Backups

[gtapp]

The question is was the drop off from 1's to 2's and 3's due to talent or execution. If it is execution then more reps and practice is the solution. If the problem is talent then next year will be a tough year.

[BleedingBLue]

The question is was the drop off from 1's to 2's and 3's due to talent or execution. If it is execution then more reps and practice is the solution. If the problem is talent then next year will be a tough year.

I disagree on the next year part specifically. We're never going to have all the 2s in a game, and plenty of 2s are playing regularly with the 1s now and the D has been solid. Hunter Parsons, Zac Crews, Paul Brott, Zack Black, Miles Jackson and Andrew Powdrell are technically 2s and play regularly with the 1s. I say technically because guys like Jackson and Powdrell are starting due to injuries but are 2s. Bryce Grebe was playing regularly before being hurt, and Taki U was playing regularly until getting hurt Saturday night. All of those guys will be back next year. There were a lot of 3s on the field even in the 3rd quarter Saturday, especially on the back end.

[MSU01]

The question is was the drop off from 1's to 2's and 3's due to talent or execution. If it is execution then more reps and practice is the solution. If the problem is talent then next year will be a tough year.

I didn't see a lack of talent, more a lack of experience that you'd expect from the 2nd and 3rd string guys. It looked like they were doing the right things out there but were a step or two slow getting to the right spots, which should get better as those players gain more experience. That said, I'm sure everyone involved would've liked to have seen better results on the field. I do have to give credit to Vigen for leaving them in even after they gave up a few scores, he knew that getting game reps for those players was more important than winning 41-14 instead of 41-24.

[BobcatBuiltTexan]

Our 2s were going against their 1s. They shouldn't look the same as our 1s, if they are as good as our 1s they won't be here next year...just the facts. They are 2s for a reason. Also when looking at the 2s you can't look at the whole thing and say our 2s aren't ready. You have to look at individuals because i doubt any team in America can have their entire 2nd squad go out and look no different than the starting squad. We have depth at certain positions and the positions we don't have depth with I see us using other players to move over and play in those spots and being able to get the job done. We are ok at this point. Plus it's good to get these game reps. The more you play the better you will get and this work was good for their development. Practice only does so much, you need to be in the game to really get your feet under you. They will be ok.

Good post. I think that sometimes people forget that quality 2s can sub in with the 1s without big drop offs, but when the entire unit goes to the 2s, theres going to be a big drop. It should be all part of the normal process.

The fact that the Cats can put in the 2s against a CAA teams #1s speaks volumes.

yes sir totally agree with you here.....for our 2s to go out get a little more aligned and get stops against the starting squad of another team actually shows how strong we really are. Now could we play an entire game and win with just our 2s probably not, but again they are TWOs..lol. I think there is a lot of over analyzation and expecting things to be ideal and that just isn't football. I saw some really good things that probably most didn't pick up on that makes me say we will be just fine if we a few guys have to get starter reps.

[tetoncat]

It also wasn't really even the 2's. In D for example Grebe and Johnson were out and we rotate D line so it was a mix of 2 and 3's. On offense 3rd and 4th RB, essentially 8-12 best lineman and 4th qtr with 3rd QB.

[catatac]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

[mslacatfan]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Pretty sure he played the 2nd half of the Maine game? Number 12, right?

[technoCat]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Pretty sure he played the 2nd half of the Maine game? Number 12, right?

Yeah, he was actually in on quite a few plays I thought.

[catatac]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Pretty sure he played the 2nd half of the Maine game? Number 12, right?

Well that's what I was thinking and could have sworn I saw #12 in there, so then when I looked at tackle stats and saw zero, then looked at player participation and didn't see his name I assumed I read the number wrong. Sheesh, I know player stats and participation are notoriously wrong but you wouldn't think it would be that hard to get his name listed there after the first college action of his career. Unless I'm blind or dumb and don't know how to read a stat sheet.

[allcat]

They are probably saving him for meaningful games. Trying to keep him under 4 games, till the playoffs. If it looks like you need him for more than 4 then go all in.

[MSU01]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Pretty sure he played the 2nd half of the Maine game? Number 12, right?

Well that's what I was thinking and could have sworn I saw #12 in there, so then when I looked at tackle stats and saw zero, then looked at player participation and didn't see his name I assumed I read the number wrong. Sheesh, I know player stats and participation are notoriously wrong but you wouldn't think it would be that hard to get his name listed there after the first college action of his career. Unless I'm blind or dumb and don't know how to read a stat sheet.

McMillan definitely played! I think whoever did the participation list got him confused with Ryan Bowles who is also listed as #12 on the online roster.

[BleedingBLue]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Pretty sure he played the 2nd half of the Maine game? Number 12, right?

Well that's what I was thinking and could have sworn I saw #12 in there, so then when I looked at tackle stats and saw zero, then looked at player participation and didn't see his name I assumed I read the number wrong. Sheesh, I know player stats and participation are notoriously wrong but you wouldn't think it would be that hard to get his name listed there after the first college action of his career. Unless I'm blind or dumb and don't know how to read a stat sheet.

McMillan definitely played! I think whoever did the participation list got him confused with Ryan Bowles who is also listed as #12 on the online roster.

I think you are right, as even the PA guy called out Bowles name on a tackle in the 2nd half.

