Bison-Bobcat postgame thoughts

[BelgradeBobcat]

Our fans did their job!

A quote from NDSU running back Kyle Steffes in today's Fargo Forum: In the end, the Bison were about a minute short in a loud stadium. Steffes said he had a hard time hearing Walker’s audibles.

“Steve had to turn his head all the way around to talk to me,” Steffes said. “It reminded me a lot of Montana two years ago.”

In an open air unenclosed stadium that's pretty good I'd say!

There's lots of good stuff in today's Fargo Forum on the game, including a really nice piece on Lulay. You have to register, but I think it's worth it.

http://www.in-forum.com/sports/

[BleedsBlue&Gold]

How about Easterns Loss at ISU?

This really opens the conference up.

[Fat Cat]

That was a really fun game, definitely exciting to the very end. I have to say, I thought the 92 yard drive was great. I liked the play calling on that drive (have to give Bailey some credit), except the last play with JD scoring scared the hell out of me. Nice to see JD get in. I liked the spread formation, then Lulay taking the run when needed. It really seemed to throw the defense off. Seems like we could have done that more in the Cal Poly game. With our running game struggling, might not be a bad idea to go to this earlier in the game.

I was a little surprised we didn't see some longer passes (seemed like only about 3 attempted over 15 yards???), with Gatewood being back. Gatewood was huge taking the tough ones short in the middle! Seem like if we could get the defense spread out a little, it would open up for the run a little better. It is starting to look like we need to set up the run with the pass. Not a lot of big holes to run through.

Great job by Daly and Curly stepping in. Held a pretty darn good running back in check, for the most part.

On the D in the first half, I noticed LeBlanc cheating up on the line quite a bit. It looked like a new look, and seemed to be effective. Looked like the Cats moved away from that in the second half. LeBlanc looked to have a pretty good game also. Force layed on some big hits too.

Can't wait for next week vs ISU!

[spider]

Does anyone know if LeBlanc was playing in place of Grenfell. Or were they on the field at the same time?

[Platinumcat]

Le Blanc played in place of Grenfell at times and also we had three safeties out there a lot of the times too; it depended on the down and situation. One thing is for sure, Le Blanc really does like to come up and put a hit on people.

One problem I saw a lot was the tight end slipping past the linebackers and being hit wide open down field without a safety coming up in time to stop the play.

Saucedo was out of the game yesterday as well. According to the Chronicle he dislocated his fibula and it may require season ending surgery. When did he do this?

Was the win flashy? NO. But, I think the fact we're seeing some of the results we are is because we're playing good "playoff capable" teams. You aren't going to dominate in those games if you're not going to your bread and butter.

I look to us running the ball more in some of the games coming up against teams that just aren't this good. I'm willing to bet our running game will be better by year's end and in time for the playoffs

Great win Cats!!!! I'm proud of you and your effort.

[Helcat72]

Le Blanc played in place of Grenfell at times and also we had three safeties out there a lot of the times too; it depended on the down and situation. One thing is for sure, Le Blanc really does like to come up and put a hit on people.

One problem I saw a lot was the tight end slipping past the linebackers and being hit wide open down field without a safety coming up in time to stop the play.

Saucedo was out of the game yesterday as well. According to the Chronicle he dislocated his fibula and it may require season ending surgery. When did he do this?

Was the win flashy? NO. But, I think the fact we're seeing some of the results we are is because we're playing good "playoff capable" teams. You aren't going to dominate in those games if you're not going to your bread and butter.

I look to us running the ball more in some of the games coming up against teams that just aren't this good. I'm willing to bet our running game will be better by year's end and in time for the playoffs

Great win Cats!!!! I'm proud of you and your effort.

That wasn't Saucedo who dislocated his fibula, that was Kolone

[El_Gato]

...If we don't get a pass rush by Cat/Griz Washington may throw for 125 yards.

Now THAT'S funny!!!

