NDSU at Montana - Game Thread

[Brock Landers]

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't eventually see going for it on 4th down become the new norm, especially as the rule changes favor the offense more every year. Keeping the playbook opened up for 50% longer, and dropping the number of yards you need per play to 2.50, and ramping up your number of offensive snaps...

[93henfan]

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't eventually see going for it on 4th down become the new norm, especially as the rule changes favor the offense more every year. Keeping the playbook opened up for 50% longer, and dropping the number of yards you need per play to 2.50, and ramping up your number of offensive snaps...

Pretty much anything past the Eagles' own 40 is a potential go-for-it-on-fourth-down situation for Chip Kelly, and it's exciting as hell.

[BDKJMU]

Was this game already played? Who won?

You missed one of the best games of the season.

Yep, it was definitely the best by far of all he games played so far...

[kalm]

Agreeing with d1b

I was scratching my head with Stitt's calls the whole game
When he kicked the 3 at the end of the game I thought Okay maybe onside kick…nope
After that I said to my seat mates that all the stars will have to align to have his plan work

They did align…with the help of the NDSU play calling

He’s a hero today but a lucky hero…could have been a zero very easily
I want him to succeed but his philosophy will lose us a close game down the road

I think he was working to psychologically shape this team
If everybody buys in to the insanity - it turns out to be not that insane

Many sports (Football included) have some old philosophical / ideological practices
That statistically don't actually make any sense

In Baseball the sacrifice bunt to move runners over is statistically PROVEN to be less effective
Yet MLB coaches still use it to no avail - completely ignoring the FACTS

This coach is going to challenge every idea



Get ready

I'm totally getting ready. Getting ready for the unbareablness of Griz fans this season. We need an unbareable emoji.

[Grizalltheway]

I think he was working to psychologically shape this team
If everybody buys in to the insanity - it turns out to be not that insane

Many sports (Football included) have some old philosophical / ideological practices
That statistically don't actually make any sense

In Baseball the sacrifice bunt to move runners over is statistically PROVEN to be less effective
Yet MLB coaches still use it to no avail - completely ignoring the FACTS

This coach is going to challenge every idea



Get ready

I'm totally getting ready. Getting ready for the unbareablness of Griz fans this season. We need an unbareable emoji.

All I have left to say about this game is I hope JSO and BDK enjoyed watching a finesse, hurry up team beat a smash-mouth, 3 yards and a cloud of dust one.

[D1B]

I'm totally getting ready. Getting ready for the unbareablness of Griz fans this season. We need an unbareable emoji.

All I have left to say about this game is I hope JSO and BDK enjoyed watching a finesse, hurry up team beat a smash-mouth, 3 yards and a cloud of dust one.

NDSU wins 6 of 10 at Wash Griz. 8.5 of 10 neutral site. 10 of 10 in Fargo.

[JohnStOnge]

All I have left to say about this game is I hope JSO and BDK enjoyed watching a finesse, hurry up team beat a smash-mouth, 3 yards and a cloud of dust one.

I did enjoy the game but let me know when a finesse, hurry up team wins four national titles in a row.

You also have to avoid getting carried away. One thing I thought of in the aftermath is how happy I felt when, at a time when Appalachian State was looked at as kind of the top FCS program of the period, McNeese went on the road and beat the Mountaineers in an early season game at Boone. Then at the end of the season when it really counted they got blown out at home by New Hampshire in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile Appalachian State got to the semifinals before losing a nail biter at Montana.

There's a LONG way to go.

[JohnStOnge]

This is the beauty of FCS. If this was FBS, NDSU would already be in the doldrums with no shot at the title.

But even with a season opening loss (and even one or two in the MVFC) they still have a shot

Yeah, like Ohio State was last year.

Here's the thing on that issue: NDSU still controls its own destiny. It doesn't have to rely on being selected by a committee. Last year, Ohio State was fortunate enough to get selected. Baylor was not even though it was a major conference champion just like Ohio State was and had one loss just like Ohio State did.

If NDSU wins the MVC, NDSU is in the tournament. That's the difference.

[Chizzang]

All I have left to say about this game is I hope JSO and BDK enjoyed watching a finesse, hurry up team beat a smash-mouth, 3 yards and a cloud of dust one.

NDSU wins 6 of 10 at Wash Griz. 8.5 of 10 neutral site. 10 of 10 in Fargo.

Conjecture and hypothesis ^ is fun and all - but they actually played the game already...
Removing all the guess work

[Grizalltheway]

NDSU wins 6 of 10 at Wash Griz. 8.5 of 10 neutral site. 10 of 10 in Fargo.

Conjecture and hypothesis ^ is fun and all - but they actually played the game already...
Removing all the guess work

No shit. And how exactly does one win half of a game?

[Chizzang]

I'm totally getting ready. Getting ready for the unbareablness of Griz fans this season. We need an unbareable emoji.

How about a RED football field - at an empty stadium..?
is that unbearable enough for you..?



abomination

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

I'm totally getting ready. Getting ready for the unbareablness of Griz fans this season. We need an unbareable emoji.

