The Bobcat Nation

I know it's hard to find anything positive after a Griz win but the Cats look like they'll be hard to beat next year.

Congrads on a decent season. Obviously it didn't turn out the way you guys would have liked but if the Eastern game had a different turn or two, things may have been different. The Cats are a much better team than the 6-5 record.

Next year, I say it's the Griz and the Cats playing for the championship in Bozeman and I'm looking forward to my warm Oly with some Cat brothers.

I thought the Cats didn't play their best game today....Don't get me wrong, I believe the Griz are better but I think the Cats have more talent than they displayed today. I don't think it was a lack of effort...just that they could have done better. That said, they did play hard-nosed, clean, and they didn't give up. In short, they are kids that you Cat fans can be proud of.

240+ yards rushing for the Griz - that's all ya need to know about this game.

The Griz just played better all game. I agree that the Cats could have played better - no matter what they said in the papers, I think it was clear that the last 2 losses really resulted in a mental let down today. Although, they competed and they didn't have stupid penalties (for the most part), and they didn't turn the ball over.

BUT - what a great dam day for a football game. We were in the north endzone, and lo and behold, I got a sunburn! Cool!

Congrats to the Griz -

Great posts, guys. Thanks for the class. I am glad that you could see the Cats didn't play their best today, because I know we were better than we showed today - but, the griz played great and had something to do with that. Pretty disheartening way to end the season by any account, though.

Right now, I don't know about next year. I do think that our offense looks like it will be good, especially if they don't wait until Halloween before turning it on. I just don't know about our defense, though. Right now, I am really, really worried - I just don't know that we have the talent we need back there, especially at the defensive line. Our coaches have a lot of work to do this offseason if we want to contend next year, because today proved that you don't get far without a good defense.

I agree. Great game today by the Grizzlies and Bobcats. An electric atmosphere in Washington-Grizzly Stadium -- and perfect weather for a November football game in Montana (atleast IMO) It felt real good for this Griz fan, but I give due respect to MSU. What was with Sullivan though before the game and kickoff swooping in and out of the Griz huddle? I'm glad the UM players ignored it -- we would have seen Pacers v Pistons part 2. Not saying that some of the UM players weren't talking trash either, I was just wondering why you would do something like that especially when you're outnumbered.

Did someone from Bobcat Nation bring the "Welcome to Washington Bobcat Stadium" sign? It was gone by the end of the 3rd lol

In all fun though, good luck to the 'Cats next season. Both teams played their hearts out today and MSU fans should be very proud of a great season for their team.

It's clear that the Cats didn't play to their potential today.

Maybe you guys left too much on the field in Bozeman after playing EWU.

As a Griz fan, I'll say that the Bobcat faithful that I met today in Missoula represented your program very well, and I thank you for that.

I also agree that the Bobcats didn't play their best game today...but give credit to UM...they just were a better team today...I really think the last game the kids still hadn't recovered from...and then to get up for the Grizz after that let down???? UM was just a better team yesterday..but we LOVE YOU BOBCATS!!!!!!! CATSALLTHEWAY!!!!!!

I wasn't as disappointed about losing as I was about how we lost. I didn't feel we gave the griz much of a game yesterday. I think the last couple losses took a lot out of us, maybe confidence wise as much as anything.

But you have to really compliment the griz. They dominated both sides of the line and that was really the difference. We could never stop the run and put little pressure on Oches all day. Just the opposite for us on offense-we had no running attack and Travis was under extreme pressure all day.

The griz seem to be peaking at the right time. It will be interesting seeing how they do in the playoffs as most "experts" feel the Big Sky is down this year. But if the griz get Cal Poly, they should easily win that game. Then they may get EWU at home and any home game in Missoula is a huge advantage. Who knows from there.

Well it looks like we don't get the opportunity to play EWU again unless we see them in Chattanooga. How cool would that be to have the national title game between to Big Sky teams?!

