Post game reflections: Northern Colorado

[Rjones61]

Can't get to a computer right now, but post your thoughts on team perdormancy here.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Offense=B(-): I thought we had some explosive plays to keep us in the game early, but overall the play calling seemed suspect at times. Gubrud managed the game well and posted some good numbers. He'll probably be this week's offensive MVP. (33/39 passing for 435 yards, 5 TD's, no INT's and 79 yards on the ground).

Defense=D: Massively inconsistent. Poor pass rush up until the 4th quarter when we got UNC to play behind. We also did a poor job of containing their RB's on the edge.

Special Teams=C: Our kicking game is suspect.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Offense=B(-): I thought we had some explosive plays to keep us in the game early, but overall the play calling seemed suspect at times. Gubrud managed the game well and posted some good numbers. He'll probably be this week's offensive MVP. (33/39 passing for 435 yards, 5 TD's, no INT's and 79 yards on the ground).

Defense=D: Massively inconsistent. Poor pass rush up until the 4th quarter when we got UNC to play behind. We also did a poor job of containing their RB's on the edge.

Special Teams=C: Our kicking game is suspect.

Offense another A. Gubrud carried the team. UNC played man with a free safety on Kupp yet Gubrud found plenty other places to go with the ball. I think the final tally was 650+ yards. Any way you slice it, that's a good offensive showing.

The defense gets a D. Gave up WAY too many yards and couldn't get off the field. The D seemed OK when they brought pressure, but UNC found just enough plays to burn them periodically. This seemed like a big regression against a team that looked terrible on offense last week. Lots of missed tackles, poor pursuit angles on the outside, and just otherwise not looking physical enough.

It wasn't a bad game overall, but we simply must find a way to show up in the first half. I have no explanation for why everything seems ugly early in games. We'll eventually play someone good enough to punish us if we only play 30 minutes of football.

 

[EWURanger]

Offense - It's an A for me. I don't think you can rack up that many yards (659) and call it anything but that. I thought Gage did a good job of managing the game, running when he needed to and making some really nice throws along the way. Not his best game, but a solid performance. Shaq Hill gets the game ball...he had a monster game. I'm concerned about all the injuries on the offensive line. Hopefully the bye week helps us out. We need Ellison, Schlichting, etc. back for MSU.

Defense - They get a D, strictly because I didn't feel like there were many times that they made a key stop that made a difference in the game. I could be wrong about that, but I just felt like they gave up a ton of yards and points and never really controlled the game until we got ahead. There's going to be a point where we're going to depend on our defense to win a close game and they need more improvement.

Special Teams - They get a D. Kicking was abysmal to the point where I honestly feel like we need to consider going for it on 4th down any time we're inside the 20 yard line. Punting was ok...not great. Kick coverage was also ok.

Attendance was 10,942...a season high. The fans get an A.

 

[ewueagfan]

This team seems to play to the level of its competition this year. I'm glad we found a way, but pissed that we keep coming out cold every game only to have to kick things into high gear in the second half. We have the talent to go far this season but we need to figure out how to put away inferior opponents early.

 

[Hambone]

We've had a brutal schedule so far this year and currently sit at 3-0 in the Big Sky and 5-1 overall with the only loss coming to the 5 time defending national champions in overtime. Ok, so it hasn't always been pretty but we continue to win, despite having to overcome injuries at key positions and an extremely young offensive line.

I'm pretty happy with today's performance and where this team is at overall. Most thought it would be another rebuilding year, yet look where we're at.

 

[LDopaPDX]

This team seems to play to the level of its competition this year. I'm glad we found a way, but pissed that we keep coming out cold every game only to have to kick things into high gear in the second half. We have the talent to go far this season but we need to figure out how to put away inferior opponents early.

Totally agree. However, we did the same in 2010 when we played just a tiny bit better than our opponents week after week, regardless of how bad the opponent was.

Since we have a rivalry with Montana State and that game likely means more to the kids than the last few we've played, I'd love to see us put it all together against them.

 

[clawman1]

I was impressed with how hard our guys performed every play. UNC is a better team than they are given credit for. Their QB is big, athletic, and a gamer. Their RB runs tough and sees holes quick.
Their defensive scheme was a good learning experience for our O. For those of you who didn't see the field, they only rushed 3 so had 8 in coverage. They used a three safety cover to prevent any big plays. That opened the running game for us. Cooper was double and even triple teamed as was KB, which opened the field up our other receivers. The biggest concern on O was two lost fumbles but Shaq made up for that with 4 TD catches - woo hoo!
It was obvious our conditioning and depth on the D-line wore their o line out by the 4th qtr.
If the team can continue to build endurance and charge up their batteries in the bye week we will be in good shape to sweep the MT schools.
Room for improvement- yes
Great performance!

