Grades

[GoldstoneCat]

I really thought our offensive line got pushed around. Specifically the guys on the right side had a tough game.

I'm grading it this week so I'll let y'all know what I see!

Seems like Carr has really struggled. Surprised they’re not giving Rollins a chance out there.

My guess without knowing for absolutely sure is that Carr will be the one who goes to the bench whenever mastel gets healed up.

[onceacat]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

[Cataholic]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

64 rushing yards were accumulated on 2 plays. You to move those two plays and we averaged 3.5 per run. We also had 29 pass plays which you could argue that Lamson was under significant pressure for about 80% of those plays.

[91catAlum]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

Not sure how you can say that, unless you missed the game and are just looking at the stats sheet. Outside of Lamson scrambling and 2 nice runs from Davis, we failed to establish any consistent run game, Lamson had little time to throw, and we lost in OT because we couldn't pick up a 4th and 1. Our RBs were shut down most of the game.
Credit the sdsu front, they played great, but you can't say the MSU O line played a good game. The sdsu defensive front controlled the LOS most of the game.

EDIT. Forgot to mention too that our offense was shut out in the second half. At home.

What grade would you give the O line and why?

[onceacat]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

Not sure how you can say that, unless you missed the game and are just looking at the stats sheet. Outside of Lamson scrambling and 2 nice runs from Davis, we failed to establish any consistent run game, Lamson had little time to throw, and we lost in OT because we couldn't pick up a 4th and 1. Our RBs were shut down most of the game.
Credit the sdsu front, they played great, but you can't say the MSU O line played a good game. The sdsu defensive front controlled the LOS most of the game.

EDIT. Forgot to mention too that our offense was shut out in the second half. At home.

What grade would you give the O line and why?

Rush stats are ALWAYS skewed by long runs. Happened all the time with Tommy & Troy. Even without the big breakaway, Jones averaged 3.3, but he only got the ball 9 times...how do you let the best RB in the conference only get 9 touches!!!???

I agree that pass pro was pretty weak.

And I agree that picking up 4th and one should be a near gimme...but wasn't that set up in shotgun? You do that in a tush push or take the snap under center in my world.

I don't think they were good by any stretch of the imagination. But theres a long way between 'not good' and D-....Probably grade them out as a C (maybe a C+ if I think that the SDSU D-Line is really good)

I put a lot of that on the OC.

[onceacat]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

64 rushing yards were accumulated on 2 plays. You to move those two plays and we averaged 3.5 per run. We also had 29 pass plays which you could argue that Lamson was under significant pressure for about 80% of those plays.

Why on earth are we throwing the ball 29 times when we are averaging 3.5 yards per carry? 3.5 is perfectly adequate to establish a solid run game & move the chains.

[Cataholic]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

Not sure how you can say that, unless you missed the game and are just looking at the stats sheet. Outside of Lamson scrambling and 2 nice runs from Davis, we failed to establish any consistent run game, Lamson had little time to throw, and we lost in OT because we couldn't pick up a 4th and 1. Our RBs were shut down most of the game.
Credit the sdsu front, they played great, but you can't say the MSU O line played a good game. The sdsu defensive front controlled the LOS most of the game.

EDIT. Forgot to mention too that our offense was shut out in the second half. At home.

What grade would you give the O line and why?

Rush stats are ALWAYS skewed by long runs. Happened all the time with Tommy & Troy. Even without the big breakaway, Jones averaged 3.3, but he only got the ball 9 times...how do you let the best RB in the conference only get 9 touches!!!???

I agree that pass pro was pretty weak.

And I agree that picking up 4th and one should be a near gimme...but wasn't that set up in shotgun? You do that in a tush push or take the snap under center in my world.

I don't think they were good by any stretch of the imagination. But theres a long way between 'not good' and D-....Probably grade them out as a C (maybe a C+ if I think that the SDSU D-Line is really good)

I put a lot of that on the OC.

I agree with everything you said. Only suggesting why Gary had it at a D-. Your grade is probably more realistic, but the pass protection was really bad. Honestly, we have a couple guys that just aren’t as athletic as our past. They need to get things sorted out.

[Cataholic]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

64 rushing yards were accumulated on 2 plays. You to move those two plays and we averaged 3.5 per run. We also had 29 pass plays which you could argue that Lamson was under significant pressure for about 80% of those plays.

Why on earth are we throwing the ball 29 times when we are averaging 3.5 yards per carry? 3.5 is perfectly adequate to establish a solid run game & move the chains.

I was surprised that we averaged 3.5 yards per carry. It felt like 1.5 or 2. SDSU seemed to be making contact behind the line of scrimmage on almost every play. We have some strong RB’s that helped get that number to 3.5. Maybe a better analysis is the initial point of contact and it was no where near 3 yards.