We don't have an easy road ahead. Northwestern State comes into town next week who we've played in the first round twice already before, and I'm confident in a Griz win next weekend.

If UNH can't pull the upset next week we may be headed to Statesboro, GA. Where we would have to play our best game of the season against a juggernaut this year in Georgia Southern. Eastern has a tough road ahaid too at #1 Southern Illinois.

I'm really surprised Cal Poly didn't make it in. I think they got screwed.

Time for the playoffs, go Eastern and GO GRIZ!!

I have to chime in my two cents. We got outplayed, plain and simple. I don't necessarily think the Griz have a better team, but they certainly played like it. Congratulations on the win, you deserved that one. Good luck in the playoffs, I might, MIGHT, even consider thinking about possibly considering the idea of thinking about rooting for the Griz. Did that make sense?

Nick wrote:Well it looks like we don't get the opportunity to play EWU again unless we see them in Chattanooga. How cool would that be to have the national title game between to Big Sky teams?!

We don't have an easy road ahead. Northwestern State comes into town next week who we've played in the first round twice already before, and I'm confident in a Griz win next weekend.

If UNH can't pull the upset next week we may be headed to Statesboro, GA. Where we would have to play our best game of the season against a juggernaut this year in Georgia Southern. Eastern has a tough road ahaid too at #1 Southern Illinois.

I'm really surprised Cal Poly didn't make it in. I think they got screwed.

Time for the playoffs, go Eastern and GO GRIZ!!

Cal Poly didn't get in? That is a travesty! They deserved to be in, Lehigh didn't. Wow, I'm fairly upset at that, they are a pretty good team. 9-2 and you miss the playoffs. I'm at a loss for words.

CelticCat wrote:I have to chime in my two cents. We got outplayed, plain and simple. I don't necessarily think the Griz have a better team, but they certainly played like it. Congratulations on the win, you deserved that one. Good luck in the playoffs, I might, MIGHT, even consider thinking about possibly considering the idea of thinking about rooting for the Griz. Did that make sense?

Heck ya it made sense! I was pulling for you guys last year in the playoffs! Anyway, we'll see what happens Saturday!

Outplayed...pure and simple. Hats off to the Griz, they came to play, and they did it well.
Both our Offensive and Defensive Lines did not play the type of games that we needed them to. Also, our tackling on Defense was not good ....heads down, not wrapping the arms etc.
Also, our Offensive Line may be pass blocking, but the second assignment after you have the guy blocked is to keep him engaged, so he can't block the pass. That was serious trouble for us against the Griz, and against EWU also.
I'm excited about our chances next year...but the defense has got to step up.
Great game Griz....you deserved it.

Thanks to the Bobcat seniors. You have helped build this into a good program. It's up to the younger guys to take it to the next level.

GO CATS.

If Lulay can show some more composure with pressure in his face, look out. Out of curiosity, what receivers are returning, or going to be featured next year? I think if Lulay had some more guys he could consistently throw to, the cats O would be damn near unstoppable.

Next year he'll be on the Payton list, and if the Cats make the playoffs under his guidance, he's got to be a top 5 candidate.

His accuracy is scary when he has time. My seats were at a perfect angle on the 4th down fake punt TD. Saw the ball go up, and just drop into the WR's hands, wow.

Re/Max Griz wrote:If Lulay can show some more composure with pressure in his face, look out. Out of curiosity, what receivers are returning, or going to be featured next year? I think if Lulay had some more guys he could consistently throw to, the cats O would be damn near unstoppable.

Next year he'll be on the Payton list, and if the Cats make the playoffs under his guidance, he's got to be a top 5 candidate.

His accuracy is scary when he has time. My seats were at a perfect angle on the 4th down fake punt TD. Saw the ball go up, and just drop into the WR's hands, wow.

You're basing his ability to throw under pressure on one game. More often than not, he makes those throws. I don't think it was the D pressure that flustered him as much as the crowd. Normally he can throw on the run, or right before he gets creamed with great accuracy. He just had an off game, although he still threw for 386 yards. Plus dropped passes didn't help us get into a rhythm right away.