 

[eaglesfootball]

wasn't a bad performance. we need to generate a better running game with our backs, but maybe that will come with more experience from our line. Defense seems to have taken a step back from where they were against UNI and NAU. why was Custer in street clothes?

 

[LDopaPDX]

wasn't a bad performance. we need to generate a better running game with our backs, but maybe that will come with more experience from our line. Defense seems to have taken a step back from where they were against UNI and NAU. why was Custer in street clothes?

Custer got a minor concussion; I think he was a gametime decision. Will Gram is also suffering from a concussion. I can't imagine they wouldn't be available for the next game.

 

[kalm]

When you go 33-39 for 5 TD's and 514 yards of total offense and the comments are related to how you "managed the game" and "it wasn't your best" , you must be pretty damn good.

 

[GoldenEagle]

When you go 33-39 for 5 TD's and 514 yards of total offense and the comments are related to how you "managed the game" and "it wasn't your best" , you must be pretty damn good.

+1

I wonder if his mediocre production in this game will get him dropped from the offensive player of the year discussion?

 

[dudeitsaid]

When you go 33-39 for 5 TD's and 514 yards of total offense and the comments are related to how you "managed the game" and "it wasn't your best" , you must be pretty damn good.

I agree with this. Obviously we are pretty spoiled. Heck, before the season, I would've been happy to be 3-3 right now pulling out close games and still having a chance to make the playoffs. We will probably always find something wrong to discuss on the boards.

That being said, I remember thinking at halftime that our stats looked strong, but the score didn't reflect our statistical performance. If we were able to turn those stats into the points we should have, we would have had a solid lead going into the half, not down at the half again!

The exciting thing about seeing the team not at it's peak is knowing there is more there. The disappointment is with seeing the team not fulfill it's potential, not that we are a bad team. If we overcome our injury issues, and we put together two solid halves of football each game, we will be very, very tough to beat!

 

[Rjones61]

Just going to echo what everyone has already stated. Offense did fantastic. Defense didn't look too good.

I think two things contributed to our defense's underperformance. Scheme and rampant holding. We already know we don't have a world beater defense. However, after halftime our coaches have at least been able to change their strategy to stop the other team. It's not just our offense that starts clicking after half, it's the defense as well. However, the coaches weren't as successful at making adjustments. UNC was about as successful in the first half as they were in the second. Hate to complain about holding when we already won the game, but it seemed that our line were always inches from the quarterback, but UNC was wrapping up and grabbing jerseys the whole game and got away with it. Without all that holding, UNC wouldn't have been able to take all those deep shots downfield that kept their games and hopes alive.

Apart from the missed kicks, special teams did okay. It seems every aspect of our special teams have improved, besides the kicks. I'm confident we'll get that figured out. However, we are kicking deeper, covering faster, returning further, and able to take the occasional gutsy play. Can't complain about that.

Having trouble deciding who I would give the game ball to this week. It's between Shaq and Gubrud for sure. Shaq has had a habit the last few years of losing his clutch in the big necessary plays. I have a few vivid memories of dropped balls that should have easily been caught and would have guaranteed a touchdown. I saw none of that from Shaq last night. Coop and Bourne were blanketed and Shaq was the next man up and wrecked UNC. Has a nice new record to keep when he leaves Eastern as well. Good on him. Gubrud improved every piece of his game in throws, timing, runs, and decisions. He looked top tier last night. If he continues to play like that all season, I foresee a very very memorable season.

Props to the UNC quarterback. He threw a great ball. UNC seems to do a good job recruiting quarterbacks. It's too bad they can't fill the other positions.

 

[Obzerver]

I will premise this by saying I know just enough about x's/o's on the technical aspects of football to hang myself. Amusing to see CK/KB dbl/triple teamed and the middle wide open. Hence, Baldwin and Co.exploited the middle of the field like Lucky and a ham sandwich. 100 yards rushing at the end of one and pass after pass across the middle was there for the taking...and take they did. Even the best teams have a brain fart and the miscues in red zone. They didn't smell that bad and I was never worried. GG looked like a senior in his prime A++ offense right there and what a treat it was to obzerve.

That UNC QB looked really good to me...some of the finest passes I've seen under pressure and on the run...and he could run (and take a hit)...boy howdy he could take a hit! He and RB were slippery...like Dopa and a bar of soap in the old gym.