[gtapp]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

Get rid of the long scramble by Lamson and the long run by Julius and the running game did nothing. Watch the push when pass blocking. We got run over.

[gtapp]

This was not the SDSU we are used to seeing. Their DL was as good, their OL was good but not as good as before. Their QB, receivers, TE and RB were just not as good as we have seen over the years. They were OK to good but a step behind what we have seen over the years. They made a lot of mistakes in each of their first 2 games so coaching is not performing up to expectations either.

[VimSince03]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

Get rid of the long scramble by Lamson and the long run by Julius and the running game did nothing. Watch the push when pass blocking. We got run over.

I wouldn't call it run over but I think its definitely closer to a D- than fans want to admit. I'm breaking it down and grading it this week so be on the lookout for my post.

[ilovethecats]

Even without the big breakaway, Jones averaged 3.3, but he only got the ball 9 times...how do you let the best RB in the conference only get 9 touches!!!???

I agree and absolutely hated it as well. Not running the ball in specific situations drove me wild. But I’ll give you a silver lining. Run over to egriz and read the thread about our run game. We played fricken Oregon and SDSU. Top 5 in FBS, top 2 in FCS. They played central ****** Washington. But the stats after our two games and their one game clearly show how much better their backs are.

So you’d miss out on the absolute delusion over there if we ran the ball like you and I would like us to!!!

[onceacat]

Defense B+
Offense C-
O-Line D-
Play Calling D-

I don't claim to be an O Line expert by any stretch, but the Cats averaged 5 yards per rush (including sacks)...How on earth do you call that a D-?

And the D held SDSU to 4.7 yards per play, 2.7 yards per rush, had 8 TFL & 4 sacks.

I'm with you on play calling, but the stats just don't back up the idea of the MSU O-Line getting pushed around...at least not in the run game.

Get rid of the long scramble by Lamson and the long run by Julius and the running game did nothing. Watch the push when pass blocking. We got run over.

If you take out the two long runs the Cats STILL averaged 3.5 yards & the bunnies averaged 2.7 counting all their longest runs.

[tetoncat]

Lamson had one scramble run that Meliot would have had TD and Davis long run would have been TD if it was Jones. Difference in speed

[VimSince03]

Lamson had one scramble run that Meliot would have had TD and Davis long run would have been TD if it was Jones. Difference in speed

Tommy Mellott doesn't play for the team anymore so we probably could all be healthier if we backed off the "well Tommy would've scored" because we its going to happen a lot this year. We were a very spoiled fanbase with QB's that could house runs dating back to Chris Murray. Lamson has also showed good pocket awareness to not have many negative plays behind an OL that is really struggling right now. I do agree though that its crazy how many times I saw a scramble and thought "Tommy literally houses this with ease". I was more upset Lamson was putting the ball on the ground last night after good runs.

Adam Jones also has the opportunity to break off long runs. Its not like they block better for Davis vs. Jones. Jones needs to find a way to do more when he gets his opportunities. This was also something that plagued him in the playoffs last year against NDSU and South Dakota. Davis has done more with his opportunities so far this season.

[catscat]

My take - SDSU learned more in their game against Sac than we did against Oregon. The Oregon game didn't show how great the difference between Tommy and Lamson as runners really is/was. There were plays where Lamson got 4 yards and Tommy would have gotten 20 because Tommy would run around a tackler and Lamson ran right into them. I, and maybe others, underestimated Sac cuz they were 3-9 last year. Yesterday they nearly beat Nevada.

ST - covered by others. Nuf said.

Defense - still young and developing. Let some receivers go uncovered. Otherwise pretty stout.

[Cataholic]

Lamson had one scramble run that Meliot would have had TD and Davis long run would have been TD if it was Jones. Difference in speed

Tommy Mellott doesn't play for the team anymore so we probably could all be healthier if we backed off the "well Tommy would've scored" because we its going to happen a lot this year. We were a very spoiled fanbase with QB's that could house runs dating back to Chris Murray. Lamson has also showed good pocket awareness to not have many negative plays behind an OL that is really struggling right now. I do agree though that its crazy how many times I saw a scramble and thought "Tommy literally houses this with ease". I was more upset Lamson was putting the ball on the ground last night after good runs.

Adam Jones also has the opportunity to break off long runs. Its not like they block better for Davis vs. Jones. Jones needs to find a way to do more when he gets his opportunities. This was also something that plagued him in the playoffs last year against NDSU and South Dakota. Davis has done more with his opportunities so far this season.

