Opportunity presented itself before the game even started for the Grizzlies tonight, but unfortunately Griz were unable to grasp it. Our woes on the road with our offense reared its ugly head again – the Griz were averaging 13.3 on the road and even though they were playing against a much worse defense, they could only muster 14 points until about 6 minutes left in the game – they do tack on a later TD and are now at 21. Meanwhile the defense put forth a valiant effort but couldn’t do enough – mostly having major issues keeping Poly’s QB Brown under wraps. A few good plays would be followed up with a mistake – and Poly made them pay.
This season isn’t over yet, but it’s on the ropes and we’ll need much much more if there’s plans to get into the playoffs. This game was the warm-up for 3 more offenses that will only be more difficult than this one. The Griz need to re-group and do it fast.
Going back to my scouting report, here is what I said must be done for a win:
1. Score some damn points. Nope, didn’t do it. Piled up some yards early but were totally shut out in the 2nd half by a defense that’s not shown much. JJ had time but suddenly sacks started piling up, over-throws, negative yard plays. The tipping point was when the Griz stopped Poly on their side of the field, momentum was on our side, but the possession was wasted and the Griz had to punt.
2. Win in the red zone. Nope. Poly was perfect in the RZ, Montana just 1 trip.
3. Clean up tackling. Had some moments but then some lapses. No team is perfect in tackling and there were quite a bit of good stops. But the missed tackles at the wrong times – especially on Brown were very very costly.
4. Don’t let Brown run wild. That’s exactly what he did and the Griz had no answer.
5. Watch the deep ball. Defended well but on one play when Hermanson under-cuts a throw on a 3rd and long which sets up a Poly TD that blows the game wide open
6. Control the clock. Nope. Poly had its way with clock control. I posted that most of Poly’s wins came when they won in TOP. This game was more of the same.
7. More pistol-like offense for JJ. Worked in the 2nd quarter but fell flat in the 2nd half. I’m at a loss right now with what will work moving forward.
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I’d suggested this game had upset written all over it, looks like I was right. The game was tied at the half and I was actually feeling good going into the 2nd half but that same old issue came up – Poly adjusted well and the Griz didn’t. Execution errors and negative yardage plays sunk us. The Griz were handed opportunities but couldn’t cash in. In addition to the short field, down 13 with the offense getting a little bit going they opt to punt on a 4th and 1 at the start of the 4th quarter.
I hope the injuries to Van Ackeren (concussion I assume) and Whitted (shoulder) aren’t too bad and we can see them back soon. Vital guys to our defense. Straham and Dallaserra hung in there but were over-matched as the game went on.
I liked how the offense was showing more willingness to be aggressive and attack down the field. It seemed like for a while JJ had time to throw too.
So where do we go from here? Well I’m sure fans will want to burn it all down, cut all the players, sell the stadium, change our team colors, fire everyone, and demolish the M on Mount Sentinel. But I’m not throwing in the towel on this team. These players and coaches have worked too hard for too long to have a bunch of turds on a message board quit on them. Jump off the bandwagon if you want but I’m not going anywhere. All is not well, things need to change, and no I don’t like seeing the Griz get beat either – but the most I can do is keep showing up and supporting these guys. That’s my plan. You all can do as you choose.
Griz need to dust themselves off. With Sac and EWU in the next two weeks they have time for two big signature wins/upsets and can get right back into this. Safe travels home guys, GO GRIZ!
, my bad.