Postgame thoughts = WYCAT style

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:46 am

Just got back late last night from Stillwater (boy the price of gas was not in my budget when I made these plans months ago

) and wanted to share my thoughts.

First of all, I want to say what a great group of fans and people I met in Stillwater. We were there for 2 1/2 days wearing blue and gold the whole time and everyone was great to us. I have never been received that well by a home team in my many travels as a fan. Great fans and a great game day atmosphere. If I had accepted all of the tailgating invites I received I would have been way too drunk to enjoy the game. Thanks to everyone that made us feel as welcome as we felt.

The field and stadium were great. I talked to Coach Kramer before the game and he said we will have this same turf at Bobcat Stadium within 2 years. He said it is a must if we want to play late playoff games at home and be able to practice in the spring with Bozeman's weather. I have always been a grass guy but after seeing it up close, I think I am converted.

Some of my thoughts on the game itself:

The only area we really were dominated in was their defensive front vs. our offensive line. Travis was under fire all day long. Bass looked a lot better than Domenick but we really abandoned the run after half time. I look to see a lot more Bass as the year goes on. The receivers had a few drops (especially Miller) but all in all not bad. I feel 1000% better this year after game 1 than last season about our offense in general. We moved the ball well quite a bit - the 10 points don't reflect that.

I couldn't believe they completed the winning touchdown. Everyone in the Cat section went crazy because we thought Grenfell had made the interception. It was very close to a pick - and that was huge.

Well coached game by Kramer and Co. The only questionable call was the fake punt from our own 14. The defense came up huge but that was not very well received in the stands. Conditioning never looked to be a problem and they handled the noise, heat, etc. very well.

I can't wait to see how the defense fairs next week. They were very good in Stillwater and allowed this to be as close as it was. Was it a fluke due to OSU's new offense or were we that good?????

Our kicking game was great. Kickoff were long and deep, the field goal was perfectly executed all around, the punting was good, and even the coverage teams were good. Much improved all around in this area.

One dad (who asked to remain anonymous) said immediately after the game - "we won't lose another game all year, guaranteed." After what we saw Saturday - He may be correct! I agree with a lot of what I have read on the board, this may be a very special year Cat fans.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:29 am

Thanks WYCAT! Always nice to hear from someone who made the game. Like most of us I was glued to the radio, but it just ain't the same. I am looking forward to a great year though- feeling really good.

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:51 pm

We were lucky enough to also go to the game. And agree with the comments above. Some of my thoughts

You have never seen so much school spirit in your life as OSU. EVERYONE had orange on except a couple that had Black with some orange (black being the other school color). Everything from Chairs to cars were OSU. They had tailgating everywhere with TVs, satellite dishs. But I would say NOTHING negative was said about MSU before the game and especially after.

BASS is the REAL thing. He is positively a stud. JD is very good, but Bass knows how to hit a hole. And fast!!!! He is a big time find.

Our LBs were everywhere with Speed. King ran running backs and QB down from behind. Mac was an animal!!! The D-Line held up their OL and stood their ground. They let the LBs play. Kolone played well. Lou played OK but was reaching over OL blocks trying to tackle (a little lazy). Their OL was Huge (Lou's same size).

Hunter is a positive stud. Had the speed to run with their speed (which was very good on the OSU part). His one interference was probably true, but didn't have to be called, they were both going for the ball. His play alone showed the DBs had improved a HUGE amount over last year.

Lulay played an excellent game. No rust like last year in the first game. If he had more time on the first play of the game, it would have been 7 nothing Bobcats. The pattern was positively great. Just Lulay was pressed really bad. Lulay was, well Lulay the best Div I-AA QB and one of the top in the nation after this game.

The receivers had a couple of drops, but in general played well with very good speed. Guinn played well (good number of catches) but he got drilled once. Not sure if he still knows where he is.

Hastings looked/was solid, nothing spectacular. It looks like he will make the FGs that he should (35 in) and will make some beyond. But he's not the big time striker of the ball, just solid.

The TEs were OK, some good catchs. Blocking wasn't real strong. Trying to keep them in to help the pressure at times, but really didn't do anything, they were to undersized and on the weak side to help. They need a little more time in the weight room.

The OL (LT and center) was the only major problem of the day. 14 and 99 came through those areas big time. The right side of the line was fine. The OSU LBs were the real thing (Div I studs). Size and speed. That is where all the pressure was coming from. They were blitzing and found the soft spots and kept coming. Last Q I didn't see as much of a problem so we must have adjusted somewhat.