Julius was super patient yesterday, while Adam was full steam into the holes. Given Julius’ power and Adam’s speed, it would seem that each could benefit more from the others style. I realize each play design also calls for different styles, so maybe the OC could have given Julius more “thunder” plays and Adam more “lightning” plays.

[VimSince03]

Lamson had one scramble run that Meliot would have had TD and Davis long run would have been TD if it was Jones. Difference in speed

Tommy Mellott doesn't play for the team anymore so we probably could all be healthier if we backed off the "well Tommy would've scored" because we its going to happen a lot this year. We were a very spoiled fanbase with QB's that could house runs dating back to Chris Murray. Lamson has also showed good pocket awareness to not have many negative plays behind an OL that is really struggling right now. I do agree though that its crazy how many times I saw a scramble and thought "Tommy literally houses this with ease". I was more upset Lamson was putting the ball on the ground last night after good runs.

Adam Jones also has the opportunity to break off long runs. Its not like they block better for Davis vs. Jones. Jones needs to find a way to do more when he gets his opportunities. This was also something that plagued him in the playoffs last year against NDSU and South Dakota. Davis has done more with his opportunities so far this season.

Julius was super patient yesterday, while Adam was full steam into the holes. Given Julius’ power and Adam’s speed, it would seem that each could benefit more from the others style. I realize each play design also calls for different styles, so maybe the OC could have given Julius more “thunder” plays and Adam more “lightning” plays.

Jones will be fine but I agree. Davis also has an underrated burst when he sees it. Breakaway speed isn't there but he doesn't get enough credit for his ability to accelerate at the LOS. Jones needs to work on his field vision. Also, a lot of this will get better as our oline gets better.

[tetoncat]

Lamson had one scramble run that Meliot would have had TD and Davis long run would have been TD if it was Jones. Difference in speed

Tommy Mellott doesn't play for the team anymore so we probably could all be healthier if we backed off the "well Tommy would've scored" because we its going to happen a lot this year. We were a very spoiled fanbase with QB's that could house runs dating back to Chris Murray. Lamson has also showed good pocket awareness to not have many negative plays behind an OL that is really struggling right now. I do agree though that its crazy how many times I saw a scramble and thought "Tommy literally houses this with ease". I was more upset Lamson was putting the ball on the ground last night after good runs.

Adam Jones also has the opportunity to break off long runs. Its not like they block better for Davis vs. Jones. Jones needs to find a way to do more when he gets his opportunities. This was also something that plagued him in the playoffs last year against NDSU and South Dakota. Davis has done more with his opportunities so far this season.

No ******.
My post never said he was here. I referenced the speed difference. Plays Mellott turned into TDs won't be this year. Cats will need sustained drives unless maybe Jones breaks one, which was my second reference. Jones got 9 carries and may not of had the same play call that Davis broke outside on. But Jones was more effective in 1st OT than Davis was in 2nd.

[kwcat]

Blocked punt led to SDSUs first TD.
Shanked punt led to their 2nd TD.
Missed a FG in the 1st quarter.
Lost 2 fumbles.

You can't have that many mistakes against a good team, and win. Period.

Defense played well enough to win, at least in regulation.

Offense struggled, especially in the 2nd half when they were shut out AT HOME! Couldn't complete a pass. Couldn't run consistently. Lots of 3 and outs. Time of possession was lopsided. Credit the sdsu defense for some of that, but honestly the offense looked better against Oregon. They've got to figure some things out quickly. Luckily we have 2 inferior opponents the next 2 game to do so.

It was an ugly game in many ways. A few bright spots but not enough. But SDSU didn't play clean either having many mistakes themselves. It was apparent to me, and likely everyone else watching, that you have two very good programs who experienced significant losses at the end of last season, both in coaches and players, and they're still figuring things out. If, (when) these two teams meet again they will both be different/better. And the game may be a nail biter again, just not riddled with mistakes. Playing each other preseason will reap dividends for both the Cats and the Jacks. I could see both teams rolling through the rest of the season undefeated, with the NDSU and UM games being the outliers.

I agree with this. Last year after playing USD and NDSU I thought that our O-Line and especially our D-line was a step behind the Dakota's. This was apparent again last night except that I think that we have made progress on the D-line and regressed on the O-line. We have really been hurt by the portal the last few years on the Oline. We have a very young Oline and they got exposed last night. I think that they will improve greatly as the season progresses but last night they were not the best O-line in the country as some have stated previously. It is also only the second game for our QB and he is clearly still learning. Our secondary is also young and will improve as the year goes on. I think that we will see one of the Dakota's again in the playoffs so we will see how much progress our young guys make. Unfortunately it will likely be an away game.

+1

Both teams win out Montana State gets the number two seed