[longhorn_22]

Does anyone know if LeBlanc was playing in place of Grenfell. Or were they on the field at the same time?

I saw them both on at the same time quite a bit. Force, along with those two swithced around a bit.

[Platinumcat]

Thanks helcat! My bad.

[Cat-theotherwhitemeat]

Congrads to the Cats on a hard fought win! I wish I could have been there to see it.

p.s. Just so you know, I predicted you would win by 3 and I haven't picked you wrong yet. For a win prediction on your next game, I'll need some $$ sent my way.

[Bison Dan]

Congrads to the Bobcats. I was at the game and here are a few thoughts on it. Great crowd and fans.

MSU O - Great qb and receivers. O-line only avg. no running game. Lulay used quick slants and underneath passes all game long and did it like a pro. Unless the running game and the ability to have a 7 step drop for deeper passes comes around, away games will be hard to win.

MSU D - Very good line backers and db's - I think this is the strength of your team.

Coach - post game comments shows me that he is a very arrogant. 1 example. "If we get that 2nd td NDSU folds and goes away".

Good luck the rest of the year.

[bisonmike]

Good game, of course I wish it would have turned out better for NDSU. It was nice to see that our guys were fighting till the end in a close game since we haven't been tested until that game. The spread offense had a huge effect on our defense. We didn't get the pass rush we needed to stop your QB and you guys were automatic on 3rd down. I think NDSU did some things they wanted to do but ultimately we ran out of time. Too bad they don't play the game 63 minutes we would have had a better chance. But you have to give props for a huge 92 yard drive to take the lead. If our defense makes 1 play game over, but in the end Mt St did what they were good at. Here's to hoping you guys show up in Fargo real soon.

[mquast53000]

Pass Rush, Pass Rush & Pass Rush. We need to develop an effective pass attack. We never pressured NDSU’s QB. The Cats are really going to need to find their pass rush.

Our running game is still a mystery. Hasn’t Travis been the leading rusher in 3 of our 4 games? We need to figure something out- maybe we have to run short passes and screens instead of run plays…

Overall I thought the Cats look very good on Saturday. I am very excited about next weekend’s game!

Go Cats!!!

[BobcatLionFan]

Does anyone know if LeBlanc was playing in place of Grenfell. Or were they on the field at the same time?

I saw them both on at the same time quite a bit. Force, along with those two swithced around a bit.

The were playing a run defense, trying to contain the run. Thus they played 3 Safeties (LeBlanc and Force doing run defense with the four LBs (so to speak 9 in the box).

[kmax]

Coach - post game comments shows me that he is a very arrogant. 1 example. "If we get that 2nd td NDSU folds and goes away".

Good luck the rest of the year.

Bison Dan, I didn't hear or read that comment by Kramer, but I don't doubt he said it. I do doubt however that he meant it in the way you are taking it. Kramer is definately a tell it like it is guy and always shows a lot of respect for the opponents. I would bet that was more of a comment towards MSU not being able to "put someone away" than meaning NDSU would have given up at that point. Here is a Kramer quote from The Sporting News' Matt Dougherty's article about the game.

"That was a good win over a quality team that played very well," said Montana State head coach Mike Kramer. "I’ve coached a lot of games in the Big Sky Conference, and that would be an elite Big Sky team."

[BobcatLionFan]

Congrads to the Bobcats. I was at the game and here are a few thoughts on it. Great crowd and fans.

MSU O - Great qb and receivers. O-line only avg. no running game. Lulay used quick slants and underneath passes all game long and did it like a pro. Unless the running game and the ability to have a 7 step drop for deeper passes comes around, away games will be hard to win.

MSU D - Very good line backers and db's - I think this is the strength of your team.

Coach - post game comments shows me that he is a very arrogant. 1 example. "If we get that 2nd td NDSU folds and goes away".

Good luck the rest of the year.

Nice comments by the Bison fans, they are a quality group. Not a lot of moaning about they shoulda .....

