Grades

[grizzh8r]

Blocked punt led to SDSUs first TD.
Shanked punt led to their 2nd TD.
Missed a FG in the 1st quarter.
Lost 2 fumbles.

You can't have that many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period.

Defense played well enough to win, at least in regulation.

Offense struggled, especially in the 2nd half when they were shut out AT HOME! Couldn't complete a pass. Couldn't run consistently. Lots of 3 and outs. Time of possession was lopsided. Credit the sdsu defense for some of that, but honestly the offense looked better against Oregon. They've got to figure some things out quickly. Luckily we have 2 inferior opponents the next 2 game to do so.

It was an ugly game in many ways. A few bright spots but not enough. But SDSU didn't play clean either having many mistakes themselves. It was apparent to me, and likely everyone else watching, that you have two very good programs who experienced significant losses at the end of last season, both in coaches and players, and they're still figuring things out. If, (when) these two teams meet again they will both be different/better. And the game may be a nail biter again, just not riddled with mistakes. Playing each other preseason will reap dividends for both the Cats and the Jacks. I could see both teams rolling through the rest of the season undefeated, with the NDSU and UM games being the outliers.

I agree with this. Last year after playing USD and NDSU I thought that our O-Line and especially our D-line was a step behind the Dakota's. This was apparent again last night except that I think that we have made progress on the D-line and regressed on the O-line. We have really been hurt by the portal the last few years on the Oline. We have a very young Oline and they got exposed last night. I think that they will improve greatly as the season progresses but last night they were not the best O-line in the country as some have stated previously. It is also only the second game for our QB and he is clearly still learning. Our secondary is also young and will improve as the year goes on. I think that we will see one of the Dakota's again in the playoffs so we will see how much progress our young guys make. Unfortunately it will likely be an away game.

+1

Both teams win out Montana State gets the number two seed

Not necessarily. Need them to win out AND beat NDSU by 2 TD's (hopefully more)...

[TomCat88]

The defense is looking even better than I expected. The linebackers are suddenly an A unit. The speed in the secondary is as good as expected.

I still think the defense is going to have to pick up the slack from what MSU is losing on offense. The offense needs to be efficient, not great. Same for special teams.

I always say and know from experience that you learn more from your mistakes than your accomplishments. This is especially true when you’re already very good at what you do. You can solve mistakes as they’re happening sometimes. MSU is good at football. The players in the rotation are good, so they have a big edge there. You could actually see them fixing things in progress Saturday. It’s a rare ability. I expect MSU to grow a lot over the next 3-4 weeks.

When you know what you’re doing it’s much easier to fine tune what you’re doing. You have the vision to see issues before they come into play.

[GoCats18]

After rewatching most of this game, especially the very last play, the Cats could have definitely won this game. The last play especially, if Davis goes to his right instead of the middle, or if Lamson pulls it and goes to the right side there is nobody out there. We have to get stuff like this fixed though.

[iaafan]

After rewatching most of this game, especially the very last play, the Cats could have definitely won this game. The last play especially, if Davis goes to his right instead of the middle, or if Lamson pulls it and goes to the right side there is nobody out there. We have to get stuff like this fixed though.

After games like that both teams had plays that could’ve reversed the outcome or turned the game into comfortable wins.

Had Jones just cut right instead of left on 2nd and 8 vs NDSU or Tommy not hesitated on 3rd and 5 right after that, we might’ve got the outcome we wanted in Frisco.

It’s just great games between great teams.

[RockyBearCat]

Blocked punt led to SDSUs first TD.
Shanked punt led to their 2nd TD.
Missed a FG in the 1st quarter.
Lost 2 fumbles.

You can't have that many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period.

One might point out --> You can't have this many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period. Or can you. Sometimes two fantastic teams meet and one has to lose.

fumble 3 times lose 2
whiff a punt inside the 10 to give up a TD
run 40 times for only 3.1/carry
miss a short FG

[iaafan]

Blocked punt led to SDSUs first TD.
Shanked punt led to their 2nd TD.
Missed a FG in the 1st quarter.
Lost 2 fumbles.

You can't have that many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period.

One might point out --> You can't have this many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period. Or can you. Sometimes two fantastic teams meet and one has to lose.

fumble 3 times lose 2
whiff a punt inside the 10 to give up a TD
run 40 times for only 3.1/carry
miss a short FG

One of the fumbles was the whiffed punt. But you still make a good point.

I think most of SDSU's and MSU's problems are attributable to both teams having exellent defenses.

[RockyBearCat]

Blocked punt led to SDSUs first TD.
Shanked punt led to their 2nd TD.
Missed a FG in the 1st quarter.
Lost 2 fumbles.

You can't have that many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period.

One might point out --> You can't have this many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period. Or can you. Sometimes two fantastic teams meet and one has to lose.

fumble 3 times lose 2
whiff a punt inside the 10 to give up a TD
run 40 times for only 3.1/carry
miss a short FG

One of the fumbles was the whiffed punt. But you still make a good point.

I think most of SDSU's and MSU's problems are attributable to both teams having exellent defenses.

point taken and I agree.

[94VegasCat]

I really thought our offensive line got pushed around. Specifically the guys on the right side had a tough game.

I'm grading it this week so I'll let y'all know what I see!

Did you post your grades somewhere and I missed them?

[VimSince03]

I really thought our offensive line got pushed around. Specifically the guys on the right side had a tough game.

I'm grading it this week so I'll let y'all know what I see!

Did you post your grades somewhere and I missed them?

Posted at about 7 pm tonight.