The Bobcat Nation

Does anyone know the status of Mason and why we didn't see him in the 2nd half? Did he get hurt? I thought Taito did an excellent job of running hard in the 2nd half as well though. Very physical and was blasting through the holes and laying some wood to the D. I think we are in very good shape RB wise for the rest of the year.

Because he had run the ball so much throughout the game I'm assuming. Taito took care of business and there was no need to put Mason back in and risk anythng.

I am very curious to hear about Mason as well as what happened with Groves. I had no idea that Groves wasn't 100% ready to go prior to game time. Both of those are somewhat mysteries right now.

Taito's play was a huge shot in the arm though in the 2nd half - and I have to say surprising after what he showed earlier in the year after Groves went down. Isn't depth a nice thing to have?

longhorn_22 wrote:Because he had run the ball so much throughout the game I'm assuming. Taito took care of business and there was no need to put Mason back in and risk anythng.

I don't buy this. You don't see the starting running back sit because he had a good first half and we didn't need him anymore. Something else was going on there.

WYCAT wrote:

longhorn_22 wrote:Because he had run the ball so much throughout the game I'm assuming. Taito took care of business and there was no need to put Mason back in and risk anythng.

I don't buy this. You don't see the starting running back sit because he had a good first half and we didn't need him anymore. Something else was going on there.

Agreed. Either Mason got dinged, or Krames just wanted to give Taito a look. Hope it was the later. Did you guys see the stats, not originally in the Trib or Gazette on Sunday.

First Downs
MSU 22
Sac 5

Rushing Yards
MSU 112
Sac 41

Passing Yards
MSU 302
Sac 76

Made me feel a little better about the outcome, but if Rolo wants to be the man, he needs to cut down on the mistakes. IMO

Well if you look at the bio for Aaron Mason, you see that he only played in 4 games (though he rushed for 768 yards in those 4 games), and then was sidelined with an ankle injury. Maybe his injury was acting up, or maybe the fact that he sat out a majority of a season doesn't have him quite in shape to take 20+ carries per game just yet. Whatever reason, we were up 21 points and if Kramer didn't feel like risking an injury or whatever to Mason, it isn't a bad call to pull him at that point.

Same goes for Groves. We were winning, no point in risking injury to these playmakers. Taito was getting the job done. It is the passing game that fell apart in the second half.

All in all, I might have put Mason back in once they scored 10 points, but I am sure the coaches know something we don't.

But on the bright side, we should have Groves, Mason and Taito all healthy this week at ISU, and boy are we going to need them!

CelticCat wrote:Well if you look at the bio for Aaron Mason, you see that he only played in 4 games (though he rushed for 768 yards in those 4 games), and then was sidelined with an ankle injury. Maybe his injury was acting up, or maybe the fact that he sat out a majority of a season doesn't have him quite in shape to take 20+ carries per game just yet. Whatever reason, we were up 21 points and if Kramer didn't feel like risking an injury or whatever to Mason, it isn't a bad call to pull him at that point.

Same goes for Groves. We were winning, no point in risking injury to these playmakers. Taito was getting the job done. It is the passing game that fell apart in the second half.

All in all, I might have put Mason back in once they scored 10 points, but I am sure the coaches know something we don't.

But on the bright side, we should have Groves, Mason and Taito all healthy this week at ISU, and boy are we going to need them!

I agree. It's easy to go back now. But in the middle of the game I think it's easy to go in at half up big and dominating. We're always saying others should get playing time in order to develop the future. To me, that's what they did.

WYCAT wrote:

longhorn_22 wrote:Because he had run the ball so much throughout the game I'm assuming. Taito took care of business and there was no need to put Mason back in and risk anythng.

I don't buy this. You don't see the starting running back sit because he had a good first half and we didn't need him anymore. Something else was going on there.

Just like Celtic said. We were winning and our running backs were getting the job done so why risk injury? To Mason or to Groves.

Don't remember where I heard it or read it but it was reported that Groves knee stiffened up in pregame warmups and that was why he didn't see action, other than I think one play.

kmax wrote:Don't remember where I heard it or read it but it was reported that Groves knee stiffened up in pregame warmups and that was why he didn't see action, other than I think one play.

I remember that comment as well. Getting one carry though tells me Groves situation had something to do with the knee again.

WYCAT wrote:

kmax wrote:Don't remember where I heard it or read it but it was reported that Groves knee stiffened up in pregame warmups and that was why he didn't see action, other than I think one play.

I remember that comment as well. Getting one carry though tells me Groves situation had something to do with the knee again.

Groves was in for one play, but he didn't carry the ball.

As for Mason, Kramer stated in the post game (and it was in yesterdays Chronicle) that he was simply fatigued. Hell, he's a freshman barely turned 18 & he's put in a lot of effort the past couple weeks. Doubt if anyone beginning the season figured he'd be starting.

Hope we have all three RB's ready to go this weekend, but if Groves isn't quite ready don't rush it.

I was at the game on Saturday and Mason appeared to injure his left arm somewhere near the start of the second half (or at least that is where I noticed him holding it close to his body and gingerly while trotting to the sidelines). I noticed it on one series and he still went back in but again came back to the sidelines holding it again as if it was bothering him. He didn't play again after that and I saw the trainers wrapping and applying padding just above his elbow on the bicep. That is what I know for sure, my guess is that it looked like a deep bruise or bone bruise type thing the way they were treating it (i.e. not checking his shoulder or elbow out, just adding padding). This of course, could have been in combination with him being fatigued and Taito playing decent which is why he didn't return. The other thing I noticed is that they seemed to not run as much once he left the game (not sure if that was Bailey making an adjustment) which led to the punts which of course led to the short fields for Sac.

I also noticed that Saucedo was taken out and DeCock played right guard for the last quarter. I don't know if he was injured or just replaced to let DeCock have some reps/.

I heard/read that Mason was "fatigued" during the second half and that Kramer said, the wear and tear of the previous 2 games had caught up to him. He was rested not injured according to the Tribune.

i think saucedo was replaced because he was cramping up.it looked like it.he was grabbing his calf and was getting stretched.but what do i know.im no doctor.

I agree. It's easy to go back now. But in the middle of the game I think it's easy to go in at half up big and dominating. We're always saying others should get playing time in order to develop the future. To me, that's what they did.[/quote]

And with that logic, last weekend Barechest let me light the bbq and turn the buffalo burgers.

I will reiterate - having the kind of depth we have this year is a luxury we have not had in the past...

grizzh8r wrote:I will reiterate - having the kind of depth we have this year is a luxury we have not had in the past...

hmmm....another symptom of how this program is not going in the upward direction.

Blue and Gold wrote:I agree. It's easy to go back now. But in the middle of the game I think it's easy to go in at half up big and dominating. We're always saying others should get playing time in order to develop the future. To me, that's what they did.

And with that logic, last weekend Barechest let me light the bbq and turn the buffalo burgers. [/quote]

How are the eyebrows growing back in?