On the thoughts about:

MSU O - OL allowed no sacks, no pressure of Lulay at all. He had all the time he needed to throw against supposedly a very good Defensive line of NDSU. Supposed NDSU had lots of sacks prior to this game?

I think in the previous 3 games, NDSU only gave up 14 points against fairly good teams. They should have given up 27 (given Lulay fumbled on the 20 and MSU was on a roll going in for a score).

MSU had only 57 offensive plays, so it's hard to have huge offensive numbers. NDSU controlled the clock, but could not score in a short time frame.

If the rolls were reversed, MSU having the ball with 1:41 and 80 yards, would consider MSU having a good chance to score at least a Field Goal giving the passing attack and protection of Lulay.

MSU D - I thought the front 7 (with Kolone, Mac, and Lowe out most if not all the game) did a very reasonable job. They bent, but basically stopped NDSU. NDSU had a reasonable passing game, given the D was totally focused on the run and playing zone behind the front group.

On Kramer - He is probably right about what would have happened if we had scored instead of fumbling on that drive. It was in the 2nd half? and with NDSU being a running team, falling behind by 14 or so would have been a big time problem. Krammer is a bunt guy at times. But also, Kammer does respect the other teams to a huge degree. If you listened to the half time radio, Kramer came out and said the calls against MSU (Grenfeld hit of an unprotected receiver and the other big one) were correct calls. No a lot of coaches would have said or felt that way in the heat of the game. He also thinks and said NDSU is a high quality team.

[Cat Grad]

I really enjoyed visiting with the relatives; given the nember of injuries feel we did pretty well. Can't wait to get back to Bozo Thursday night. I know MQuast is also

[Bison Dan]

Congrads to the Bobcats. I was at the game and here are a few thoughts on it. Great crowd and fans.

MSU O - Great qb and receivers. O-line only avg. no running game. Lulay used quick slants and underneath passes all game long and did it like a pro. Unless the running game and the ability to have a 7 step drop for deeper passes comes around, away games will be hard to win.

MSU D - Very good line backers and db's - I think this is the strength of your team.

Coach - post game comments shows me that he is a very arrogant. 1 example. "If we get that 2nd td NDSU folds and goes away".

Good luck the rest of the year.

Nice comments by the Bison fans, they are a quality group. Not a lot of moaning about they shoulda .....

On the thoughts about:

MSU O - OL allowed no sacks, no pressure of Lulay at all. He had all the time he needed to throw against supposedly a very good Defensive line of NDSU. Supposed NDSU had lots of sacks prior to this game?

I think in the previous 3 games, NDSU only gave up 14 points against fairly good teams. They should have given up 27 (given Lulay fumbled on the 20 and MSU was on a roll going in for a score).

MSU had only 57 offensive plays, so it's hard to have huge offensive numbers. NDSU controlled the clock, but could not score in a short time frame.

If the rolls were reversed, MSU having the ball with 1:41 and 80 yards, would consider MSU having a good chance to score at least a Field Goal giving the passing attack and protection of Lulay.

MSU D - I thought the front 7 (with Kolone, Mac, and Lowe out most if not all the game) did a very reasonable job. They bent, but basically stopped NDSU. NDSU had a reasonable passing game, given the D was totally focused on the run and playing zone behind the front group.

On Kramer - He is probably right about what would have happened if we had scored instead of fumbling on that drive. It was in the 2nd half? and with NDSU being a running team, falling behind by 14 or so would have been a big time problem. Krammer is a bunt guy at times. But also, Kammer does respect the other teams to a huge degree. If you listened to the half time radio, Kramer came out and said the calls against MSU (Grenfeld hit of an unprotected receiver and the other big one) were correct calls. No a lot of coaches would have said or felt that way in the heat of the game. He also thinks and said NDSU is a high quality team.