One play I remember was OSU was punting (they do a spread OL, about 4 yards between each position) and 3 backs just in front of the kicker. The middle is off to the side on the snap and then steps into the middle of the three to protect the kick. This middle guy got drilled by one of the rushers. He got knocked back about 8 yards and ended on the ground. He went of the field not knowing where he was. Kind of sent a message to OSU about MSU. Don't remember who the MSU player was but WOW. Most people were probably following the ball but that was a HIT.

Final thoughts, OSU kept their starters in ALL game until the last two plays (which were knee downs). The OSU players were cocky the 1st Q and first 5 minutes of the 3rd Q. The rest of the time they were playing as hard as they could and playing equals. There was no cockyness in them

Also, the play calling of Bailey was exceptional. If we didn't have the two offsides by DeCock down by the goal line and we would have had time on the first play of the game (it was really that open) it would have been an even more interesting game.

In general, it was a game I was really glad I went to.

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:03 pm

lulay should have spent more time in the shotgun, thats what killed us. i doubt their dbs were respecting us deep

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:10 pm

BobcatLionFan wrote:Lulay was, well Lulay the best Div II QB and one of the top in the nation after this game.

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:42 pm

Hell's Bells wrote:lulay should have spent more time in the shotgun, thats what killed us. i doubt their dbs were respecting us deep

We had no time to run deep patterns because of the pressure he was getting so their DBs did not have to worry about deep as much. We needed to stop their LBs from coming right up the middle or around LT more than doing the shotgun.

However, Murry and Miller did have the speed that made their DBs focus. Remember, this was a REAL Div I team, they had SPEED, far more than we will see in one place ALL YEAR.

Btowncat · Post by **Btowncat** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:22 pm

Thanks to WYCAT and BobcatLionFan for the game notes. After seeing the game stats, I was curious to know how the Cat run defense looked (OSU averaged more than 5 per carry). Any thoughts from those that saw the game?

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:31 pm

Btowncat wrote:Thanks to WYCAT and BobcatLionFan for the game notes. After seeing the game stats, I was curious to know how the Cat run defense looked (OSU averaged more than 5 per carry). Any thoughts from those that saw the game?

Their QB(s) ran the ball well. It seemed a lot of their yards came on them scrambling because no one was open (DBs did a good job) or it was a designed run for the QB around the corner. So that helped their yards per carry. Also, I don't remember we had any sacks that would have taken away yards (except for maybe King running down the QB around the end for maybe a short loss).

Their OL was huge. On short yardage 3rd and 1 to 3, they ran up the middle and made it. but I don't remember them killing us running at all. Mostly the QB, you might check the stats, but I would say all the long runs and big average came from the QBs (they played two). Their QB saved the game for them.

I would say the 3-4 stood up well this game.

Btowncat · Post by **Btowncat** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:47 pm

Thanks for the info BobcatLionsfan; that's makes me feel much better about the run defense. According to the stats, we did register one sack. Sounds like our dbs played very well (particularly compared to the secondary the Cats had to paste together much of last year).

CatFamily · Post by **CatFamily** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:01 pm

Thanks to WYCAT and BobcatLionFan for the summary of the game! Great analysis. Wished I was there! Sooooo much to look forward to... now continue with this play the 2nd game CATS and we are off....

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:20 pm

Btowncat wrote:Thanks to WYCAT and BobcatLionFan for the game notes. After seeing the game stats, I was curious to know how the Cat run defense looked (OSU averaged more than 5 per carry). Any thoughts from those that saw the game?

Here is a telling stat from the Tulsa paper:

Woods started and played a majority of snaps, completing 10 of 20 passes for 117 yards and rushing for 61 yards on nine carries. Redshirt freshman Bobby Reid ran for 82 yards on six attempts.

Looks like Lion is right... without their QB's scrambling on broken plays and designed sweeps their rushing game was pretty limited.

Although I'm still bummed we threw away our last few chances to pull ahead, I must say that I was truly exited with the way our defense played.

LaCat · Post by **LaCat** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:22 pm

We drove up from Louisiana to watch the game (note to Peter Fields: scedule one Bobcat game down South here each year - post season games in Chattanooga are ok too.