[catatac]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Pretty sure he played the 2nd half of the Maine game? Number 12, right?

Well that's what I was thinking and could have sworn I saw #12 in there, so then when I looked at tackle stats and saw zero, then looked at player participation and didn't see his name I assumed I read the number wrong. Sheesh, I know player stats and participation are notoriously wrong but you wouldn't think it would be that hard to get his name listed there after the first college action of his career. Unless I'm blind or dumb and don't know how to read a stat sheet.

McMillan definitely played! I think whoever did the participation list got him confused with Ryan Bowles who is also listed as #12 on the online roster.

I think you are right, as even the PA guy called out Bowles name on a tackle in the 2nd half.

Ah, thank you, that probably explains it. As for the coaches strategizing and figuring out what four games to play him, or any other true Freshman in before the playoffs..... I think that's a thing of the past. We just don't know how long these players are going to stick around any more. So if that means getting him reps in the upcoming "easy" games on our schedule, burn it.

[VimSince03]

If you want a backup who HAS played well its Hunter. Flashed those first two games and got his first sack against Maine (see above). He reminds me of Caleb Schreibeis where he was just too undersized his freshman year but he still played then started to blossom as a sophomore in a rotational role. When Brody leaves, Hunter is going to be able to step right in along with Zac Crews with Kenny Eiden on the other side. Good depth!

[BobcatBuiltTexan]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Yeah he played... made some good tackles.... covered well but did get a PI... speed was very evident when he was out there..... talking to his family they said coach V wants to try to redshirt him if he can.

[coloradocat]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Yeah he played... made some good tackles.... covered well but did get a PI... speed was very evident when he was out there..... talking to his family they said coach V wants to try to redshirt him if he can.

In this portal/NIL era I hate the idea of redshirting any player from outside of Montana. They're the ones that are a future flight risk. I doubt any of them outside of OL/DL really want to redshirt anyway, they want to play. We should be getting all we can out of them, not saving them for a hoped for 5th year. I'm not saying burn their redshirts as a strategy but just don't go our of our way to preserve them like we would have in the past.

[BobcatBuiltTexan]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but figured I'd throw it in here. Has anyone seen Jhase McMillan play one snap this year? I kept hearing how he might be the one true Frosh that sees the field, but I haven't seen him and he doesn't show up on the participation report. I'd think with some of the injuries we've had at DB, and with garbage time he would have seen the field unless he's injured or something?

Yeah he played... made some good tackles.... covered well but did get a PI... speed was very evident when he was out there..... talking to his family they said coach V wants to try to redshirt him if he can.

In this portal/NIL era I hate the idea of redshirting any player from outside of Montana. They're the ones that are a future flight risk. I doubt any of them outside of OL/DL really want to redshirt anyway, they want to play. We should be getting all we can out of them, not saving them for a hoped for 5th year. I'm not saying burn their redshirts as a strategy but just don't go our of our way to preserve them like we would have in the past.

definitely get where you are coming from. The way the portal is worked now days you have two ways as a player to approach it.....1. get film from playing in games then jump into the portal. This is usually done by guys that were under recruited due to size but possessed a lot of ability. Colleges want to see if their ability actually translates to college, so when you get that film you will get a lot of suitors. 2. You were highly recruited but you aren't playing. These guys are the ones that had the size/speed that colleges were looking for but for whatever reason the kid isn't playing and they know that other schools are going to come due to recruitment from hs. I think Jhase falls into the first category so I do believe that the MSU coaching staff are trying to limit his exposure to outside sources in an attempt to keep him there as long as they can. I think they know if he plays too much he'll begin to really stand out and they run the risk of losing him after one year.

What I can say is that his family is a very loyal bunch, almost to a fault. MSU recruited him properly and, from what I'm told, Jhase is enjoying being a part of this powerhouse team. His dad said that he is ok with redshirting and understands that he might not play and the reasons why. He's a very mature kid. Remember his whole family were/are D1 athletes so he approaches this from a very different perspective. I personally don't see him leaving just because he isn't playing right now.

[catatac]

I agree with almost everything you've said, but I don't believe these coaches would sit any player that gives them the best chance to win... in order to prevent him from standing out and getting too much exposure. I know Vigen wants to win the Chipper, this year, and he wants it bad. If a player helps us get there in any way possible, he's playing regardless of redshirt rules.

[Montanabob]

we have the following:
2 different people do kick offs
2 for extra points
3 at qb
8 at RB
6. wr catch passes
82 participate
no starters past 5 min in 2nd quarter.
12 dif ol play

[TomCat88]

If you want a backup who HAS played well its Hunter. Flashed those first two games and got his first sack against Maine (see above). He reminds me of Caleb Schreibeis where he was just too undersized his freshman year but he still played then started to blossom as a sophomore in a rotational role. When Brody leaves, Hunter is going to be able to step right in along with Zac Crews with Kenny Eiden on the other side. Good depth!

Parsons caught my eye in 2022 game vs Cal Poly. He played quite a bit last year. For some reason he seems to have been the odd man out in terms of media/social media attention. I thought it was really cool that he got MSU's first sack of the season. It seems to have springboarded his career. Definitely one of the best DE rotations (Eiden IV, Grebe, Parsons and Crews) in MSU history.