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ISU Postgame Analysis
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:19 pm
by bozbobcat
Well, here we go after a very nice win for the Bobcats over the Idaho State Bengals. First off, the offense overall did a nice job. Michael Jefferson wore Superman's cape today, no doubt about it. The offensive line did a good job with protection and Mason had a nice day. Rolovich had a good throwing day, but needs to throw the ball away to avoid sacks. He'll need to work on that this week and he needs to play smarter.
The defense really did play well. Kory Austin was stellar, and Marcosus Leblanc was excellent. I thought the linebackers and defensive line did well enough and got some good pressure on their quarterback. Overall, the unit did a good job containing that Idaho State juggernaut. We saw that those guys can put the ball in the air. For Lacey to get as little as he did, that says a lot about the job the secondary did. It's strange to say that after giving up 35, but that was an old fashioned Big Sky shootout.
Special teams improved in the second half, but there is major work to be done. Punts, coverages, and kick snaps need to be improved, or else things could really get ugly at some point. The return game was decent today, except for Lewis' miff for the safety.
Overall, I think both teams played a good game and it was another exciting, close game between these two old rivals. Good luck to Idaho State for the rest of the season. But the bottom line is the Bobcats won, gaining their fourth win away from home, and going to 4-1 in conference play. The race is on, folks, and next week Weber State will be ready. So we need to do the same ourselves.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:25 pm
by Cledus
The coaching staff has no idea to handle a lead. That's what I take from the game.
Second week in a row an opponent is allowed back in a game that should have been a blow out.
Good effort by the players, especially Jefferson. Good job by Rolo.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:29 pm
by BelgradeBobcat
This has been one weird season and with each game completely weird in itself.
Great effort by the defense...until we get a 17 point lead, then they fall asleep.
Rolovich is a gunslinger-but on a 3rd and 5 late in the game with a pasture in front of him he just needs to tuck it and run instead of forcing it to Jefferson.
Still lots of stuff to clean up-but 4 wins on the road is amazing. Now lets get back home and play a game with no major screw ups (and win comfortably). Wouldn't that be refreshing.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:33 pm
by Shakermaker
BelgradeBobcat wrote:This has been one weird season and with each game completely weird in itself.
Great effort by the defense...until we get a 17 point lead, then they fall asleep.
Rolovich is a gunslinger-but on a 3rd and 5 late in the game with a pasture in front of him he just needs to tuck it and run instead of forcing it to Jefferson.
Still lots of stuff to clean up-but 4 wins on the road is amazing. Now lets get back home and play a game with no major screw ups (and win comfortably). Wouldn't that be refreshing.
Great win Cats much better game than the Griz played. I think our Defense had trouble getting through the security at the airport because they didn't make it to the game until the second half.
We had mucho mistakes/penalties... didn't wrap up on D... ugh.
I didn't get to see your second half. It was close... but the final score looks like you guys locked er' down. What adjustments did you make. Oh, and I hear Altitude Sports cut the last part of the game for the NHL.
Gay... I'd be pissed if I were you guys.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:34 pm
by Cledus
Yup. They did.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:52 pm
by MSU Toddler
to the players and coaches - great road win. thanks for making it thrilling.
i have to agree with the notion that the Cats have a tough time playing with the lead. to me, this is coaching and play calling. i'm not here to bash the coaches, but to say i hope they learn from each game as well.
the things i think it scary good about these Cats is that they are getting better with each week with regards to areas of concern (id'ed here numerous times from the prior game --- i.e. punting game, offense moving the ball, etc).
good win against a good offensive-minded team. no let downs against weber next week (fans included - rock the stadium).
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:00 pm
by PapaG
MSU Toddler wrote:to the players and coaches - great road win. thanks for making it thrilling.
i have to agree with the notion that the Cats have a tough time playing with the lead. to me, this is coaching and play calling. i'm not here to bash the coaches, but to say i hope they learn from each game as well.
the things i think it scary good about these Cats is that they are getting better with each week with regards to areas of concern (id'ed here numerous times from the prior game --- i.e. punting game, offense moving the ball, etc).
good win against a good offensive-minded team. no let downs against weber next week (fans included - rock the stadium).
It had more to do with the inability to run the ball consistently today IMO. That would have bled the clock, and that is something the 'Cats typically excel at. Plus, about three 'Cats gave up on a tackle late in the game and allowed the ISU receiver to run about 60 more yards after catching a 3rd down pass.
I'm not sure how that is coaching. The ISU receiver faked going out of bounds, the 'Cat D relaxed, and down the field the Bengal sprinted. Tackle the guy, the game isn't nearly as close.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:07 pm
by MSU Toddler
i think you are correct too. i guess i'm going back to last week and seeing how fired up sac st was coming out of the half compared to the Cats. i watched that first series after half and it was poor (3 and out, lost yards, penalty). it just seems there is a consistent theme of lack of focus now and then. when more then one player is not focusing - i guess that is why i'm looking to the coaches. total armchair guy here talking out my you know what - but don't you think you'd pull a team (i.e. defense) to the side when up by 10 and say "focus, bend but don't break and put them away"? which to their credit they did when it was 38-35 and isu had the ball.
then again, maybe i'm wrong....
it is going to be a great game to watch when the Cats click on all cylinders, make no mistakes and are unrelenting.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:10 pm
by SonomaCat
That missed tackle really did hurt. Absent that, the game probably is a snoozer at then end. It made the TV guys happy, though.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:17 pm
by bozbobcat
I should also add that Clive Lowe had a great game today. I forgot that in my original analysis. I'll also add that the door really needs to be shut at the end of games; there should be no more holding on at the bitter end.
