The Unofficial Unofficial Official Gameday Thread

[OldGriz]

I predict the Cats will be up to .500 within two weeks (the next two opponents each went 4-7 last season).

[Colter_Nuanez]

[Bobcat4Ever]

I hate running a stretch play to the short side of the field. Why on earth is that a thing?!

Thank you. I asked my wife the same thing. Still no answer.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Frustrating loss, but man, what a game.

Defense played awesome. I don’t think Cole Taylor is going to be giving up his spot. He’s very good.

It will be nice for the offense to get some games where they can figure out what works and what doesn’t. Going against Oregon & SDSU is tough for a new QB and play caller. Need to see improvement there. Didn’t look to me like the receivers were getting open, they’re going to need to scheme them open. Missing Long hurt a lot. OL has really struggled, but they won’t play anybody else like that until the playoffs. Lamson is a tough SOB.

Special teams…does anything more need to be said?

Kids played hard. Great game, great atmosphere, we just came out on the wrong end. Hopefully makes a good motivational moment for the rest of the season.

[85CatGrad]

This one was a bummer, and my wwiz buds did not waste time in texting me in their joy. That actually raised my spirits in all of this as I hope they keep underestimating the Cats, and conflate their baked cupcakes.

The gwis will have their hands full with UND next week. The way UND is playing they should be the favorite.

[JoeCatsJoe]

Frustrating loss, but man, what a game.

Defense played awesome. I don’t think Cole Taylor is going to be giving up his spot. He’s very good.

It will be nice for the offense to get some games where they can figure out what works and what doesn’t. Going against Oregon & SDSU is tough for a new QB and play caller. Need to see improvement there. Didn’t look to me like the receivers were getting open, they’re going to need to scheme them open. Missing Long hurt a lot. OL has really struggled, but they won’t play anybody else like that until the playoffs. Lamson is a tough SOB.

Special teams…does anything more need to be said?

Kids played hard. Great game, great atmosphere, we just came out on the wrong end. Hopefully makes a good motivational moment for the rest of the season.

I felt the absence of Long really hurt us too. We missed that over the top threat. And I think King missed some throws that Long maybe would’ve gotten. And me and my cousin were discussing whether Neil or Bryce lose their starting spot. Cole Taylor is an absolute thumper, and he’s not giving that spot back. Some things to be frustrated about, for sure. But they’re “first-world” program problems that most teams would take. It’s not like we’re the only team that can’t beat the DSUs lol. It’s just been close enough to hurt.

[85CatGrad]

It was highly entertaining to say the least. Our crowd showed up and did their job. Hated to see us let it slip away, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. We have a lot of football ahead of us and I like our chances. Go CATS GO!

[BelligerentBobcat]

Frustrating loss, but man, what a game.

Defense played awesome. I don’t think Cole Taylor is going to be giving up his spot. He’s very good.

It will be nice for the offense to get some games where they can figure out what works and what doesn’t. Going against Oregon & SDSU is tough for a new QB and play caller. Need to see improvement there. Didn’t look to me like the receivers were getting open, they’re going to need to scheme them open. Missing Long hurt a lot. OL has really struggled, but they won’t play anybody else like that until the playoffs. Lamson is a tough SOB.

Special teams…does anything more need to be said?

Kids played hard. Great game, great atmosphere, we just came out on the wrong end. Hopefully makes a good motivational moment for the rest of the season.

I felt the absence of Long really hurt us too. We missed that over the top threat. And I think King missed some throws that Long maybe would’ve gotten. And me and my cousin were discussing whether Neil or Bryce lose their starting spot. Cole Taylor is an absolute thumper, and he’s not giving that spot back. Some things to be frustrated about, for sure. But they’re “first-world” program problems that most teams would take. It’s not like we’re the only team that can’t beat the DSUs lol. It’s just been close enough to hurt.

Funny, my BIL and I were having the same talk. I just don’t think you can take Taylor off the field.

Overall very much agree on your assessment. I’m sure King is a great guy, but I’m not exactly sure what he does to warrant the playing time. I’m glad I’m not a coach.

[Augustus]

Hated to see us let it slip away,

Ain't that just the common refrain for the past 40 fargin years! "Golly-gee, we're almost there!" I can't be the only one tired of this crap.

[77matman]

Not going to comment about the game. Most everything that can be said about good and bad has been said.

