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Re: Montana State GDT
Just watched the game on replay. One of the finest team wins I've ever seen. Of course the stars came out. ZZ - what can you say? Just incredible. He not only outran three DBs on that last touchdown, he gained on them, Sumner made some unbelievable throws in that weather, and that drive that ended with a touchdown to the young Landberg included two Sumner sideline throws to Wieneke and Schneider that you don't always see on Sundays in that kind of weather. That Landberg catch in the end zone was breakout stuff. Just a hell of a catch.
But more than anything this was a game of unsung heroes:
- Jacks special teams were better. This board was filled with special teams criticism last year. Jacks won every phase of special teams. Kudos to the coaching and the effort. Was a key difference in the game. (Butler and Wesley outgained the vaunted Johnson in both PRs and KRs).
- Aforementioned Landberg catch is noted. Just as important was his difficult sideline catch that helped keep a key drive alive.
- D played better than the 40 points given up. One play in particular sticks out. Austin LaBlance probably saved a touchdown on the series when it was 31-26 and MSU was driving when he ran down a screen pass from behind from the other side of the field. Just tremendous effort.
- Trevor Wesley had a great game, both in kick returns, and in key, touch, clutch catches.
- Sawyer averaged 42 yards a punt in that weather, and left two inside the 20.
- The holder and center on kicks should get game balls. The differential between how they set up Syrovotka - who I hope gets a real shot at kicking on Sundays - and how Montana State could not handle the exchanges in the kicking game was a real psychological and physical advantage for the Jacks. Can someone name these guys publicly?
- The linebackers had extraordinary games and, in conditions like this, that kind of play on that kind of field is extremely important.
- Finally, a shoutout to play-calling. Jacks seemed to run routes and call plays that were designed to be compatible with the weather. Why Montana State kept having their quarterback, with a sore left knee, roll left to try to complete passes, and why they stayed so long with cut-requiring misdirection in their running game with that footing is beyond me. Jacks' coaches called a better game.
Two favorite images of the game.
OLine perfectly walling off the entire right side of the MSU defense in that first long ZZ touchdown run. You can't draw it up better than that, and when they show it on the highlights, take a look at it.
And, Sumner running over to do the anti-cramp stretch for Wesley as the snow was driving down. Teamwork and brotherhood, no one above the team.
Just watched the game on replay. One of the finest team wins I've ever seen. Of course the stars came out. ZZ - what can you say? Just incredible. He not only outran three DBs on that last touchdown, he gained on them, Sumner made some unbelievable throws in that weather, and that drive that ended with a touchdown to the young Landberg included two Sumner sideline throws to Wieneke and Schneider that you don't always see on Sundays in that kind of weather. That Landberg catch in the end zone was breakout stuff. Just a hell of a catch.
But more than anything this was a game of unsung heroes:
- Jacks special teams were better. This board was filled with special teams criticism last year. Jacks won every phase of special teams. Kudos to the coaching and the effort. Was a key difference in the game. (Butler and Wesley outgained the vaunted Johnson in both PRs and KRs).
- Aforementioned Landberg catch is noted. Just as important was his difficult sideline catch that helped keep a key drive alive.
- D played better than the 40 points given up. One play in particular sticks out. Austin LaBlance probably saved a touchdown on the series when it was 31-26 and MSU was driving when he ran down a screen pass from behind from the other side of the field. Just tremendous effort.
- Trevor Wesley had a great game, both in kick returns, and in key, touch, clutch catches.
- Sawyer averaged 42 yards a punt in that weather, and left two inside the 20.
- The holder and center on kicks should get game balls. The differential between how they set up Syrovotka - who I hope gets a real shot at kicking on Sundays - and how Montana State could not handle the exchanges in the kicking game was a real psychological and physical advantage for the Jacks. Can someone name these guys publicly?
- The linebackers had extraordinary games and, in conditions like this, that kind of play on that kind of field is extremely important.
- Finally, a shoutout to play-calling. Jacks seemed to run routes and call plays that were designed to be compatible with the weather. Why Montana State kept having their quarterback, with a sore left knee, roll left to try to complete passes, and why they stayed so long with cut-requiring misdirection in their running game with that footing is beyond me. Jacks' coaches called a better game.
Two favorite images of the game.
OLine perfectly walling off the entire right side of the MSU defense in that first long ZZ touchdown run. You can't draw it up better than that, and when they show it on the highlights, take a look at it.
And, Sumner running over to do the anti-cramp stretch for Wesley as the snow was driving down. Teamwork and brotherhood, no one above the team.
), and tackling.
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