New Mexico....the good. The bad. The ugly

[lutecat]

The good.... @BobcatBuiltTexan dude I read your posts and I appreciate you being on this board. You make awesome posts that have great insight.

The bad....I had to be the one to start this thread. I mean who's slacking? I've never started a good/bad/ugly thread because someone always starts them right away.
Also I was someplace without power. So I couldn't watch the game. That was bad.

The ugly....the poster calling for Vigan to be fired already. Bad look man. That egriz type stuff there. Lol

[BLACKnBLUEnGOLD]

Bobcats offense on 44 rushing plays: 376 yards, 8.5 per attempt, 3 TDs, 0 turnovers

Bobcats offense on 35 passing plays: 191 yards, 5.5 per dropback, 2 TDs, 2 turnovers

Moral of the story: with this roster, run the ball until they stop you.

[GoldstoneCat]

Good: the run game, the receiver room, Rohan Jones, winning a close game late. This team needed that after the near misses last year.

Bad: pass protection (at times), pocket awareness (at times), and I still think we have major issues on defense

Ugly: this yawner of a September schedule coming up

[MSU01]

Good

The mentality and resilience of the team to not give up and keep fighting even when the chances of a win seemed to be nearly zero (actually they were down to 1.5% at one point on ESPN's win probability graph)
368 rushing yards despite the reshuffled offensive line with two starters out and two tackles making their first career starts. You know you've got a crazy deep stable of running backs when your #3 guy (when Davis is healthy) breaks off a 93-yard TD outrunning the entire defense.
21-32, 205 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT is a stat line I think we'd all have been very happy with from Tommy before the game. With one missing stat there, of course.
McCullough and Alexander look like a very good pair of WRs, and MSU is clearly deep at TE if they can figure out how to use them all!
Special MVP award goes to the windstorm for affecting UNM's two missed field goals and clearly blowing the pass behind the receiver that allowed MSU to have its final possession with a full 2 minutes left.
Zero points scored by the UNM offense in the second half. Allowing the opponent's offense to score 17 points will win many, many games if the offense can clean up whatever mistakes led to the two fumble return TDs.
The kicking game was great today with Sansted and Hall. Glad there was never any need for a FG attempt though.
The team seemed to get through the game relatively healthy. I did see Elijah Elliott with crutches on the sideline though after he got hurt on special teams.

Bad

Pass defense technique on deep balls would appear to be something to continue working on. Tackling the receiver before the ball gets there is certainly an option but not one that will lead to much success in the long run. Dru Polidore is desperately needed back in the lineup by the time MSU starts conference play.
Captain obvious time, it will be bad if the MSU offense continues to give up almost as many points as the MSU defense.
The Bobcats' tendency to come out cold in the first quarter on the road is a little concerning. They've looked bad in the first quarter in their last four road games dating back to last year.
The announcers repeatedly referring to "Ryan" Schlepp after he caught his TD pass. Tim Brando did redeem himself somewhat by having very complimentary things to say about the MSU program and the quality of FCS football as a whole.

Ugly

Nothing's ugly when the Bobcats win!

[BelligerentBobcat]

Good

The mentality and resilience of the team to not give up and keep fighting even when the chances of a win seemed to be nearly zero (actually they were down to 1.5% at one point on ESPN's win probability graph)
368 rushing yards despite the reshuffled offensive line with two starters out and two tackles making their first career starts. You know you've got a crazy deep stable of running backs when your #3 guy (when Davis is healthy) breaks off a 93-yard TD outrunning the entire defense.
21-32, 205 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT is a stat line I think we'd all have been very happy with from Tommy before the game. With one missing stat there, of course.
McCullough and Alexander look like a very good pair of WRs, and MSU is clearly deep at TE if they can figure out how to use them all!
Special MVP award goes to the windstorm for affecting UNM's two missed field goals and clearly blowing the pass behind the receiver that allowed MSU to have its final possession with a full 2 minutes left.
Zero points scored by the UNM offense in the second half. Allowing the opponent's offense to score 17 points will win many, many games if the offense can clean up whatever mistakes led to the two fumble return TDs.
The kicking game was great today with Sansted and Hall. Glad there was never any need for a FG attempt though.
The team seemed to get through the game relatively healthy. I did see Elijah Elliott with crutches on the sideline though after he got hurt on special teams.

Bad

Pass defense technique on deep balls would appear to be something to continue working on. Tackling the receiver before the ball gets there is certainly an option but not one that will lead to much success in the long run. Dru Polidore is desperately needed back in the lineup by the time MSU starts conference play.
Captain obvious time, it will be bad if the MSU offense continues to give up almost as many points as the MSU defense.
The Bobcats' tendency to come out cold in the first quarter on the road is a little concerning. They've looked bad in the first quarter in their last four road games dating back to last year.
The announcers repeatedly referring to "Ryan" Schlepp after he caught his TD pass. Tim Brando did redeem himself somewhat by having very complimentary things to say about the MSU program and the quality of FCS football as a whole.

