Hornets-Bobcats recap

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:35 pm

The more I watch this team the more I think Kramer should fire himself as special teams coach-either that or have a long, long talk with himself about it. A roughing the punter, a fumbled punt return, a kick out of bounds, offsides on the free kick after the safety, two botch holds on place kicks, had to burn a time out when they were punting, allowed a punt to go over Austin's head that they downed on the 1 foot line...did I miss anything. Oh yeah, we block a punt and they pick it up and run for a first down-it's not that he's a bad special teams coach-maybe he's just unlucky.

Now for the positives-Corey Austin is getting some yards on punt returns-he faked one of their guys completely out of his jock on a return. Just teach him to tuck it away-and field those high punts (to his defense, the winds made that a dicey proposition). If we get the special teams stuff cleaned up this team will be even better.

Nice to see Groves running the ball so well-got over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns! That's nice to see.

Any body know how Murray's doing? He was out of the game after the first catch of the game.

Why did Sac switch quarterbacks? That #5 was a sitting duck-the other guy wasn't spectacular, but I though he looked more effective. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered. King and Marudas had their ears pinned back and they were getting there in a big hurry.

Am I greedy for wanted to tag a couple more touchdowns on these guys?

4th straight winning season. I've followed Bobcat football for over 30 years (since I was a young pup), I've seen some really bad football over the years. Kramer has this program pointed in the right direction-no matter what-credit to him and his staff.

Great win Cats-first place!!!

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:47 pm

oh yeah- they were successful on a fake punt (in a pretty obvious situation) and we failed on a fake punt. forgot to mention that.

Kudos to the defense not allowing the special teams blunders to make much difference on the score board!

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:51 pm

I don't think you can hit the nail on the head any harder than that. We are very lucky that our defense came to play today. Special teams SUCKED!

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:57 pm

Word was Murray had a hip pointer and they kept him out because they can compound into other more serious injuries. We didn't need him, I'd rather save him for EWU.

grizband · Post by **grizband** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:32 pm

Nice game today Cats. I was impressed that Lulay wasn't the leading rusher this game (when was the last time a Cat had 100 yards rushing that wasn't named Lulay?). Heres to Cat/Griz being for all the marbles again this year.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:47 pm

grizband wrote:Nice game today Cats. I was impressed that Lulay wasn't the leading rusher this game (when was the last time a Cat had 100 yards rushing that wasn't named Lulay?). Heres to Cat/Griz being for all the marbles again this year.

Domineck had 96 yards (close to 100) this year vs ISU.

Last year, Dom had 143 yds vs EWU. Lulay had 110 yds.

grizband · Post by **grizband** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:50 pm

grizzh8r wrote:
grizband wrote:Nice game today Cats. I was impressed that Lulay wasn't the leading rusher this game (when was the last time a Cat had 100 yards rushing that wasn't named Lulay?). Heres to Cat/Griz being for all the marbles again this year.
Domineck had 96 yards (close to 100) this year vs ISU.

Last year, Dom had 143 yds vs EWU. Lulay had 110 yds.

Thanks, I knew there were some, I just couldn't remember when they were.

Catz Rock · Post by **Catz Rock** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:18 pm

grizband wrote:Nice game today Cats. I was impressed that Lulay wasn't the leading rusher this game (when was the last time a Cat had 100 yards rushing that wasn't named Lulay?). Heres to Cat/Griz being for all the marbles again this year.

Congrats to the Griz as well.
We look forward to the "Battle of the Wild".

19CAT · Post by **19CAT** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:00 am

Side note * Groves didn't start getting the ball until the second quarter, imagine if he would have gotten it for all 4.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:09 am

19CAT wrote:Side note * Groves didn't start getting the ball until the second quarter, imagine if he would have gotten it for all 4.

He really only carried the ball in the 2nd and 4th quarters. We kept waiting for a run play in the third quarter. But, it just went hand in hand with how wacky the rest of that period was.

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:13 pm

I think we set the run up with the passing. If we started out running and forced it I don't believe we would have been as successful. SAc was playng pass alsmost all day. We have to keep playing the way we did yesterday and not get predictable...or any more predictable.

