....REMEMBER JOE AND BRANT!!..DA REAL #65....HAHAHA...HEY, YALL DOIN GREAT THINGS RIGHT NOW..JUSS KEEP WORKIN HARD AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT '02 N '03 WHEN WE CAME UP SHORT...SO YALL SPECIAL CAUSE U GUYS SURPASS DA 1ST ROUND N NO DOUBT U GUYS CAN GO ALL DA WAY....SHOCK DA WORLD...GOOD LUCK N KICK THEIR ASSES PLEASE....LEFT SIDE, STRONG SIDE...YALL KNOW...

appgrad1 · Post by **appgrad1** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:51 pm

kmax wrote:
appgrad1 wrote: WELCOME TO THE ROCK.
Do you guys show a clip of Sean Connery saying this at the beginning of every game?

(about the 2:08 mark)

Actually, in the playoffs, the NCAA limits stuff that "might" give us home field advantage. I don't think I saw Sean Connery say "welcome to the rock" in the first round of the playoffs. But, I have seen it during the regular season.

But, I don't know exactly when or how folks started referring to the stadium as "The Rock." It is a relatively recent description. I cannot remember hearing it called that more than three years ago or so.

When I went to school there, the town of Blowing Rock (6 miles away or so) was the only place to get beer. Now, adult beverages are available in Boone. But perhaps that has something to do with it.

And for the record, I personally think the NCAA rules are as hokey as they come. Other inane playoff rules limit the number of cheerleaders to 12, ban all sounds on the P.A. that stirs up the crowd, etc.

During the regular season, when ASU is on defense & on 3rd down, the P.A. bongs a bell sound "Hell's bells" to get the crowd going. And, after every ASU 1st down, the P.A. announcer says "And that's another Mountaineer ..." and the crowd responds "FIRST DOWN."

During the playoffs, these things are held to be illegal by the NCAA authority. Boo! In any event, that is why you will not see "Welcome to the Rock" during the playoffs. Apparently, it is fine for me to end with ...

WELCOME TO THE ROCK!

appgrad1 · Post by **appgrad1** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:05 pm

El_Gato wrote:
crazycat wrote:...I don't think we can magically decide to control the clock or have a big game from our special teams. That'd be nice, but to count on something like that happening is a sign of desperation. We can win the game doing the things we already do well, real well.
There's nothing magical about controlling the clock, crazy; it's simply a matter of gameplan. If we throw more than we run, then the clock will be stopped a lot which lengthens the game and gives the best offense we've faced all year more opportunities to hurt us. If, however, we can run at least fairly well, say 100 - 140 yards, then we automatically limit Appy's potent O.

Just like the Griz game, I feel we MUST commit to running the football as long as we are not down by more than 1 score. When you are facing an offense this good, the fewer possessions the better no matter how good your defense is.

appgrad,

We've pretty much played that type of D since Kramer got here; let the offense complete the short stuff but then make darn sure you make the tackle. The thinking here being that eventually, the O will make a mistake and find themselves in 3rd & long situations or turn the ball over. It can be aggravating to watch at times, as we give up a lot of first downs this way, but overall our defenses have been pretty good at it. At Montana a couple weeks ago, the Griz rolled up around 350 yards but only 13 points; hopefully we'll see a similar effort from our D tomorrow (of course, your O is FAR superior to the Griz's).

I am looking foward to seeing MSU's defense, as it sounds like ASU's to a large extent. I have no idea how we compare on O with UM. The only experience ASU has had with Montana (either school) is back in 2000 in the QFs. That, as I recall, having listened to it on the radio, was an exciting matchup. I'll guarantee that Coach Moore remembers it well.

One thing that has not been discussed much on this blog is ASU's coaches' experience. Not only Coach Moore (18 yrs. at ASU) but most of the other 10 asst. coaches have been there right alongside him most of that time. I think in big games like tomorrow, this stuff matters. Furman's Coach Lamb, bless his heart, could learn alot about being calm, cool, and collected while under fire during a game. Last year in the semis and this year's regular season game (both at Kidd Brewer Stadium) he lost his cool big time. Part of it was that ASU was winning, but his response almost guaranteed that his team would panic. That made a difference. I will guarantee you and everyone else that Coach Moore will not lose his cool on the sidelines no matter what.

Anyway, see you all tomorrow. I'll have to catch it on ESPN2, as I am hosting my dad's 75th birthday party.

WELCOME TO THE ROCK.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:36 pm

appgrad1 wrote:
El_Gato wrote:
crazycat wrote:...I don't think we can magically decide to control the clock or have a big game from our special teams. That'd be nice, but to count on something like that happening is a sign of desperation. We can win the game doing the things we already do well, real well.
There's nothing magical about controlling the clock, crazy; it's simply a matter of gameplan. If we throw more than we run, then the clock will be stopped a lot which lengthens the game and gives the best offense we've faced all year more opportunities to hurt us. If, however, we can run at least fairly well, say 100 - 140 yards, then we automatically limit Appy's potent O.