Isn’t the relevance of this game, that we can win the rest of our regular season games and unless SDSU or NDSU loses 2 games, we will not have home field advantage in the semis. When is the last time the visiting team won in the semis? Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

[kwcat]

A lot of these posts are ridiculous. Vigen is a good coach who has dominated the in state recruiting battle, consistently brought in high level talent, and has led us to two natty appearances. It’s ridiculous to think we’d fire him. However, it’s also fair to say that we have a huge DSU problem. We cannot beat those guys. We lose every close game against them. I’m so sick and tired of the woulda, coulda, shoulda of these games. We lost. We’re not at their level until we actually WIN against them. And I’m sick and tired of losing these close games to the DSUs where we get out executed when it matters. But that’s a pretty good problem to have. 15 years ago, we would KILL to be a tier in our own right below the NDSUs and SDSUs of the world. So it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s not all storm clouds and sadness either.

Excellent post. The sky is not falling guys. We knew there would be a drop off from last year. The Cats played two very tough opponents for their first 2 games. Sure it sucks to start 0-2 but this game went 2OT, they didn't lay down and die. Too many mistakes, by both teams really. Came up about 10" short and it bites, hard. But I think it's safe to say that the Bobcat players, and coaches, learned alot more from these 2 games that should pay dividends as the season rolls on than the dark pink team did from their bye and game against a high school team tonight. Not that it's about them, but iron sharpens iron. And it's cliche, but you learn more from losing than you do from winning. Take a breath. Have some faith. There's alot of season left.

Our defense looked pretty pathetic the first drive. But improved as the game went on in South Dakota State did what good teams do and adjusted. Thought it was a good game with a lot of positives, but we left a lot on the field and a lot to improve on yet. Long as we keep getting better, future looks bright, but the learning curve needs to be short

[Augustus]

Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

Buy a lottery ticket. At 1:300,000,000, your odds are better.

[JoeCatsJoe]

Frustrating loss, but man, what a game.

Defense played awesome. I don’t think Cole Taylor is going to be giving up his spot. He’s very good.

It will be nice for the offense to get some games where they can figure out what works and what doesn’t. Going against Oregon & SDSU is tough for a new QB and play caller. Need to see improvement there. Didn’t look to me like the receivers were getting open, they’re going to need to scheme them open. Missing Long hurt a lot. OL has really struggled, but they won’t play anybody else like that until the playoffs. Lamson is a tough SOB.

Special teams…does anything more need to be said?

Kids played hard. Great game, great atmosphere, we just came out on the wrong end. Hopefully makes a good motivational moment for the rest of the season.

I felt the absence of Long really hurt us too. We missed that over the top threat. And I think King missed some throws that Long maybe would’ve gotten. And me and my cousin were discussing whether Neil or Bryce lose their starting spot. Cole Taylor is an absolute thumper, and he’s not giving that spot back. Some things to be frustrated about, for sure. But they’re “first-world” program problems that most teams would take. It’s not like we’re the only team that can’t beat the DSUs lol. It’s just been close enough to hurt.

Funny, my BIL and I were having the same talk. I just don’t think you can take Taylor off the field.

Overall very much agree on your assessment. I’m sure King is a great guy, but I’m not exactly sure what he does to warrant the playing time. I’m glad I’m not a coach.

The size is appealing I’d imagine, especially since we don’t have much of it right now at that position. But he hasn’t made too many plays that make me think he’s worth the PT. But I’m no football coach, and I’m no talent evaluator.

[onceacat]

Not going to comment about the game. Most everything that can be said about good and bad has been said.

Isn’t the relevance of this game, that we can win the rest of our regular season games and unless SDSU or NDSU loses 2 games, we will not have home field advantage in the semis. When is the last time the visiting team won in the semis? Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

Yeah, but there's decent chance that one of the DSUs loses to another good MVFC team...I think both play SD on the road & Illinois State is supposed to be good.

I think the ideal (at this point) would be for NDSU to lose 2 & SDSU to run the table, especially if SDSU beat NDSU soundly in Brookings.

But yeah, the big deal is that Cats no longer control their destiny...Cats need to win out AND get some help from the Yotes or the Fighting Hawks or someone else.

[Colter_Nuanez]

Used a Griz pic because we had three shooters at the Cat game tonight and we've posted so many. But plenty about last night's game in this hit for you all.

[PortlandCat90]

Not going to comment about the game. Most everything that can be said about good and bad has been said.

Isn’t the relevance of this game, that we can win the rest of our regular season games and unless SDSU or NDSU loses 2 games, we will not have home field advantage in the semis. When is the last time the visiting team won in the semis? Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

Yeah, but there's decent chance that one of the DSUs loses to another good MVFC team...I think both play SD on the road & Illinois State is supposed to be good.

I think the ideal (at this point) would be for NDSU to lose 2 & SDSU to run the table, especially if SDSU beat NDSU soundly in Brookings.

