North Dakota 17 Montana State 15 [recap]
Yesterday was a tough one for Bobcat fans. There were a lot of positives and the Cats damn near came away with a win, which is all that matters in the end. The only problem is that we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday and I’d bet I’m not the only Bobcat fan who’s pissed off this morning.
I’m not really a glass-half-full type of guy (Editor’s Note: major understatement) , but I’ll go against the grain this morning and start with the positives.
- Our defense played a whale of a game. Sure, we gave up some rushing yards, but we were put in some tough situations throughout the game and came in big several times, forcing field goals that were eventually missed. We shut down the passing game and didn’t surrender a TD through the air. Any time you can go into the fourth quarter with a lead or a chance to take the lead you can’t complain. We gave up 44 points to this team last season, so yesterday’s performance has to be seen as a marked improvement.
- Our kicking game was solid. Gabe Peppenger was true on all three of his FG attempts; even punching one through from 44 yards out. His leg kept us in this game.
- Kevin Kassis is going to be special. He’s shifty, sure-handed and carries an impressive confidence for a true freshman.
- As if there were ever any question, Chad Newell is an absolute beast. Not only did he come back from what looked to be a gruesome hyperextension of his left knee, he reached the century mark behind an offensive line that dealt with multiple blitzes and a loaded box all game long. Newell and the hogs up front showed up big yesterday.
Now for the areas of improvement.
- Tyler Bruggman has to be replaced. Through four games he has shown that he is incapable of throwing the ball deep, he is unwilling to escape the pocket and he is unable to release the ball with any zip. He absolutely killed us yesterday with turnovers and his lack of mobility made life miserable for our offensive line and running backs. He simply is not a threat to run the ball or make accurate, timely throws. WE MUST PLAY SOMEONE ELSE AT QB.
- Our offensive coordinator is who we thought he was. When he was hired this offseason it was a bit of head scratcher. Jeff Choate had just made waves across the conference by stealing (or taking, if you’re a Griz fan) Ty Gregorak. We landed Montana-legend, Matt Miller, we plucked a former NFL defensive back in Gerald Alexander, we snagged two great coaches from the Frontier Conference ranks in Brian Armstrong and B.J. Robertson and we retained one of the greatest Bobcats of all-time in Kane Ioane. Literally a who’s who of coaches. Then we hired Courtney Messingham as our OC and most of Bobcat Nation went, “Huh?” Sure we’ve been spoiled with guys like Tim Cramsey and Dakota Prukop and Brian Wright and DeNarius McGhee, but we’ve taken a serious step back. We’re boring on offense. We’re bland and vanilla and stale and predictable. Our quarterback and our coordinator are putting too much pressure on our defense and we’ve only been explosive against a D-II squad. It’s not working and it needs to be fixed because we can be a playoff team this season. We don’t have to wait until next year; we’re one quarterback away from being a goddamn good football team. Thanks a lot Dakota.
- Gunnar Brekke is not the same running back he once was. He has clearly gained some weight and as a result, lost some speed. We do not have the “thunder and lightning” package we thought we would in Newell and Brekke. We have a “thunder and thunder” package and sorely need a shifty, quick, explosive compliment to Chad Newell.
- Finally, game time temperature yesterday according to the National Weather Service was 55 degrees. Maybe a bit chilly for the fans, but otherwise perfect weather as a player. Well, we had at least two guys on defense dressed as if a subzero cold front had descended upon Bobcat Stadium. Cornerback Tre’von Strong sported full sleeves with a head and neck warmer and linebacker Blake Braun wore a hand warmer around his waist! Fellas, are you F*&%ING KIDDING ME?!? Toughness was once a cornerstone of Bobcat Football. We used to pride ourselves in being the toughest, baddest dudes on the field. Our former o-line coach, Jason McEndoo, used to wear short sleeves to playoff games in NOVEMBER. Your head coach rocked a short-sleeve, button-up polo! And you two pull out the cold-weather gear in SEPTEMBER? I was embarrassed for you. This is Montana. September is for short-sleeves and smash mouth football. May God have mercy on your poor, warm-blooded souls if we make the playoffs and you have to strap it up for a night game in a snow-covered Bobcat Stadium this November. Toughen up and figure it out!
The Cats played well enough to win yesterday and that is what pisses me off the most this morning. We should be 3-1 and 1-0 in conference. Actually, we should be 4-0! We’ve lost two games by five goddamn points. Those losses have to be squarely placed on the shoulders of Courtney Messingham and Tyler Bruggman. Courtney, it’s time to mix it up! We need a new QB. One with swagger and flash and quickness, one named Chris Murray. This team deserves a playoff football game. J.P. Flynn, Chad Newell and the rest of the senior Bobcats got burned when their “teammate” bolted this offseason. It’s your job to make the common sense move and get our offense headed in the right direction. Go Cats!
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About the Author
Minty Coach A proud native of Great Falls, Coach now resides in Missoula, however he's a Bobcat to the core.
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