You must of saw a different game than I did. Lulay was doing 3 step drops all day which as you know are hard to pressure. He was forced to run out of the pocket several times. He's a hard guy to get a handle on. The reason your wrong on the he had all day to throw is he only threw down field once that I can remember. If he had all day he would have been passing down field. As long as we're playing if's - your first td was and gift (miss comm between qb and receiver) and the one before half was a great play on the receivers part that just as easily could have been dropped. The Bison missed a 4th and inches in the 3rd quarter that if they get there's a good change they score. But hey you have to make hay when the sun shines. Great Game see yea next year.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

Congrads to the Bobcats. I was at the game and here are a few thoughts on it. Great crowd and fans.

MSU O - Great qb and receivers. O-line only avg. no running game. Lulay used quick slants and underneath passes all game long and did it like a pro. Unless the running game and the ability to have a 7 step drop for deeper passes comes around, away games will be hard to win.

MSU D - Very good line backers and db's - I think this is the strength of your team.

Coach - post game comments shows me that he is a very arrogant. 1 example. "If we get that 2nd td NDSU folds and goes away".

Good luck the rest of the year.

Nice comments by the Bison fans, they are a quality group. Not a lot of moaning about they shoulda .....

On the thoughts about:

MSU O - OL allowed no sacks, no pressure of Lulay at all. He had all the time he needed to throw against supposedly a very good Defensive line of NDSU. Supposed NDSU had lots of sacks prior to this game?

I think in the previous 3 games, NDSU only gave up 14 points against fairly good teams. They should have given up 27 (given Lulay fumbled on the 20 and MSU was on a roll going in for a score).

MSU had only 57 offensive plays, so it's hard to have huge offensive numbers. NDSU controlled the clock, but could not score in a short time frame.

If the rolls were reversed, MSU having the ball with 1:41 and 80 yards, would consider MSU having a good chance to score at least a Field Goal giving the passing attack and protection of Lulay.

MSU D - I thought the front 7 (with Kolone, Mac, and Lowe out most if not all the game) did a very reasonable job. They bent, but basically stopped NDSU. NDSU had a reasonable passing game, given the D was totally focused on the run and playing zone behind the front group.

On Kramer - He is probably right about what would have happened if we had scored instead of fumbling on that drive. It was in the 2nd half? and with NDSU being a running team, falling behind by 14 or so would have been a big time problem. Krammer is a bunt guy at times. But also, Kammer does respect the other teams to a huge degree. If you listened to the half time radio, Kramer came out and said the calls against MSU (Grenfeld hit of an unprotected receiver and the other big one) were correct calls. No a lot of coaches would have said or felt that way in the heat of the game. He also thinks and said NDSU is a high quality team.

You must of saw a different game than I did. Lulay was doing 3 step drops all day which as you know are hard to pressure. He was forced to run out of the pocket several times. He's a hard guy to get a handle on. The reason your wrong on the he had all day to throw is he only threw down field once that I can remember. If he had all day he would have been passing down field. As long as we're playing if's - your first td was and gift (miss comm between qb and receiver) and the one before half was a great play on the receivers part that just as easily could have been dropped. The Bison missed a 4th and inches in the 3rd quarter that if they get there's a good change they score. But hey you have to make hay when the sun shines. Great Game see yea next year.

Both teams played a very tough/physical game. It could have been won by both teams had the ball bounced a different way (made a first down here or there). NDSU is a very solid team and I actually think they should throw a little more to make themselves less one dimensional (even though they are great at running the rock). Your QB can definately throw the ball so why not put in some more passing in a few games to open things up and make you harder to game plan for. MSU was using 9 in the box the whole game making NDSU try and beat tehm through the air. They rarely went downfield. I think this was a game where both teams were playing bland/short intermediate stuff so as not to shoot themselves in the foot etc. It made for a very close and very entertaining game.

[gocats]

Damn, missed probably the best game of the year. Stupid Reno, missed the game AND lost all of my money. Next time I will have to check the schedule before I make plans like that.