I also think that Kramer has a problem with gadget plays, fakes, tricks or anything that doesn't say "I'm gonna run the ball down your throat". He doesn't do them, and kind of expects anyone who would, to be kind of a wimp! I think it's also why when other teams pull something we always get burnt. I think we need to expect the unexpected especially with the Griz. Hauck will pull out the stops to get the upper hand, and Kramer needs to be ready and expect trick plays and fakes on every crucial or close situation.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:25 pm

I thought yesterday's game was wonderful to watch; albeit the special teams play. In lieu of the win, here's my $.02:

Offense:

O-line: Overall a very good day for this unit. Sac State was blitzing continuously on the 'Cats and they did a good job of picking it up. I admit to being pissed with a lack of execution on our very first run play of the day. But, something happened after that and they really took after their assignments with an attitude I haven't seen yet this year. I am very optimistic that this was the game they needed to finally gel as a unit.

WR: One of these games I'll have to concentrate on these guys more. I sat in the skyboxes yesterday and one thing I do love about that (aside from being out of the wind) is that you really see the play developing from that vantage point. The receivers seem to be running their routes hard. I continue to be impressed with Chaz Guinn. He has turned into a great third down receiver for us this year. Ricky is playing hard. He runs his routes hard every time I'm watching him. There was a couple of times yesterday where Travis wasn't able to get the ball to him over the middle due to pressure or was checking another read. It seems at times he's so anxious to run the ball that he forgets to catch it first. But, I'll take him all day long. The catch that Jevon made on the opening drive was absolutely beautiful. He was open at least four times long over the course of the game but the throws were just long. It may have been my angle, but it appeared that a couple of times he gave up on the route a little early.

RB: I think we're all aware of how well Evin ran the ball yesterday. He is an exciting back to watch! I hope he continues to work on the pass blocking because in this offense it means as much as the ability to run with the ball. I thought that JD ran the ball very well when he had the opportunity. I love him out of the backfield in passing situations. This is where he shines the most in my eyes.

QB: I noticed a few things in Travis' play yesterday that probably go hand in hand. He chose to take off and run less even when there was an open field ahead. Instead I saw him checking off to a second or third receiver quite often over the course of the day. It also seemed to me that Travis was doing a lot more audible calling at the line which I thought had been absent at least in last weekend's NAU game. It's amazing how every play he comes to the line of scrimmage I feel like there's the potential for something magical to happen and I can't wait for the play to start to see what it is.

OC: I thought the play calling was very good. The use of screens, quick pitches, commitment to more running plays (I'm not saying we have to run, but being open minded enough to try it and then keep with it when it works was good stuff). I think we saw the benefits of how the pass can set up the run and vice versa when you have both aspects of the game working.

Defense:
D-line: Have Kolone back was big in a couple of ways. It allowed us to subsitute in and keep fresh people on the line; this had a very big impact on how we didn't allow points after special teams let downs. This unit has not allowed the O-line to push them back consistently now for two games. They have upped the level of their play IMO.

LB: When Lowe and Marudas maintain outside contain our defense is much more effective. This helps in turning the running back upfield and having to face pursuing ILB and lineman. Backside pursuit by these players was also the key in our success against a back who likes to bounce it outside. Mollohan and King benefited from the increased level in play from the D line. When these guys are allowed to run down the play and not constantly have to fight through a lineman, it makes a world of difference. All of the LB's really moved to the ball well yesterday.

Secondary: We either seriously out-classed their WR's yesterday or these guys really busted their butts in practice this week working on coming up to make the tackle just after the catch, reading the receiver's eyes and loooking back to make a play on the ball, overall more aggressive play. the safeties did a good job of coming up on run plays to provide run support.

DC: This is the second straight week I have seen a more appropriate 3-4 scheme. We were putting quite a bit of pressure on their quarterback through some pretty good blitzes; we had something like five sacks yesterday. Overall, the defense was the biggest pleasure of the day. You could tell the last 1 1/2 quarters that the they had smelled a little blood and liked it. There was a swagger back in their step which is something I really haven't seen since the beginning of last season. The last four series of the game, SSU had negative yards each time.

Special teams: Needs work, we all know that.

I know we blew out SFA. But, I thought this was one of the most complete games for us of the season. The game plan, game management, was enjoyable to watch.

KillintheGriz · Post by **KillintheGriz** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:51 pm

It was interesting watching a tape of the game and seeing how the Sac State D-line didn't bite at all on play action passes the first three quarters. They bit hard on a few play action passes in the 4th quarter after Groves started sticking it to them. That is what we need in Cheney. A balanced attack with a play action pass buying more time for Lulay. The EWU Eagles got killed by Cal Poly in the rushing game. 372 yards against them rushing. You can bet Kramer is going to focus on the running game this week in practice.

I'm just wondering what happened to the pass at will drives we had prior to NAU. The short passes aren't there it seems anymore. If it wasn't for the tail wind on Saturday, Lulay would have connected on two long bombs. those were pretty passes!