Mellott's Progress

[technoCat]

With Chambers' graduation, Cat fans knew that this season was going to ride almost exclusively on Mellott. He would need to make progress as a passer and in terms of protecting his body and remaining healthy/available.

Six games in, here are the results to date:

68.7% completion rate (career best by 5.7 points)

9.4 YPA (career best by 0.4 yards)

12 passing touchdowns (2 more already than in previous seasons); 10.4% touchdown rate (career best by 2 points)

0 interceptions (matches 2021 when he only attempted 53 passes)

On 79 completions, no pass catcher exceeds 15 receptions; on 12 TD's, no pass catcher exceeds 4 touchdowns

Averaging 5.5 rushes per game, which is roughly half as often as last season-- still providing 7.3 YPC and 5 rushing TD's. In 2022, he was the leading rusher by over 200 yards, in 2023 he was 2nd by only 32 yards, and now in 2024 he's 3rd by 165 yards already through just six games.

His pass efficiency is 181.12, which is 3rd in the FCS behind Cam Miller of NDSU and Sam Vidlak of SFA (LOL).

Here is Tommy's projection based on this pace for the rest of the season:

158/230, 68.7%, 2162 yards, 24 TD, 0 INT, 66 rush attempts, 482 yards rushing, 10 rushing TD

That's good statistical progress and I don't think it's entirely due to playing weak competition. The progress I've noticed is his ability to get rid of the ball faster, his play fakes are sold better and he's more mature, meaning he gets down sooner when he runs and doesn't force things, which is something he's aways been pretty good at. I think these things are why his numbers are improving.

He really struggled with the blitzes that New Mexico was throwing at him in the first half of that week 1 game. He took 3 sacks.

Since then, they've really cleaned some things up-- 2 sacks in 5 games.

You gotta put at least 50% of that on the oline. I think Sain is getting a bit better at calling the line scheme but he's not to Perkins' level. I remember several blitzes that have come unblocked this year, there were several on the oline not blocking anyone.

[Lord Vigo]

With Chambers' graduation, Cat fans knew that this season was going to ride almost exclusively on Mellott. He would need to make progress as a passer and in terms of protecting his body and remaining healthy/available.

Six games in, here are the results to date:

68.7% completion rate (career best by 5.7 points)

9.4 YPA (career best by 0.4 yards)

12 passing touchdowns (2 more already than in previous seasons); 10.4% touchdown rate (career best by 2 points)

0 interceptions (matches 2021 when he only attempted 53 passes)

On 79 completions, no pass catcher exceeds 15 receptions; on 12 TD's, no pass catcher exceeds 4 touchdowns

Averaging 5.5 rushes per game, which is roughly half as often as last season-- still providing 7.3 YPC and 5 rushing TD's. In 2022, he was the leading rusher by over 200 yards, in 2023 he was 2nd by only 32 yards, and now in 2024 he's 3rd by 165 yards already through just six games.

His pass efficiency is 181.12, which is 3rd in the FCS behind Cam Miller of NDSU and Sam Vidlak of SFA (LOL).

Here is Tommy's projection based on this pace for the rest of the season:

158/230, 68.7%, 2162 yards, 24 TD, 0 INT, 66 rush attempts, 482 yards rushing, 10 rushing TD

That's good statistical progress and I don't think it's entirely due to playing weak competition. The progress I've noticed is his ability to get rid of the ball faster, his play fakes are sold better and he's more mature, meaning he gets down sooner when he runs and doesn't force things, which is something he's aways been pretty good at. I think these things are why his numbers are improving.

He really struggled with the blitzes that New Mexico was throwing at him in the first half of that week 1 game. He took 3 sacks.

Since then, they've really cleaned some things up-- 2 sacks in 5 games.

You gotta put at least 50% of that on the oline. I think Sain is getting a bit better at calling the line scheme but he's not to Perkins' level. I remember several blitzes that have come unblocked this year, there were several on the oline not blocking anyone.

And I won't claim to know the protections, but oftentimes a free rusher is the QB's responsibility by the rules of the protection-- he has to read hot and get the ball out. But your point is well taken.

[TomCat88]

With Chambers' graduation, Cat fans knew that this season was going to ride almost exclusively on Mellott. He would need to make progress as a passer and in terms of protecting his body and remaining healthy/available.