Two possible pic 6's would have us praising the "D" and were just inches away from making big plays on "D"...just inches Ranger...just inches.

Aside from the thrill ride of the PKicking game (xp's now an added thrill of victory and missed xp's the agony of the feet) I thought the rest of the special teams did an outstanding job...really.

*I would personally like to thank Rjones for making it home in time to orchestrate the beginning of the turn around...any later and the game may have turned out different.
**I've said it before that the feeling of being behind at any time during these games, is the same feeling of Kalmness and confidence I had in the 2010 season.

***Stayed overnight and took in the EWU Womens Soccer game vs Weber on Sunday. They put on a clinic and I could see them going to the NCAA's (and making some noise)..see them in person or online if you get the chance!!

 

[ewueagle2010]

Offense: This might be the best offensive team we've ever had at EWU. Over 600 yards of offense for the 3rd time this season and another 49 points and we're still left thinking we left points on the field. We had 2 empty trips to the red zone with a turnover and a missed FG. The rushing game looked pretty good without Custer even playing and despite UNC using 4-5 guys just to cover Coop and KB, Gage still threw for over 500 yards. This team hasn't even reached it's full potential on O yet and that's pretty unbelievable.

Defense: Little bit of a regression this week, but UNC is better than most of us probably gave them credit for. They're not world beaters or even a top 3-4 Big Sky team, but their skill players were solid. I've excepted the fact that this D is not going to start holding teams to less than 20 points and dominating a game and that's okay, because it's not necessary. The key for this side of the ball is to get a couple turnovers per game and get some key stops. We dropped 3 INT's Saturday and ended up finally getting one at the end. Even if they pick off one more of those drops, we're looking at a 24 point performance. With our O, the other teams are going to get at least 12-15 possessions per game and so giving up 30 isn't probably as bad as it looks. To the eye test, this D is much improved from the last two seasons. They will bend and occasionally break, but they're most certainly better.

Special teams: Everything looked really good this weekend....except FG kicking. I'm worried about that more than anything costing us a game down the road. Our inability to kick routine XP's and 30-40 yard field goals is really concerning.

Overall: The bye week is finally here and even though it sucks not having a game this coming weekend, the timing is great! The exact half way point in the season and a chance to get healthier before a difficult stretch run through the conference. To be 5-1 at this point with the only loss being in OT in Fargo, I'm thrilled. This team hasn't yet put it all together for 60 minutes and are still a top 5 team. I'm not worried because I think the second half is going to really lock these guys in! Really looking forward to the possibility of some special moments to come.

 

[Rjones61]

I do what I can

:king:

 

[luckyintheorder]

Good analysis all around. We may be coming close to forming a "gestalt" entity with our comparative group think as fans.

Offense took what UNC gave them. The three high safeties was interesting (hard to see on the webcast) that they kept it up so long considering how well we ran the ball. Eventually broke down. OL play was GREAT considering the injuries and there was apparently a TE playing RT #61 (not on the roster). Not sure who it was, but the whole line put in the work.

Defense back slid the last two games early. Early in the season, DE's kept the edge and made plays to contain QB and allowed LB's and Safeties to make plays. The last two games had the DE's diving inside the tackles, LB's running into the line to be blocked by big bodies and CB's working to cover and maintain the edge (again, webcast only occasionally gives you a good look). When we get tired or try to do unnatural things, the D drops their head efforting too hard, when heads up play would would yield better results.

If it was me, would watch the Huskies last two games and see how their DE's push upfield maintaining outside contain until they have an angle to the QB, slows down the run and let's LB's and DB's flow to the play or stay in tight coverage. Nothing is ideal, but at this level with our talent we have the personnel to get this sort of thing done IMO. Don't think the Defense score is as bad as a "d" as this was scheme related (i.e. coaching), certainly the effort is there and this bye should help get them back on track.

Nothing I saw this week is a red light to the Eagles winning the BigSky. Getting healthy will go a long way to closing the season strong and making the run to the Natty. Super deep team, super on the field leadership, super coaching and super fans. So many positive waves, how can we lose.

 

[Rjones61]

It's a good think the Big Sky was nice enough to give us two bye weeks in a row! All that rest will be crucial for Montana.

 

[luckyintheorder]

It's a good think the Big Sky was nice enough to give us two bye weeks in a row! All that rest will be crucial for Montana.

:rofl: Gotta say, you are riling up our poster's who like to think every opponent can beat us if we don't beat ourselves. Not too early to start the MSU game evaluation.

MSU looked even more HAPLESS than UNC when I watched them Saturday.