How about a RED football field - at an empty stadium..?
is that unbearable enough for you..?



abomination

One of these days I am going to have to go see that abortion in real life. The Field in Boise looks terrible on the TV but when you are actually on the turf itself, it isn't bad at all. I am wondering if the red turf is as bad in person as it is on the TV.

[D1B]

NDSU wins 6 of 10 at Wash Griz. 8.5 of 10 neutral site. 10 of 10 in Fargo.

Conjecture and hypothesis ^ is fun and all - but they actually played the game already...
Removing all the guess work

Appreciate, always, your astute commentary, but I'm trolling for Missoula Gray Marlin today.

[D1B]

Great win no doubt, but it was handed to you, and you barely cashed it in.

Bison drew the short straw and had to play against your vaunted new offense first. Now every Griz opponent has seen it. Sure it may get better, but teams will also be better prepared for it.

By the time you play NDSU or ILSU, it will be just another scheme, and you still have to play defense.



See how that works?

Their defense did not have a poor game schematically, but the athleticism and size we have at WR led to a lot of big plays. The rest of the teams we face will have to deal with that same athleticism and size, and good luck with that.

See how that works?

So those receivers are the key? Ok.

They played very conservative on D, IMO.

[D1B]

They sure did, but NDSU's coaches bailed em out with poor play calling (playing not to lose vs playing to win) and piss poor game management.

When it counts in the playoffs I would still give the edge to NDSU. Those kids are battle tested in big games and they'll make adjustments. Most em have played in at least one NC. Griz haven't won a NC since the Nixon Administration.

Since 2004, and just your mother so I guess .693 women.

My mother speaks fondly of you.

[Mvemjsunpx]

No, they did not win the turnover battle-2 lost fumbles to Montana's 1 INT.

NDSU did win turnovers 3-2. You're forgetting Gustafson's fumble (after review) and the botched hook & ladder.

[Grizalltheway]

Their defense did not have a poor game schematically, but the athleticism and size we have at WR led to a lot of big plays. The rest of the teams we face will have to deal with that same athleticism and size, and good luck with that.

See how that works?

So those receivers are the key? Ok.

They played very conservative on D, IMO.

They're certainly an important part of it. Jones and Henderson regularly drew double coverage in the old offense, but that doesn't really work when there's two other good receivers on the field every down. Add in a solid running back who can also catch passes and there's a lot for a defense to account for.

[D1B]

Yeah, like Ohio State was last year.

Here's the thing on that issue: NDSU still controls its own destiny. It doesn't have to rely on being selected by a committee. Last year, Ohio State was fortunate enough to get selected. Baylor was not even though it was a major conference champion just like Ohio State was and had one loss just like Ohio State did.

If NDSU wins the MVC, NDSU is in the tournament. That's the difference.

Thanks Captain St.Obviouse.

Was addressing the "one loss and out" comment, which is obviously incorrect. He may be partially correct, but that don't cut it in the cut throat world of football message board posting.

[kalm]

I'm totally getting ready. Getting ready for the unbareablness of Griz fans this season. We need an unbareable emoji.

How about a RED football field - at an empty stadium..?
is that unbearable enough for you..?



abomination

Red turf smack? Empty stadium smack? We've averaged a sell out since the last time I heard that shit.



It think it was 2010. Then something happened...

[kalm]

How about a RED football field - at an empty stadium..?
is that unbearable enough for you..?



abomination

One of these days I am going to have to go see that abortion in real life. The Field in Boise looks terrible on the TV but when you are actually on the turf itself, it isn't bad at all. I am wondering if the red turf is as bad in person as it is on the TV.

I drove past it today and it's even more beautiful in person.

If you can believe that...

[clenz]

"I remember that one time our stadium was full....and was probably 60% the other team"

[Vidav]

How about a RED football field - at an empty stadium..?
is that unbearable enough for you..?



abomination

Red turf smack? Empty stadium smack? We've averaged a sell out since the last time I heard that shit.



It think it was 2010. Then something happened...

What is the capacity?

[kalm]

"I remember that one time our stadium was full....and was probably 60% the other team"

There was a time where the # of montana fans approached 40% of the total...it's true.

It was not during that game or any game since. (Much the same as their success on the field compared to ours)

In fact, the attitude of montana fans when they found Roos Field tickets harder to come by, resembled this classic painting by Gary Larson...

[kalm]

Red turf smack? Empty stadium smack? We've averaged a sell out since the last time I heard that shit.



It think it was 2010. Then something happened...

What is the capacity?

Capacity is full. That's all you need to know.

Stadium smack is the last refuge of a hopefull has been... or scoundrel. Whatever the case may be.

[AZGrizFan]

NDSU just has to be kicking themselves. They had so many chances to put it away & they bungled it every time. With the ball up 4 and 2:30 to go, they can't even force Montana to use a single timeout.

Montana's second-half defense was the real key to this win. Allowing just 7 points against a really good offense after giving up 28 in the opening period was quite impressive.

Similarly, Montana has to be kicking themselves for having to settle for 3 FG's in the red zone, otherwise this game wouldn't have been close at the end and no need for heroics.