Six games in, here are the results to date:

68.7% completion rate (career best by 5.7 points)

9.4 YPA (career best by 0.4 yards)

12 passing touchdowns (2 more already than in previous seasons); 10.4% touchdown rate (career best by 2 points)

0 interceptions (matches 2021 when he only attempted 53 passes)

On 79 completions, no pass catcher exceeds 15 receptions; on 12 TD's, no pass catcher exceeds 4 touchdowns

Averaging 5.5 rushes per game, which is roughly half as often as last season-- still providing 7.3 YPC and 5 rushing TD's. In 2022, he was the leading rusher by over 200 yards, in 2023 he was 2nd by only 32 yards, and now in 2024 he's 3rd by 165 yards already through just six games.

His pass efficiency is 181.12, which is 3rd in the FCS behind Cam Miller of NDSU and Sam Vidlak of SFA (LOL).

Here is Tommy's projection based on this pace for the rest of the season:

158/230, 68.7%, 2162 yards, 24 TD, 0 INT, 66 rush attempts, 482 yards rushing, 10 rushing TD

That's good statistical progress and I don't think it's entirely due to playing weak competition. The progress I've noticed is his ability to get rid of the ball faster, his play fakes are sold better and he's more mature, meaning he gets down sooner when he runs and doesn't force things, which is something he's aways been pretty good at. I think these things are why his numbers are improving.

He really struggled with the blitzes that New Mexico was throwing at him in the first half of that week 1 game. He took 3 sacks.

Since then, they've really cleaned some things up-- 2 sacks in 5 games.

You gotta put at least 50% of that on the oline. I think Sain is getting a bit better at calling the line scheme but he's not to Perkins' level. I remember several blitzes that have come unblocked this year, there were several on the oline not blocking anyone.

Sain may not be as good as Perkins and he may not be the best player on the team, but I'd vote for him for the team MVP this year.

[Pecos24]

Tommy Touchdown represents all that is good about Butte America

He is seeing open WR better this year so far, esp. on RPO. He might have the best WR room he's ever had.

As we start what I think is the middle third of this season - it's time to kick it up a notch. Starting Saturday night.

The deep completion to Garrigan this last week was one of the better balls I've seen him throw.

This throw and the TD to Ty McCulloch, those were the throws I was most excited to see.

[VimSince03]

Tommy Touchdown represents all that is good about Butte America

He is seeing open WR better this year so far, esp. on RPO. He might have the best WR room he's ever had.

As we start what I think is the middle third of this season - it's time to kick it up a notch. Starting Saturday night.

The deep completion to Garrigan this last week was one of the better balls I've seen him throw.

This throw and the TD to Ty McCulloch, those were the throws I was most excited to see.

The best throw I've ever seen Tommy make was the 39 yarder across the middle just over the defender to Clevan Thomas in the 3rd quarter of last year's NDSU game. To me, that throw proved to me that Tommy IS capable of throwing dimes when he's locked in. 5 plays later Scottre gets stuffed on 4th and 2 at NDSU's 36 after we all thought he picked it up because it went to quarter break. When we got back from quarter break, NDSU had the ball. Even worse though is we then make an incredible defensive stand with a huge Nolan Askelson sack to get the ball right back...and then Tommy gets stuffed on 3rd and 1 on that awful call from Housewright at our 45 and we punt. They score, Chambers has a big run, he then takes two sacks to get us out of FG range, and then we lose in OT.

Sorry everyone I had to relive that one more time in the play-by-play. We literally had 7-8 opportunities to seal that game away and missed on every one of them.

[technoCat]

With Chambers' graduation, Cat fans knew that this season was going to ride almost exclusively on Mellott. He would need to make progress as a passer and in terms of protecting his body and remaining healthy/available.

Six games in, here are the results to date:

68.7% completion rate (career best by 5.7 points)

9.4 YPA (career best by 0.4 yards)

12 passing touchdowns (2 more already than in previous seasons); 10.4% touchdown rate (career best by 2 points)

0 interceptions (matches 2021 when he only attempted 53 passes)

On 79 completions, no pass catcher exceeds 15 receptions; on 12 TD's, no pass catcher exceeds 4 touchdowns

Averaging 5.5 rushes per game, which is roughly half as often as last season-- still providing 7.3 YPC and 5 rushing TD's. In 2022, he was the leading rusher by over 200 yards, in 2023 he was 2nd by only 32 yards, and now in 2024 he's 3rd by 165 yards already through just six games.

His pass efficiency is 181.12, which is 3rd in the FCS behind Cam Miller of NDSU and Sam Vidlak of SFA (LOL).

Here is Tommy's projection based on this pace for the rest of the season:

158/230, 68.7%, 2162 yards, 24 TD, 0 INT, 66 rush attempts, 482 yards rushing, 10 rushing TD

That's good statistical progress and I don't think it's entirely due to playing weak competition. The progress I've noticed is his ability to get rid of the ball faster, his play fakes are sold better and he's more mature, meaning he gets down sooner when he runs and doesn't force things, which is something he's aways been pretty good at. I think these things are why his numbers are improving.

