Title Game Observations

[tk69]

A few thoughts, most likely brought up in other threads, but 90% of this game was lost to coaching:

- 1st Half obviously doomed the Cats. Yes, giving up the 64 yard run to Cam was bad, but were only down 14-0 at the time. The 11 minute drive was the beginning of the dumb coaching. NDSU's strength was/is tackling, they were not going to give up the explosive runs. 3 yards at a time, which took up almost the entire 2nd Quarter ending in a FG decision on a 4th and 3 was stupid. If you're going to purposely drain the clock, you need to end with a TD given how your defense was playing up to that point. No doubt, demoralizing as well to the team.

- Cats then get a big stop, getting the ball back with 3:40 left at their own 38. After 3 plays they're at midfield and the clock is at 1:30 (3 plays in 2:10)....that's absurd, and horrible clock management. At that point, you've made the decision to play conservative and run out the clock for a FG at worst. Instead, coaches decide to play aggressive, run 3 plays in 14 seconds, and inexplicably go for it on a 4th and 5 at NDSU's 45. WTF!!?? But they kick a FG at 4th and 3 a drive earlier at NDSU's 14....completely inconsistent approach.

- NDSU then run 10 plays in 47 seconds.....on a defense that resembled a prevent which would even be acceptable if the drive started deep in NDSU's territory, but at midfield? Brain dead, and even the announcers were flabbergasted.

- 2nd half showed a completely different offense for the Cats, which was a head scratcher as well......why turtle up in the 1st half with their 3 yard runs, when the offense was capable of shredding NDSU all along.

- As great as Tommy was in the 2nd half, the missed pass to Rohan on that 3rd and 4 after having all the momentum and the opportunity to the take the lead was very bad. Rohan was wide open and Tommy threw it at his feet. You need to convert there.....that's the ball game.

- Defense after that drive reverted back to the same prevent they used in the 2nd Quarter.

- Lastly, may be nitpicking, but have someone, anyone back to field the last punt. This gives you at least a chance to run a final play, which I'd imagine would give you a much better chance, albeit small, as opposed to blocking the punt.

NDSU played great, but the Cats could have won that game if the 1st Half was approached differently.