Sullivan leaves, Gatewood and Guinn stay. Roosevelt will be back next year after tearing his ACL in Idaho (man is he fast). Also word is we have a pretty damn good receiver on the bench (Alley) who impressed fans in scrims but never saw anytime this year. Milton and Gathing (both were fighting for the starting job when both went down) will be back at RB, along with Domineck. Plus no OL leave. Wolf leaves, that is a bummer, he is a great TE.

Plus who knows if we'll get any transfers or not. Either way, I like our O next year. Should click right away and not get any losses that come back to haunt us, which would be a nice change.

D is where I get scared.

Sounds like Eastern's story this year, great returning O but a questionable D.

From what that sounds like, I wouldn't be surprised if MSU is picked to win the 'sky by the coaches next year, unless UM gets some transfers to fill our WR and QB holes.

I think the key to the defense next year will be avoiding the injury problems they had this year. It's not an excuse, because it happens to every team at some point, and this was just our year. With Hunter (assuming Hunter can play another year?) and E. Smith playing corner to go with Austin and Fuller, who I expect to be significantly improved with an entire season under their belts, and Force emerging as an extremely good player at safety, the secondary should be much better. Should be, but who knows whether it will be. The losses of Cooper, Gluhm, Clark, and Sebestyen are tough, but from what I've seen in scrimmages there are players ready to step up and take their place. Kramer seems to be extremely good at recruiting quality d-linemen and LB's.

On the offensive side, it's hard not to get excited about having Lulay, Gatewood, Guinn, Roosevelt, and perhaps most importantly (as long as they stay off the basketball court...leave that to the skinny guys in the tank tops guys!) the entire offensive line back next year. RB is a bit of a question although Domenick improved as the season went on...hopefully we get to see Milton at full strength next year.

I don't think it was the D pressure that flustered him as much as the crowd.

I don't think that was the problem. He didn't have a problem with it two years ago. I think he threw a few balls on a wire that got dropped and that shook his confidence. (Either that or else helped our D's confidence.)

Good game Cats. It was a fun one to watch. Even in the fourth quarter I kept thinking of all the come backs the Cats have had and didn't feel comfortable. That might have been one of the best games our D has played this year and the Cats still kept it close. Lulay is a heck of a player. If he has any running support next year he is going to be unstoppable. I didn't realize how good Cooper is. (I couldn't believe he caught Heidelberger once from behind. He has wheels.) I'm glad he's gone next year.

I'm not sure on the eligibility of Hunter, when was he injured? He is a senior this year, so I am curious to know if he got a RS this year from his injury or what the story with that is. Hopefully Smith comes back to be as good as he was projected earlier this year. Too bad that Fresno kid ruined his chance, he looked good in the scrims.

We do lose several key players on D, but we still have a solid DL and LB. Mollohan has shown what he's made of, and King was emerging, in my opinion.

My biggest concern is the running game. Our D can hold it's own, but only if we control the clock. WE NEED A SOLID RUNNING GAME. I'd kill for the Griz running backs! I have faith in Kramer to bring in some solid D players, and I look for our D to be about as good as it was earlier in the year, if not better.

All in all, I haven't been this excited for a new year of Cat football for a long time.

Hunter is back for sure, he never played one down this season - he got hurt early in fall ball, and I don't know that he had even used up his redshirt yet. Anyways, he will be back, and sorely needed. Eddie Smith was only a sophomore, so he still has two years - hopefully three if he can get a medical redshirt since he barely played this year. With these two healthy, our secondary will be much improved... not that it could get any worse. Right now, I think I am a lot more worried about our front 7 next year than many others are - we lose a lot of kids, who frankly didn't get it done this year. Next year if we are to have a chance, they will all have to play much better than this year's squad did.

More on this later when I have time to put my thoughts together and write out a complete synopsis...