He really struggled with the blitzes that New Mexico was throwing at him in the first half of that week 1 game. He took 3 sacks.

Since then, they've really cleaned some things up-- 2 sacks in 5 games.

You gotta put at least 50% of that on the oline. I think Sain is getting a bit better at calling the line scheme but he's not to Perkins' level. I remember several blitzes that have come unblocked this year, there were several on the oline not blocking anyone.

And I won't claim to know the protections, but oftentimes a free rusher is the QB's responsibility by the rules of the protection-- he has to read hot and get the ball out. But your point is well taken.

I think that is absolutely true if they overload and we don't have enough blockers but I'm talking about when they send 4 and our 5 block 2 guys and the other 2 come free.

[TomCat88]

Tommy Touchdown represents all that is good about Butte America

He is seeing open WR better this year so far, esp. on RPO. He might have the best WR room he's ever had.

As we start what I think is the middle third of this season - it's time to kick it up a notch. Starting Saturday night.

The deep completion to Garrigan this last week was one of the better balls I've seen him throw.

This throw and the TD to Ty McCulloch, those were the throws I was most excited to see.

https://skylinesportsmt.com/bobcats-cru ... ith-idaho/
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“He threw for 225 yards on 8 for 12 passing, but his most impressive plays were his play-fakes that set up his first touchdown throw to tight end Ryan Lonergan and another to wide receiver Ty McCullouch.

Both receivers were all alone and had no one within ten yards of them, which was reminiscent of Mellott’s throw to tight end Rohan Jones a week ago at Idaho State.

“Everybody’s going to bite on our run, so the more Tommy can conceal that, it just adds on to it being that much better,” McCullouch said. “I’ll be able to go see that on tape and see just how well he faked it but I’m sure it was great one because that safety did not move off that hash to his part of the field, so (the play fake) must’ve been really good.”

Head coach Brent Vigen has been working with his team’s passing game to get the ball downfield more and they did just that as Mellott also connected with Aidan Garrigan on a bomb that covered 56 yards…”

[TomCat88]

When Mellott completed that pass to Garrigan MSU had 264 passing yards and just 149 rushing.

[Lord Vigo]

With Chambers' graduation, Cat fans knew that this season was going to ride almost exclusively on Mellott. He would need to make progress as a passer and in terms of protecting his body and remaining healthy/available.

Six games in, here are the results to date:

68.7% completion rate (career best by 5.7 points)

9.4 YPA (career best by 0.4 yards)

12 passing touchdowns (2 more already than in previous seasons); 10.4% touchdown rate (career best by 2 points)

0 interceptions (matches 2021 when he only attempted 53 passes)

On 79 completions, no pass catcher exceeds 15 receptions; on 12 TD's, no pass catcher exceeds 4 touchdowns

Averaging 5.5 rushes per game, which is roughly half as often as last season-- still providing 7.3 YPC and 5 rushing TD's. In 2022, he was the leading rusher by over 200 yards, in 2023 he was 2nd by only 32 yards, and now in 2024 he's 3rd by 165 yards already through just six games.

His pass efficiency is 181.12, which is 3rd in the FCS behind Cam Miller of NDSU and Sam Vidlak of SFA (LOL).

Here is Tommy's projection based on this pace for the rest of the season:

158/230, 68.7%, 2162 yards, 24 TD, 0 INT, 66 rush attempts, 482 yards rushing, 10 rushing TD

That's good statistical progress and I don't think it's entirely due to playing weak competition. The progress I've noticed is his ability to get rid of the ball faster, his play fakes are sold better and he's more mature, meaning he gets down sooner when he runs and doesn't force things, which is something he's aways been pretty good at. I think these things are why his numbers are improving.

He really struggled with the blitzes that New Mexico was throwing at him in the first half of that week 1 game. He took 3 sacks.

Since then, they've really cleaned some things up-- 2 sacks in 5 games.

You gotta put at least 50% of that on the oline. I think Sain is getting a bit better at calling the line scheme but he's not to Perkins' level. I remember several blitzes that have come unblocked this year, there were several on the oline not blocking anyone.

And I won't claim to know the protections, but oftentimes a free rusher is the QB's responsibility by the rules of the protection-- he has to read hot and get the ball out. But your point is well taken.

I think that is absolutely true if they overload and we don't have enough blockers but I'm talking about when they send 4 and our 5 block 2 guys and the other 2 come free.

I can't recall seeing that.