The Cats were very impressive. Can't say enough about Lulay's ability to make reads and see the field. Defense was quality+, holding a Big XII team to 10 points - WOW! That goal line stand was incredible.

This was my 3rd opportunity to see OSU. Their fans are great, friendly, and always welcoming. Their hospitality is exceeded only bu LSU and Texas A&M.

Seeing our Bobcat friends and parents was fun. The 1st floor of Eskimo Joes became a sea of Bobcat blue. After the game OSU fans couldn't say enough about the Cats and especially Lulay. One said the would have really kicked our arse the teams had switche QB's.

The OU disaster got over 3 hours before game time and they were already selling "CHOKE; the official soft drink of OU football." t-shirts outside the OSU stadium.

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:24 pm

BobcatLionFan wrote:
Hell's Bells wrote:lulay should have spent more time in the shotgun, thats what killed us. i doubt their dbs were respecting us deep
We had no time to run deep patterns because of the pressure he was getting so their DBs did not have to worry about deep as much. We needed to stop their LBs from coming right up the middle or around LT more than doing the shotgun.

However, Murry and Miller did have the speed that made their DBs focus. Remember, this was a REAL Div I team, they had SPEED, far more than we will see in one place ALL YEAR.

if we can make it at least a chore to get to lulay then he would have more time to hit the short - intermediate routs he was hitting all game long, also more time to scramble if need be

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:36 pm

Sounds like DeCock was overmatched the entire game. The coaches had concerns about his quickness last year, especially when his weight got up around 325. I wonder if he is quick enough for tackle. Jensen may be back in the starting lineup soon.

I was surprised to hear Birkeland was overmatched. The switch to center probably limited his effectiveness. The Minnesota Vikings lost their starting center this year and so they tried to convert a guard and that did not work. They traded for a center the other day. It is difficult to snap and block especially against a fast defense like OSU. He will get better. He is the prototypical size for a center.

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:14 am

gtapp wrote:Sounds like DeCock was overmatched the entire game. The coaches had concerns about his quickness last year, especially when his weight got up around 325. I wonder if he is quick enough for tackle. Jensen may be back in the starting lineup soon.

I was surprised to hear Birkeland was overmatched. The switch to center probably limited his effectiveness. The Minnesota Vikings lost their starting center this year and so they tried to convert a guard and that did not work. They traded for a center the other day. It is difficult to snap and block especially against a fast defense like OSU. He will get better. He is the prototypical size for a center.

I didn't take it that Birkeland was overmatched as much as he didn't make the right reads on Blitzes and was possibly helping out one of the guards instead of picking up the incoming LB on a slightly delayed blitz. This is just experience type of mistakes. I saw worse by the Miami center against FSU last night on TV.

I saw DeCock pushed back into Lulay on a bull rush by the DE as well as circled by pure speed rushes by the LB outside. In particular when the TE was next to him and then released immediately out on a route. Adam couldn't slide out quick enough to pick up the speed rush. Looking on the bright side, this was DIV IA and OSU's strongest position appeared to be LBs. They were fast. Not going to see this type of player again. Possibly more size but not speed/strength.

profisme · Post by **profisme** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:33 pm

It sounded like OSU's linebackers were everywhere. Even so, I believe that Jordan Beck is possibly the best linebacker the Cats have faced for as long as I have followed them. It was a shame to see Beck get hurt, but he will be a starter soon enough in the NFL. I am happy to see Peder get the start again. He did a good job last year and I believe he will do even better this year. Can't wait for Saturday.

EPH

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:51 pm

Check this site out for pics of the OSU game, in particular note the score board. www.iaafootball.com

raincat · Post by **raincat** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:37 pm

Take a look at www.o-state.com ,subject "WOW" and see what they have to say about the Cats. Interesting reading the other point-of-view.

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:14 pm

raincat wrote:Take a look at www.o-state.com ,subject "WOW" and see what they have to say about the Cats. Interesting reading the other point-of-view.

[quote - "member of o-state.com"]You can say what you want about MSU, but they had some quality athletes on their team and they played their hearts out. Their QB will be playing in the NFL

agreed

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:35 pm

I thought this one was great:

WYCAT, I listened to part of the game on your local radio station, and was so impressed by how impartial and sportsmanlike the announcers were, and how kind their words were about our program and our facilities. Class act, all the way.

Want you to know that this Cowboy fan will be following the Bobcats progress this year and pulling for big wins in every game. Good luck!