Just like the Griz game, I feel we MUST commit to running the football as long as we are not down by more than 1 score. When you are facing an offense this good, the fewer possessions the better no matter how good your defense is.

appgrad,

We've pretty much played that type of D since Kramer got here; let the offense complete the short stuff but then make darn sure you make the tackle. The thinking here being that eventually, the O will make a mistake and find themselves in 3rd & long situations or turn the ball over. It can be aggravating to watch at times, as we give up a lot of first downs this way, but overall our defenses have been pretty good at it. At Montana a couple weeks ago, the Griz rolled up around 350 yards but only 13 points; hopefully we'll see a similar effort from our D tomorrow (of course, your O is FAR superior to the Griz's).
I am looking foward to seeing MSU's defense, as it sounds like ASU's to a large extent. I have no idea how we compare on O with UM. The only experience ASU has had with Montana (either school) is back in 2000 in the QFs. That, as I recall, having listened to it on the radio, was an exciting matchup. I'll guarantee that Coach Moore remembers it well.

One thing that has not been discussed much on this blog is ASU's coaches' experience. Not only Coach Moore (18 yrs. at ASU) but most of the other 10 asst. coaches have been there right alongside him most of that time. I think in big games like tomorrow, this stuff matters. Furman's Coach Lamb, bless his heart, could learn alot about being calm, cool, and collected while under fire during a game. Last year in the semis and this year's regular season game (both at Kidd Brewer Stadium) he lost his cool big time. Part of it was that ASU was winning, but his response almost guaranteed that his team would panic. That made a difference. I will guarantee you and everyone else that Coach Moore will not lose his cool on the sidelines no matter what.

Anyway, see you all tomorrow. I'll have to catch it on ESPN2, as I am hosting my dad's 75th birthday party.

WELCOME TO THE ROCK.

Great job!! Wish your Dad a very Happy Birthday from a Cat fan.

jgcatfan · Post by **jgcatfan** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:37 am

Broken record.

No stupid penalties.

Stop the run. (We better stop the quick pass cause they are gonna catch us with our pants down if we don't.)

Use OUR Montana Tight Ends!! We should be using the two step drop for 4 or 5 yards on first down, not predictably running into a stacked into a brick wall

Our D and Spec Teams will do fine - as they always do. But we can't coun't on the "big play".

Jeeeeezzzz. I know I know - Broken record.

-M

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:59 am

El_Gato wrote:
crazycat wrote:...I don't think we can magically decide to control the clock or have a big game from our special teams. That'd be nice, but to count on something like that happening is a sign of desperation. We can win the game doing the things we already do well, real well.
There's nothing magical about controlling the clock, crazy; it's simply a matter of gameplan. If we throw more than we run, then the clock will be stopped a lot which lengthens the game and gives the best offense we've faced all year more opportunities to hurt us. If, however, we can run at least fairly well, say 100 - 140 yards, then we automatically limit Appy's potent O.

Just like the Griz game, I feel we MUST commit to running the football as long as we are not down by more than 1 score. When you are facing an offense this good, the fewer possessions the better no matter how good your defense is.

).

When I say magical I mean you just don' t start doing something (running successfully) you haven't been able to do all year against the nation's No. 1 team. Asking MSU to establish the running game and control the clock today is something you need to direct to a Genie. I agree it'd be great if we can do that and who knows maybe we will, but it's asking a lot at this point. Maybe if Real#65's pep talk works and the line can blow up ASU's line we can do this.

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:05 am

Key to the game?? It's very simple. When the fat lady sings have more points than appy on the score board .

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:41 am

Keys to the game today are

1. Bring the Gold Rush --the defense will win this for us by playing with intensity and attitude as has already been mentioned. Hit -em hard every down. 3 and outs will begin to take a toll on the pysche of the offense of App St.

2. Run downhill The App defense is speedy too, so we have to run at them not away from them. Mason and Taito must be able to grind out 150 yds between them. If they do, we win.

3. Rolovich. Confidence at the QB spot with patience and ryhtym in the passing game. With the run working Jack will be able to throw short dumps and long slants to our taller WR's. Jefferson has to have his day and Rolo will get him the ball.

Keys to tomorrows game?

Re: Keys to tomorrows game?

keys to the game

Re: Keys to tomorrows game?

Re: Keys to tomorrows game?

Re: Keys to tomorrows game?

Re: Keys to tomorrows game?

The Obvious