[Catsrgrood]

Not sure where else to put this, but the numbers nerd in me got to thinking… so out of curiosity I went back through the play by play on the espn app for each game to tally the snap count for Tommy to see just how much he has actually played and sat so far this year.

Not counting FG’s or punts as offensive plays, just counting plays that a qb actually took a snap, this is what I tallied up:

The Cats have had 466 offensive snaps so far, averaging basically 67 plays per game.

Tommy has been on the field for 382 of them, or 82%.
Chance has taken 59 snaps, or 13%.
Jordan has taken 25 snaps, or 5%.

We’re averaging 67 plays per game, and Tommy has sat for 84 plays, so it’s roughly the equivalent of him sitting for 5 quarters of football so far.

I hope they can do that a couple more times this season yet and get Chance in for a few drives in a couple of games. There is only upside to getting the backup some real game reps while sitting your starter and not risking an unnecessary hit and injury.

The coaches have done a great job of that this year and it should pay dividends as we get later in the season.

[CodyCat]

Tommy has been absolutely elite this year. I just dont know how you can say he hasnt. Sure, I could have missed one or two. But the poorly thrown balls I have watched either in person, on TV, or on the replays have been due to pressure. Its honestly odd to me how much Tommy is flying under the radar. The kid is the best he's ever been. Think about that! Thats absolutely nuts. The dude is locked in and its truly special to watch. I do not know if the Cats will go 12-0. I dont know if they will win the Natty. But, watching Mellot be elite in 2024 is something I wont ever forget.

[Catsrgrood]

Tommy has been absolutely elite this year. I just dont know how you can say he hasnt. Sure, I could have missed one or two. But the poorly thrown balls I have watched either in person, on TV, or on the replays have been due to pressure. Its honestly odd to me how much Tommy is flying under the radar. The kid is the best he's ever been. Think about that! Thats absolutely nuts. The dude is locked in and its truly special to watch. I do not know if the Cats will go 12-0. I dont know if they will win the Natty. But, watching Mellot be elite in 2024 is something I wont ever forget.

100% agree. I guess that’s kind of one thing I take away from the numbers I just posted. His stats are essentially in 6 games, not 7. He has been incredibly efficient and dynamic.

[ike11ike]

Tommy has been absolutely elite this year. I just dont know how you can say he hasnt. Sure, I could have missed one or two. But the poorly thrown balls I have watched either in person, on TV, or on the replays have been due to pressure. Its honestly odd to me how much Tommy is flying under the radar. The kid is the best he's ever been. Think about that! Thats absolutely nuts. The dude is locked in and its truly special to watch. I do not know if the Cats will go 12-0. I dont know if they will win the Natty. But, watching Mellot be elite in 2024 is something I wont ever forget.

Looking forward to the retirements of the numbers 4...and 15...

[coloradocat]

Tommy has been absolutely elite this year. I just dont know how you can say he hasnt. Sure, I could have missed one or two. But the poorly thrown balls I have watched either in person, on TV, or on the replays have been due to pressure. Its honestly odd to me how much Tommy is flying under the radar. The kid is the best he's ever been. Think about that! Thats absolutely nuts. The dude is locked in and its truly special to watch. I do not know if the Cats will go 12-0. I dont know if they will win the Natty. But, watching Mellot be elite in 2024 is something I wont ever forget.

Looking forward to the retirements of the numbers 4...and 15...

A little piece of me dies every time I see Duchien (nothing personal) on the field.

[Cataholic]

Extremely impressive.

https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fcs ... dividual/8

[tetoncat]

Extremely impressive.

https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fcs ... dividual/8

McDowell 30th and Vidlak 4th on this list. Fife 15th, Grownoski 34.

[TomCat88]

Extremely impressive.

https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fcs ... dividual/8

BSC stats have Mellott at 182.5. MSU stats have Mellott at 182.16. NCAA says 181.58.



Miller was 5-13-0, 66, 1 TD vs MSU last year. A week later 13-15-0, 210, 1 TD a week later vs USD.
Mellott was 4-13-1, 67, 1 TD vs UM his previous game before ndsu when he was 13-17-1, 204, 2TDs.