But yeah, the big deal is that Cats no longer control their destiny...Cats need to win out AND get some help from the Yotes or the Fighting Hawks or someone else.

We are two nonconference games into the season and we don't control our own destiny? Where does that come from? The amount of Quit on this message board is outstanding.

[technoCat]

Not going to comment about the game. Most everything that can be said about good and bad has been said.

Isn’t the relevance of this game, that we can win the rest of our regular season games and unless SDSU or NDSU loses 2 games, we will not have home field advantage in the semis. When is the last time the visiting team won in the semis? Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

Yeah, but there's decent chance that one of the DSUs loses to another good MVFC team...I think both play SD on the road & Illinois State is supposed to be good.

I think the ideal (at this point) would be for NDSU to lose 2 & SDSU to run the table, especially if SDSU beat NDSU soundly in Brookings.

But yeah, the big deal is that Cats no longer control their destiny...Cats need to win out AND get some help from the Yotes or the Fighting Hawks or someone else.

We are two nonconference games into the season and we don't control our own destiny? Where does that come from? The amount of Quit on this message board is outstanding.

We have lost to a team ahead of us with a better record. Thus we don't control our destiny because even if we win out they need to lose. Seems pretty straightforward.

[onceacat]

Not going to comment about the game. Most everything that can be said about good and bad has been said.

Isn’t the relevance of this game, that we can win the rest of our regular season games and unless SDSU or NDSU loses 2 games, we will not have home field advantage in the semis. When is the last time the visiting team won in the semis? Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

Yeah, but there's decent chance that one of the DSUs loses to another good MVFC team...I think both play SD on the road & Illinois State is supposed to be good.

I think the ideal (at this point) would be for NDSU to lose 2 & SDSU to run the table, especially if SDSU beat NDSU soundly in Brookings.

But yeah, the big deal is that Cats no longer control their destiny...Cats need to win out AND get some help from the Yotes or the Fighting Hawks or someone else.

We are two nonconference games into the season and we don't control our own destiny? Where does that come from? The amount of Quit on this message board is outstanding.

Cats control their own destiny for a #3 seed and home field through the QF. To get a home game in the semis, Cats need some help. Thats not quit, its reality.

[PortlandCat90]

Not going to comment about the game. Most everything that can be said about good and bad has been said.

Isn’t the relevance of this game, that we can win the rest of our regular season games and unless SDSU or NDSU loses 2 games, we will not have home field advantage in the semis. When is the last time the visiting team won in the semis? Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

Yeah, but there's decent chance that one of the DSUs loses to another good MVFC team...I think both play SD on the road & Illinois State is supposed to be good.

I think the ideal (at this point) would be for NDSU to lose 2 & SDSU to run the table, especially if SDSU beat NDSU soundly in Brookings.

But yeah, the big deal is that Cats no longer control their destiny...Cats need to win out AND get some help from the Yotes or the Fighting Hawks or someone else.

We are two nonconference games into the season and we don't control our own destiny? Where does that come from? The amount of Quit on this message board is outstanding.

We have lost to a team ahead of us with a better record. Thus we don't control our destiny because even if we win out they need to lose. Seems pretty straightforward.

Seems pretty straightforward that we control our destiny that if we win every game in the playoffs, we are champs and win the Natty, thus controlling our own destiny. In reality, that is controlling one's own destiny.

[PortlandCat90]

Not going to comment about the game. Most everything that can be said about good and bad has been said.

Isn’t the relevance of this game, that we can win the rest of our regular season games and unless SDSU or NDSU loses 2 games, we will not have home field advantage in the semis. When is the last time the visiting team won in the semis? Id guess the odds are not in our favor to return to the championship game.

Yeah, but there's decent chance that one of the DSUs loses to another good MVFC team...I think both play SD on the road & Illinois State is supposed to be good.

I think the ideal (at this point) would be for NDSU to lose 2 & SDSU to run the table, especially if SDSU beat NDSU soundly in Brookings.

But yeah, the big deal is that Cats no longer control their destiny...Cats need to win out AND get some help from the Yotes or the Fighting Hawks or someone else.

We are two nonconference games into the season and we don't control our own destiny? Where does that come from? The amount of Quit on this message board is outstanding.

Cats control their own destiny for a #3 seed and home field through the QF. To get a home game in the semis, Cats need some help. Thats not quit, its reality.

Cats control their own destiny period. Win the conference and every game in the playoffs, and we are National Champs. How is that not controlling our own destiny. No larger reality than that. I guess you are saying if we play on the road in the playoffs, we lose?