Ugly

Nothing's ugly when the Bobcats win!

I will say that defensive PI on an under thrown ball is a huge offensive bailout. The two players ideally should have seen the ball, but it’s not as easy as we think. They’re running full speed and all of a sudden the WR stops and they run into him.

[PapaG]

Bobcats offense on 44 rushing plays: 376 yards, 8.5 per attempt, 3 TDs, 0 turnovers

Bobcats offense on 35 passing plays: 191 yards, 5.5 per dropback, 2 TDs, 2 turnovers

Moral of the story: with this roster, run the ball until they stop you.

Good) Basically the same thing since Troy played QB. RTDB and a very simple passing game. I did like how Tommy didn’t have to run as much and also how big the holes were for the backs.

Also 3rd down defense. Two drops helped but they went 1-8 which kept MSU in the game and gave time at the end.

For the first time ever I bet against the Bobcats and took New Mexico at +13.5 because it seemed ridiculously high. Impulse buy on way to watch party. Wife and I grilled tasty steaks with the proceeds and savored the W.


Bad) Tackling … again. Hope this improves but it looks the same as last season. Defense looked shaky but luckily gave up missed TDs instead of touchdown. Getting off the field on 3rd down offset the tackling, though.

Ugly) The two scoop and scores. I was getting Weber State long snap vibes. Likely to never happen again for years but it happened and was almost unbelievable.

1-0 and an opportunity to start 2-0 on the road.

[LoggerCat]

The good: 567 yards total offense.
362 rushing yards.

I thought the O-line played well given the circumstances. Pass protection was iffy but with everyone playing out of position it wasn’t a surprise. It got better as the game went on. Adam Jones and Scottre are absolute studs.

Ty McCullouch, clutch catch at the end.

Junior Alexander. Great hands, he’s going to be a real weapon.

Defense, overall I thought they played well.

Miles Sansted: 5/5 on XP’s!

Brendon Hall


The bad: the spot on 4th and short.

Also, very little to no pressure on the QB.


The ugly: 2 turnovers resulting in touchdowns

Blake Stillwell, gotta keep a cool head in that situation. I’m guessing he’ll be in the dog house for a bit.


Overall, I don’t think it was a great game but it wasn’t bad either. A lot of mistakes, but they’re fixable. First game of the year and the team got better as the game went on. They didn’t give up. Good teams find a way to win and I think that’s what we’ve got. Quite a few key guys were out too. I’m honestly pretty excited about the season.

[PapaG]

The bad: the spot on 4th and short.

That was insane. I saw that Line Judge come sprinting in from the sideline and insert himself into the pile. He then grabbed the ball and moved it back. He had no vision on the play while it happened. Saw what would be short and that’s where he placed the ball.

Same ref who called that BS hold on the punt return at the end where Taco had the solid return and instead of the ball at the 33 they place it at the 11 or 12. Guys hugging each other as the ball is kicked and they call defensive holding on the interior? That ref was throwing a flag on MSU there no matter what happened.

[MSU01]

I will say that defensive PI on an under thrown ball is a huge offensive bailout. The two players ideally should have seen the ball, but it’s not as easy as we think. They’re running full speed and all of a sudden the WR stops and they run into him.

Agreed, it's not as easy as we think. I was struck watching the Nevada/SMU game last night though at how well Nevada's DBs defended that type of throw, they at least made some semblance of making a play on the ball and didn't get flagged as a result even when there was some contact with the receiver...and they definitely didn't wrap their arms around the receiver's neck as MSU did on one play yesterday. Hopefully MSU can get a better pass rush against FCS opponents and we don't have to worry about too many deep balls making their way downfield!

[MSU01]

The bad: the spot on 4th and short.

That was insane. I saw that Line Judge come sprinting in from the sideline and insert himself into the pile. He then grabbed the ball and moved it back. He had no vision on the play while it happened. Saw what would be short and that’s where he placed the ball.

Same ref who called that BS hold on the punt return at the end where Taco had the solid return and instead of the ball at the 33 they place it at the 11 or 12. Guys hugging each other as the ball is kicked and they call defensive holding on the interior? That ref was throwing a flag on MSU there no matter what happened.

After seeing the replay that was 100% a correct hold call against MSU on the punt.

[lutecat]

I will say that defensive PI on an under thrown ball is a huge offensive bailout. The two players ideally should have seen the ball, but it’s not as easy as we think. They’re running full speed and all of a sudden the WR stops and they run into him.

Agreed, it's not as easy as we think. I was struck watching the Nevada/SMU game last night though at how well Nevada's DBs defended that type of throw, they at least made some semblance of making a play on the ball and didn't get flagged as a result even when there was some contact with the receiver...and they definitely didn't wrap their arms around the receiver's neck as MSU did on one play yesterday. Hopefully MSU can get a better pass rush against FCS opponents and we don't have to worry about too many deep balls making their way downfield!