[Lord Vigo]

T. Mellott, MSU: 90/130, 1203 yards, 69.2% completion, 9.3 YPA, 14 TD, 10.8 TD%, 0 INT, 5 sacks, 44 carries, 380 yards, 8.6 YPC, 7 TD

K. Visperas, EWU: 119/159, 1217 yards, 74.8% completion, 7.7 YPA, 11 TD, 6.9 TD%, 0 INT, 9 sacks, 51 carries, 188 yards, 3.7 YPC, 3 TD

L. Fife, UM: 97/145, 1142 yards, 66.9% completion, 7.9 YPA, 9 TD, 6.2 TD%, 0 INT, 8 sacks, 31 carries, 58 yards, 1.9 YPC, 4 TD

M. Hastings, UCD: 188/273, 2186 yards, 68.9% comp., 8.0 YPA, 16 TD, 5.9 TD%, 6 INT, 2.2 INT%, 14 sacks, 25 carries, -54 yards, -2.2 YPC, 1 TD

T. Pennington, NAU: 83/125, 924 yards, 66.4% completion, 7.4 YPA, 7 TD, 5.6 TD%, 0 INT, 12 sacks, 43 carries, 165 yards, 3.8 YPC, 3 TD

D. Chachere, PSU: 84/144, 1143 yards, 58.3% completion, 7.9 YPA, 9 TD, 6.3 TD%, 3 INT, 2.1 INT%, 9 sacks, 77 carries, 443 yards, 5.8 YPC, 8 TD

R. Munoz, WEB: 106/181, 1321 yards, 58.6% completion, 7.3 YPC, 13 TD, 7.2 TD%, 1 INT, 0.5 INT%, 10 sacks, 40 carries, 97 yards, 2.4 YPC, 1 TD

K. Tracy, ISU: 129/221, 1533 yards, 58.4% completion, 6.9 YPA, 11 TD, 5.0 TD%, 3 INT, 1.4 INT%, 4 sacks, 15 carries, 31 yards, 2.1 YPC

C. Conklin, SAC: 97/171, 1082 yards, 56.7% completion, 6.3 YPA, 13 TD, 7.6 TD%, 4 INT, 2.3 INT%, 3 sacks, 12 carries, 0 yards, 0.0 YPC

J. Wagner, ID: 66/132, 837yards, 50.0% completion, 6.3 YPA, 8 TD, 6.1 TD%, 4 INT, 3.0 INT%, 5 sacks, 24 carries, 48yards, 2.0 YPC

[technoCat]

Great breakdown! Looks like Chachere has more rushing tds doesn't he? Very interesting to look at though.

[TomCat88]

T. Mellott, MSU: 90/130, 1203 yards, 69.2% completion, 9.3 YPA, 14 TD, 10.8 TD%, 0 INT, 5 sacks, 44 carries, 380 yards, 8.6 YPC, 7 TD

K. Visperas, EWU: 119/159, 1217 yards, 74.8% completion, 7.7 YPA, 11 TD, 6.9 TD%, 0 INT, 9 sacks, 51 carries, 188 yards, 3.7 YPC, 3 TD

L. Fife, UM: 97/145, 1142 yards, 66.9% completion, 7.9 YPA, 9 TD, 6.2 TD%, 0 INT, 8 sacks, 31 carries, 58 yards, 1.9 YPC, 4 TD

M. Hastings, UCD: 188/273, 2186 yards, 68.9% comp., 8.0 YPA, 16 TD, 5.9 TD%, 6 INT, 2.2 INT%, 14 sacks, 25 carries, -54 yards, -2.2 YPC, 1 TD

T. Pennington, NAU: 83/125, 924 yards, 66.4% completion, 7.4 YPA, 7 TD, 5.6 TD%, 0 INT, 12 sacks, 43 carries, 165 yards, 3.8 YPC, 3 TD

D. Chachere, PSU: 84/144, 1143 yards, 58.3% completion, 7.9 YPA, 9 TD, 6.3 TD%, 3 INT, 2.1 INT%, 9 sacks, 77 carries, 443 yards, 5.8 YPC, 8 TD

R. Munoz, WEB: 106/181, 1321 yards, 58.6% completion, 7.3 YPC, 13 TD, 7.2 TD%, 1 INT, 0.5 INT%, 10 sacks, 40 carries, 97 yards, 2.4 YPC, 1 TD

K. Tracy, ISU: 129/221, 1533 yards, 58.4% completion, 6.9 YPA, 11 TD, 5.0 TD%, 3 INT, 1.4 INT%, 4 sacks, 15 carries, 31 yards, 2.1 YPC

C. Conklin, SAC: 97/171, 1082 yards, 56.7% completion, 6.3 YPA, 13 TD, 7.6 TD%, 4 INT, 2.3 INT%, 3 sacks, 12 carries, 0 yards, 0.0 YPC

J. Wagner, ID: 66/132, 837yards, 50.0% completion, 6.3 YPA, 8 TD, 6.1 TD%, 4 INT, 3.0 INT%, 5 sacks, 24 carries, 48yards, 2.0 YPC

Looks like Mellott is either first or second in everything except yards and sacks?