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:45 pm
by Griz Dude
Guess I was not a jinx after all, huh Cat fans?
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:05 pm
by Platinumcat
Griz Dude wrote:Guess I was not a jinx after all, huh Cat fans?
Thanks only to Helenacat95 and his anti-jinx actions.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 12:43 am
by Belgrade Big Dog
Great road win guys. There was a great contingent of vocal CAT fans present. Fun trip all around. Any word on the ISU player that was taken away in an ambulance? Our prayers are with him.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:40 am
by Blue and Gold
In addition to the yards lost to special teams penalties and mistakes the momentum we lose during crucial game periods is killing us. Just when we are ready to break out, it seems we take a mental vacation.
Perhaps the age (youth) of our special teams is responsible. Coach Kramer was doing his best to "settle" this group before each exchange.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:15 am
by HelenaCat95
barechestcat wrote:Griz Dude wrote:Guess I was not a jinx after all, huh Cat fans?
Thanks only to Helenacat95 and his anti-jinx actions.
You're welcome.
Although I may need a liver transplant, and my lungs need a break.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:29 pm
by Weltercat
I too want to thank the players and coaches for that outstanding effort at Idaho State, awesome job guys!
In spite of the points that were put on the board our defense was stellar. This is the game that truly concerned me. Idaho State is always a really tough place to win. In that dome on that surface is a huge home field advantage for them. This game really worried me because I knew their offense was going to put up big numbers even on our good defense and I was not sure our offense was capable of scoring over 40 points.
I actually think the cats match up better against the fiz than they did against ISU. Montana may beat ISU in Missoula but I doubt that they would beat them in pokey.
Again, great job fellas! If we clean up the special teams I don't see anybody beating the cats if they come ready to play.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 6:19 pm
by WalkOn79
I didn't get to see your second half. It was close... but the final score looks like you guys locked er' down. What adjustments did you make. Oh, and I hear Altitude Sports cut the last part of the game for the NHL.
Gay... I'd be pissed if I were you guys.[/quote]
We got to see the entire game here on Altitude. Maybe they cut the postgame, but I saw the clock run out.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:31 pm
by torrybruce
PapaG wrote:MSU Toddler wrote:to the players and coaches - great road win. thanks for making it thrilling.
i have to agree with the notion that the Cats have a tough time playing with the lead. to me, this is coaching and play calling. i'm not here to bash the coaches, but to say i hope they learn from each game as well.
the things i think it scary good about these Cats is that they are getting better with each week with regards to areas of concern (id'ed here numerous times from the prior game --- i.e. punting game, offense moving the ball, etc).
good win against a good offensive-minded team. no let downs against weber next week (fans included - rock the stadium).
That happened early in the first quarter. I think it was Kory Austin both times, but he had a chance to push them outta bands and just gave them a nudge and they walked the line and stayed in bounds. The best tackler on any team is that sideline...USE IT!!!
It had more to do with the inability to run the ball consistently today IMO. That would have bled the clock, and that is something the 'Cats typically excel at. Plus, about three 'Cats gave up on a tackle late in the game and allowed the ISU receiver to run about 60 more yards after catching a 3rd down pass.
I'm not sure how that is coaching. The ISU receiver faked going out of bounds, the 'Cat D relaxed, and down the field the Bengal sprinted. Tackle the guy, the game isn't nearly as close.
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:58 pm
by soldier668
Good game, still lots of areas to improve on, but we seem to be hitting our stride on offense. Rolo is a much much better qb IMO than Carp, he finds the downfield recievers, still a bit int prone though. One thing that is pissing me off on D is that whenever we get the lead, well actually on both sides of the ball we aren't as dominant as we should be. Some of that comes from the adjustments that the other team makes but some of ISUs big plays in their last several drives were because we go into a prevent style defense which is the worst designed defense in football history IMHO. We're willing to give the the middle of the field which was where that long pass play down the sidelines started out at short pattern, I don't think we should change our style when it's working. We also give up on alot of our blitzs when we get the lead, which I think is stupid. With qbs like ISU's you need to be in their face or they'll pick you apart no matter how many men you have on coverage. On offense when we get the lead we don't run the ball as strongly as we should be. I noticed on the play calling yesterday when we got that lead on the next several drives when we had the ball, we would run on first down, get 3 yards, then pass the next couple and get incompletions. If we would stop deviating our game plan when we get the lead I think we would absolutely dominate some of these close games. Anyway, good win CATS, keep it rolling.