Remember was it the Ash years? Jamie Marshall d's were coached to never look for the ball and we missed so many easy picks.

[91catAlum]

Good.
-Adam Jones, and the blocking on that 93yd TD, bailing us out down 10 with under 5 minutes to go.
-Mellott throwing for 200 yards and 2 TDs.
-Defensive shutout in the 2nd half.

Bad.
- The sloppy play in the first 55 minutes of the game.
- Our DEs seemed to disappear for most of the game.
- Penalties, especially in the secondary. I know it's easier said than done but when the receiver turns his head to locate the ball, the DB needs to turn his head and locate the ball too, not launch into a tackle. Even if there's contact, if the DBs head is turned there usually won't be a flag.
- The pass pro early on.
- Tommy holding the ball too long and then trying to throw it away after he was already being tackled resulting in the 2nd sack strip score for unm.

Ugly.
- Having so many injured guys before the first game is ridiculous.


Overall, very happy for the comeback win on the road against a mostly unknown opponent. But until the final 5 minutes, this game didn't make me feel like we have a natty contender. Way too much sloppy play, and tons to clean up.

[Cats92]

Good: Sustained drives. The cats had a few really big plays, the biggest one obviously being Jones VERY timely TD run, but other than that, the cats really had a lot of long and discouraging drives for the other team. More than that though, the team never gave up. They kept chipping away and weathered the storm.

Bad: obvious

Ugly: blood pressure

BONUS: Cruzado in the locker room at the end of the game. That was really cool to see. I hope MSU finds someone half as passionate as she is.

[PapaG]

The bad: the spot on 4th and short.

That was insane. I saw that Line Judge come sprinting in from the sideline and insert himself into the pile. He then grabbed the ball and moved it back. He had no vision on the play while it happened. Saw what would be short and that’s where he placed the ball.

Same ref who called that BS hold on the punt return at the end where Taco had the solid return and instead of the ball at the 33 they place it at the 11 or 12. Guys hugging each other as the ball is kicked and they call defensive holding on the interior? That ref was throwing a flag on MSU there no matter what happened.

After seeing the replay that was 100% a correct hold call against MSU on the punt.

Sure. It would have been the correct call on the other 8 players doing it to each other, too. That wasn’t my point on the flag and the time of game it was thrown.

[MSUBRONCO]

Good: Getting the W
bad: turnovers
Ugly: not seeing the whole 2nd half due to cousins wedding

[SparkCat]

I will say that defensive PI on an under thrown ball is a huge offensive bailout. The two players ideally should have seen the ball, but it’s not as easy as we think. They’re running full speed and all of a sudden the WR stops and they run into him.

Agreed, it's not as easy as we think. I was struck watching the Nevada/SMU game last night though at how well Nevada's DBs defended that type of throw, they at least made some semblance of making a play on the ball and didn't get flagged as a result even when there was some contact with the receiver...and they definitely didn't wrap their arms around the receiver's neck as MSU did on one play yesterday. Hopefully MSU can get a better pass rush against FCS opponents and we don't have to worry about too many deep balls making their way downfield!

Remember was it the Ash years? Jamie Marshall d's were coached to never look for the ball and we missed so many easy picks.

His name as wells as the DB coach at the time, Noah, are like the Voldemort’s of MSU football names to me.

[BleedingBLue]

Not getting pressure on the QB had a lot to do with New Mexico's game plan. They doubled Grebe a lot, and called mostly quick passes. Not too worried about that.

[The MICKSTER]

Some of these r repeats of others.......

GREAT
Team showed resilience and found a way to come from behind and win a close game......that wasn't the case last year

GOOD
* 567 yds vs 324 yds
*66% completions w no int's
*TOP +9.5 min
*UNM 1 for 8 on 3rd downs
*4 for 4 in red zone
*5 for 5 PAT's
*7.7 yds/rush
*all KO's (6) were touchbacks
*40% passing plays......up from ~34% in past years....more balanced
* Ty, Junior, Scottre, Adam, OL run blocking....in no particular order
*limited amount of Tommy running

BAD
*2 funbles for TD's
*0 for 3 on 4th down attemps
*Secondary coverage, penalties and composure
*Zero sacks for us (edit: O’Reilly had a sack in 1st qrtr but wasn’t recorded)

UGLY
*Offensive tempo for most of 4th qrtr when behind by 2 scores....they were taking most of the play clock (last 2 minutes was excellent though)

[Montanabob]

Bobcats offense on 44 rushing plays: 376 yards, 8.5 per attempt, 3 TDs, 0 turnovers

Bobcats offense on 35 passing plays: 191 yards, 5.5 per dropback, 2 TDs, 2 turnovers

Moral of the story: with this roster, run the ball until they stop you.

technically the two fumbles are runs so would have been 42-37 and even closer as a few Tommie rushes came from broken pass plays. MUCH beter run vs pass than last 2 years

[RICO CAT]

Photo Credit: The Albuquerque Journal